Tapenade (French pronunciation: [tapənad]) is a Provençal[1] dish consisting of puréed or finely chopped olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil[2]. Its name comes from the Provençal word for capers, tapenas (Occitan pronunciation: [taˈpenɔ]). It is a popular food in the south of France, where it is generally eaten as an hors d’œuvre, spread on bread. Sometimes it is also used to stuff fillets for a main course.
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Tapenade's base ingredient is olive. The olives (most commonly black olive) and capers are finely chopped, crushed, or blended. Olive oil is then added until the mixture becomes a paste. Tapenade is often flavored differently in varying regions with other ingredients such as garlic, herbs, anchovies, lemon juice, or brandy.
It can be used as an appetizer when served with crackers, crusty bread or crudités. It can also be used as a condiment.