olive tapenade

The holiday season is always a busy time, but preparing edible gifts for your friends is a great gesture. If you are short on time, don't worry: you can make plenty of this olive tapenade in just minutes.

Give the garlic and onions a rough chop, and with a couple pulses on the food processor, you will have a tasty olive tapenade in no time. To jazz up and add a wonderful richness to this traditional spread, add a splash of Cognac or, if you aren't ready to splurge on fancy French brandy, you can easily substitute Champagne vinegar. Package the olive tapenade in small jars with festive labels and deliver it with a baguette and your favorite brie for a savory edible gift.

Get this incredibly easy recipe when you read more.

Who doesn't love a savory tart? For an afternoon brunch, I rolled up my sleeves to make a mouth-watering puff pastry tart topped with ricotta cheese, caramelized onions, and homemade olive tapenade. The anchovies are initially pungent, but once they reduce and caramelize with the onions, their flavor mellows immensely. If you're serving vegetarians, leave out the anchovies and salt the onions a little more heavily. The creamy ricotta cheese complements the crunchy crust and salty toppings. This tart is easily prepared ahead of time and then thrown in the oven to bake just before serving. Don't bother ordering a pizza; just make a savory tart at home. Keep reading for the recipe.