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If we can call a two-ingredient concoction a “recipe” — and I think we can since I make the rules here in ShockD land — this is my favorite no-brainer summer appetizer recipe.
Grab some cherry tomatoes out of the back yard or from the farmers market – pick up some yellow Sun Golds if you can find them – dollop on some tapenade, which is a fancy word for olive spread, and call it done. The natural sweetness of the tomato paired with the sharp, salty olive spread makes a party right there in your mouth.
I have a great recipe for tapenade if you want to make it yourself (a quick whirl in the food processor), but I won’t scold if you buy a jarred version. It’s hot out there; conserve your strength!
Allow cut cherry tomatoes to dry out a bit on a paper towel.
Use a baby spoon to spread the tapenade.
Make a lot of these. They are easy to pop into your mouth, and are addictive.
Recipe: Dorothy’s Tapenade Tomatoes
Summary: Cherry tomatoes dolloped with tapenade are the best two-ingredient summer appetizer ever! The sweet tomato paired with the sharp, salty olives is perfect!
Ingredients
- 1 basket cherry tomatoes
- 1 jar prepared tapenade (chopped olive-caper spread), or homemade tapenade
- For serving platter: 1 bunch fresh cilantro or Italian parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Using a very sharp, thin knife, slice cherry tomatoes in half at the equator. Lightly tap cut half on a paper towel to absorb extra juice. Spread each half with a small dollop of prepared tapenade (use a baby spoon if you have one handy).
- Rinse cilantro and dry in a salad spinner or roll in a paper towel to dry. Arrange leaves on a pretty serving plate as a bed of greens. Set each tomato half, cut side up, on the cilantro-covered plate. This helps the tomato halves set securely so they don’t roll around.
- Serve at room temperature.
- Make as many as you need, allowing 3-4 halves for each person.
Quick notes
You can find prepared tapenade, which is sometimes called olive spread, near the other jarred olives in a well-stocked supermarket. Trader Joe’s also sells a good version.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Diet type: Vegetarian, Vegan
Number of servings (yield): 8
My rating
Welcome to my kitchen, where the oven is always on, and the fridge is packed with delectables! 
3-4 per person? Now you tell me. I am officially a pig.
Lentil Breakdown,
You and me both!
Yummy and I have tapenade in the house!
Family,
This is an awesome use of tapenade. If you have any left over, toss with hot pasta!
these were incredibly delicious! and so cute!
Valentina,
Thanks!