Teresa's Recipes
Eggplant and Olive Tapenade Crostini
Dive into these exquisite crostini, where the rich, smoky flavor of roasted eggplant meets the briny goodness of green and black olives. Topped with fresh basil and garlic, these delightful bites are perfect as appetizers for gatherings or a savory snack for any occasion. Originating from Mediterranean cuisine, tapenade is traditionally a blend of olives, capers, and olive oil, but here we add a unique twist with roasted eggplant, taking this classic spread to a whole new level.
Ingredients
- 1 medium, diced Eggplant
- 1 cup, pitted Green olives
- 1 cup, pitted Black olives
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1/2 cup, chopped Fresh basil
- 3 tablespoons, plus more for drizzling Extra virgin olive oil
- 1, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds Baguette
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 6
- Dish Type: Appetizer
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 25g
- Protein: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Sugar: 1g
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, toss the diced eggplant with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread it out on a baking sheet.
- Roast the eggplant in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until it is tender and slightly browned.
- In a food processor, combine the roasted eggplant, green olives, black olives, minced garlic, and chopped fresh basil. Pulse until the mixture is well combined but retains a slightly chunky texture.
- On a separate baking sheet, arrange the baguette slices in a single layer. Drizzle them lightly with olive oil and toast in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy.
- Once the baguette slices are toasted, spread a generous amount of the eggplant and olive tapenade on top of each slice.
- Serve immediately as a flavorful appetizer or snack, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired.
Tips
- For an extra layer of flavor, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice to the tapenade before blending.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of olives or add capers for a more traditional tapenade flavor.
- If you want a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the tapenade mixture.