Tapenade
Tapenade is a classic Mediterranean starter made with pitted Kalamata olives, garlic, fresh oregano and extra virgin olive oil. The Thermomix chops the olives and garlic evenly in seconds and emulsifies the olive oil into a silky spread. Ideal on toast, crostini or as part of an antipasti platter, ready in minutes with minimal washing up.
About this recipe
Tapenade Thermomix TM7 is the quintessential Mediterranean starter, ready in minutes and loved by anyone who enjoys bold, briny flavours. Made with pitted Kalamata olives, a clove of garlic, fresh oregano and extra virgin olive oil, this recipe delivers a silky, scoopable spread that rivals any deli version. Searching for quick tapenade recipes or an easy appetiser for your all-in-one kitchen machine? This one ticks every box. The TM7 chops the olives and garlic evenly every time, grinds the oregano to release its aroma, and emulsifies the olive oil so the mixture holds together beautifully instead of separating on the platter. Serve it on grilled crostini at a summer drinks party, alongside crudités at a festive buffet, or stirred through warm pasta for a speedy weeknight dinner upgrade. Because every step happens in one bowl, cleanup is minimal and the flavours stay vibrant and fresh.
Preparation tips
- Rinse the Kalamata olives briefly under cold water before use to remove excess brine; this keeps your tapenade balanced rather than overpoweringly salty, letting the oregano and olive oil shine through.
- For a chunky, rustic tapenade, use the zeer hoge snelheid setting in short bursts and check the texture between pulses; for a smoother pâté-like spread, blend longer and scrape the sides of the bowl down once.
- Store the tapenade in a sterilised jar covered with a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil; it keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to a week and tastes even better the next day once the garlic has mellowed.
Recipe variations
- Sun-dried tomato tapenade: replace half of the Kalamata olives with oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes and swap the oregano for fresh basil; this gives a sweeter, rounder spread that children usually prefer on crostini.
- Citrus and anchovy variation: add a few anchovy fillets, a pinch of orange zest and a squeeze of lemon juice for a Provençal-style tapenade with a festive, sophisticated edge, perfect for a holiday drinks board.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Built-in scale - The Thermomix weighs the extra virgin olive oil directly into the bowl for a perfectly balanced tapenade. [weighing]. [Built-in Scale]
- Chunky texture - TM7 chopping pulses the Kalamata olives and garlic evenly in seconds without bruising them. [chopping]. [Multi-Function]
- Fresh aroma - The grinding function of the Thermomix releases the essential oils of fresh oregano for maximum fragrance. [grinding]. [Multi-Function]
- Silky emulsion - The Thermomix whips the olive oil into the olive mixture so the tapenade stays stable and never separates. [whipping]. [Multi-Function]
- Even blending - Precise mixing on the TM7 folds salt and pepper through the spread for consistent seasoning in every spoonful. [mixing]. [Precision Control]
Ingredients
- garlic clove
- fresh oregano
- pitted Kalamata olives
- sea salt
- ground black pepper
- extra virgin olive oil