Olive Paste Food

BLACK OLIVE PASTE

Steps:

• To pit the olives, you can use a cherry/olive pitter, but I've found that the olives frequently slip through the holes instead of just the pits.
• Another way to pit olives is to put them inside a folded kitchen towel and then bang on them with a mallet, cutting board, small frying pan, or whatever suits your fancy.
• Sure the olives get bruised, but what do you think is going to happen in the food processor?.
• Mixing raw garlic and olive oil provides an ideal breeding ground for the anaerobic bacteria which cause botulism.
• If I'm going to keep the paste around for a number of days, which I usually do, I'll mince the garlic, add it to the oil and then heat both in the microwave.
• I try not to cook the garlic too much in this manner- you just need to heat the oil and garlic up to 140 or 150 degrees for a while.
• Mix all of the ingredients in food processor.

OLIVE PASTE

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse to make a smooth paste of the olives, capers, garlic, and thyme(if using dried).
• Add the olive oil while the food processor is running.
• Season with black pepper and add the lemon juice(and thyme if using fresh).
• Enjoy!

PASTA ELIAS: OLIVE PASTE SPREAD WITH GARLIC (TAPENADE)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine all ingredients in the blender and blend for a few seconds until smooth. The paste will be slightly granular.
• Serve as a meze with ouzo or wine, accompanied by small rusks, crusty bread, breadsticks, and/or raw vegetables. Tapanade can also be used as a seasoning for fish or a topping. Note: Adjust amount of vinegar to taste. Classic olive paste has a sharp, tart taste.

OLIVE PASTE

Steps:

• In a food processor process olives with garlic until chopped. Add olive oil, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and puree again. Transfer to a jar, cover with oil and keep refrigerated or frozen for a couple of weeks.

OLIVE TAPENADE

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the green and black olives, anchovy if using, oregano, garlic and lemon juice and pulse, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed, until everything is a coarse paste. Drizzle in the olive oil while pulsing until combined.
• Serve with crackers or toast.

BRUSCHETTA WITH OLIVE PASTE, PEPPERS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Char red bell peppers over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Seal roasted bell peppers in paper bag and let stand 10 minutes. Peel and seed bell peppers. Cut bell peppers into 1/2-inch-wide strips.
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat) or preheat broiler. Grill bread until golden brown, watching closely so that bread does not burn, about 2 minutes per side. Spread 1 side of each bread slice with 1 generous teaspoon olivada. Top with bell peppers, then cheese. Season with pepper. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.