Tapenada pasta

Tapenada pasta or la tapenade can be considered a versatile food that can act as a stand-alone dish, snack or even condiment. The recipe for tapenade pasta was invented in France, and if you are thoroughly accurate, then this dish comes from the famous Provence. The historical region of Provence is located in the southeast of French territory. It is noteworthy that the cuisine of Provansk is distinguished by its originality and identity.

Many recipes of French cuisine, which later began to be attributed to the world culinary heritage, were invented in Provence. It is worth noting that in Antiquity the territory of the modern French province of Provence was inhabited by Phoenicians, Greeks, as well as Romans. The culinary heritage of ancient civilizations left a noticeable imprint on the gastronomic predilections of the indigenous people of the region. Tapenada pasta is ranked among the traditional dishes of Provence cuisine.

Tapenada pasta got its original name due to the Provence dialect or, so-called Occitan language, which is considered characteristic of the inhabitants of the south of France, as well as some adjacent Spanish and Italian territories. In the Provence dialect, one of the main ingredients of tapenada caper paste is called nothing more than tapenas or "tapen. " Tapenada pasta is a dish that uses black olives, capers, as well as anchovies to prepare.

All above listed ingredients of tapenade paste are finely ground and combined together. The result is rich black tapenade paste, thick in consistency, which, as a rule, is served along with crackers, bread or toast to the aperitif. In ancient times, tapenada pasta was spread on bread and considered a full-fledged independent dish. Currently, tapenada pasta is used as a snack, seasoning, or filling that is stuffed with poultry and game.

Interestingly, tapenada pasta has long passed from the category of dishes of Provence or French cuisine and has become an integral part of the rich and original culinary tradition of the entire Mediterranean region. Often in the past, tapenada paste was called "caviar for the poor. " This is due, first of all, to the fact that tapenade paste includes affordable and simple food products that even poor segments of the population could afford at all times.

In order to prepare a tapenade paste, you will need a culinary mortar or blender, in which you need to pre-grind olives, garlic, anchovies and capers. then all above listed ingredients are mixed with each other, olive oil, lemon juice, and also freshly ground pepper are added. Tapenada pasta is a great addition to meat, fish, as well as grilled seafood dishes.