The Zesty Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Crafting an irresistible olive tapenade sandwich combines Mediterranean flavors with creamy textures that dance across your palate.

Salty olives mingle perfectly with tangy goat cheese, creating a harmony of bold ingredients.

Mediterranean culinary traditions inspire this simple yet sophisticated creation.

Crisp bread becomes the canvas for these robust flavor profiles.

Rustic and elegant, this sandwich offers a quick gourmet experience anyone can master.

Tantalizing aromas and rich ingredients promise a delightful lunch that transports you to sun-drenched coastal landscapes.

Unleash your inner chef and savor every delectable bite.

Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich That Delights

• Craft Quick Bites: Assemble these mouthwatering sandwiches in mere minutes, perfect for busy individuals craving gourmet flavors without extensive kitchen time.
• Boost Flavor Profile: Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like olives, capers, and tangy goat cheese create an explosion of rich, complex tastes that elevate a simple sandwich.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or adjust quantities to match personal preferences, making this recipe incredibly versatile for different dietary needs and palates.
• Impress Guests Instantly: These sophisticated sandwiches look professionally prepared but require minimal culinary skills, ideal for casual gatherings or unexpected company.

Ingredients for Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich

• Olives: Briny and rich Mediterranean fruit that forms the base of the tapenade.
• Capers: Small, tangy flower buds that add a sharp and salty flavor to the spread.
• Goat Cheese: Creamy and tangy cheese that provides a smooth contrast to the olive mixture.
• Baguette: Classic French bread that serves as the crispy foundation for the sandwich.

• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that adds depth and aromatic intensity to the tapenade.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus that balances and lifts the overall flavor profile.
• Olive Oil: Smooth liquid that helps blend and emulsify the tapenade ingredients.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance and round out the sandwich's taste.

How to Assemble Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich

Step 1: Blend Savory Olive Mixture

• Kalamata olives
• Green olives
• Capers
• Fresh garlic cloves
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Extra virgin olive oil

Pulse the ingredients until they form a coarse, textured blend with chunky olive pieces.

Step 2: Transform Bread Into Golden Perfection

Heat a skillet over medium flame and place thick baguette slices onto the surface.

Gently toast each side until they develop a beautiful golden-brown color and crispy edges.

Step 3: Layer Flavor-Packed Ingredients

Generously spread the olive tapenade across each toasted bread slice.

Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese over the tapenade, creating a creamy and tangy layer. Carefully press two slices together to form a mouthwatering sandwich.

Step 4: Serve and Savor

Present these Mediterranean-inspired sandwiches immediately while they’re warm and crisp. The combination of briny olives, sharp garlic, and creamy goat cheese creates an unforgettable taste experience.

Tips to Enhance Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich

• Swap green olives with kalamata for a richer, more intense Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Select soft, creamy goat cheese for easier spreading and smoother texture in the sandwich.
• Enhance the tapenade by adding fresh herbs like chopped basil or thyme for extra brightness.
• Toast baguette slices carefully to achieve golden-brown color without burning the bread.
• Prepare tapenade in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week to save preparation time.

Flavorful Twists on Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich

• Mediterranean Veggie Delight: Replace goat cheese with hummus and add roasted red peppers for a vegan-friendly version.
• Spicy Mediterranean Fusion: Mix in red pepper flakes or harissa paste into the tapenade for extra heat and complexity.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free bread or lettuce wraps instead of baguette for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Incorporate fresh herbs like basil or oregano into the tapenade for enhanced Mediterranean flavors.

Pairings That Complement Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich

• Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the briny olive tapenade and cuts through the creamy goat cheese.
• Create a light arugula salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a lemon vinaigrette to enhance the sandwich's Mediterranean flavors.
• Add prosciutto, salami, and marinated artichokes alongside the sandwich for a complete flavor experience that highlights the tapenade's richness.
• Choose a citrus-infused sparkling water to cleanse the palate between bites and balance the sandwich's intense olive and cheese profile.

Storage Suggestions for Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich

• Refrigerate: Store sandwich halves in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
• Freeze Tapenade: Transfer olive mixture to a freezer-safe container. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before using.
• Reheat Sandwich: Warm in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side. Alternatively, toast in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until cheese softens and bread crisps.
• Quick Tip: Keep goat cheese and tapenade separate when storing to prevent bread from becoming mushy. Assemble sandwich just before serving for best texture and flavor.

FAQs

• What are capers and why are they used in this recipe?

Capers are small, pickled flower buds from the Mediterranean region that add a tangy, briny flavor to dishes, enhancing the overall taste of the olive tapenade with their sharp and salty profile.

• Can I use different types of olives for the tapenade?

Yes, you can experiment with various olives like Kalamata, green olives, or a mix of different olive varieties to create your unique tapenade flavor and texture.

• Is this sandwich suitable for vegetarians?

Absolutely! This olive tapenade and goat cheese sandwich is a vegetarian-friendly option that offers rich, savory flavors and protein from the goat cheese.

Olive Tapenade & Goat Cheese Sandwich Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mediterranean-inspired olive tapenade & goat cheese sandwich delivers bold flavors and rustic charm from Southern France. Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a quick lunch that transports you to sun-drenched coastal landscapes.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 large baguette (or ciabatta loaf)
• 4 oz (113 g) goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup (240 ml) mixed olives, pitted
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh herbs (basil or parsley) optional

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a rustic olive mixture by blending briny olives, tangy capers, pungent garlic, zesty lemon juice, and smooth olive oil in a food processor until roughly textured.
2. Warm a skillet over medium heat and gently toast thick baguette slices until they develop a golden, crispy exterior, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
3. Generously spread the olive tapenade across one surface of each toasted bread slice, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Delicately crumble soft goat cheese over the tapenade, creating an even layer of creamy, tangy goodness.
5. Carefully press the prepared bread slices together, forming a compact, flavor-packed sandwich.
6. Slice the sandwich diagonally for an elegant presentation and serve immediately while bread remains warm and crisp.

Notes

• Adjust olive tapenade texture by controlling pulse time, ensuring a coarse but spreadable consistency without becoming too smooth.
• Select briny, high-quality olives like Kalamata or mixed Mediterranean varieties for deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
• Toast bread carefully to achieve golden-brown color without burning, maintaining a crisp exterior and soft interior for perfect sandwich texture.
• Consider dairy-free alternatives like cashew cheese or nutritional yeast for lactose-intolerant or vegan dietary needs, keeping the sandwich’s robust Mediterranean essence.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 403 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 839 mg
• Fat: 33 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 17 mg