Ingredients

Makes 1-1/3 cup tapenade

　　8 to 10 anchovy fillets

　　1/4 cup milk

　　2 cups French or Greek black olives, pitted

　　1 tablespoon capers, drained

　　1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

　　1 clove garlic, peeled, green germ removed, coarsely chopped

　　Freshly ground black pepper - optional

　　6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

　　

Step 1

Place the anchovies in a small shallow bowl and cover them with milk. Let them sit for 15 minutes. Drain, quickly rinse with water and pat dry.

　　

Step 2

Place all the ingredients in a mortar and pestle (or in a food processor) and either mix or process to form a thick puree. With the processor running, add the oil in a thin stream until it is thoroughly incorporated into the mixture. Taste for seasoning, and adjust if necessary.

　　

Variations:

Step 3

To make Tuna Tapenade, poach 4 ounces fresh tuna in water seasoned with fresh thyme, garlic, shallot, and fresh parsley, until it is opaque, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the tuna from the poaching liquid and let it cool to room temperature before crumbling into the tapenade.

　　

Step 4

For Basil Tapenade, mince 1 cup fresh basil leaves and fold them into the tapenade right before serving.

　　

Step 5

For Fresh Thyme Tapenade, add 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves to the tapenade right before serving.