The following scenario had happened so many times: After a great
day of sailing and swimming you are just about to land in a picturesque coastal village.
Your skipper has booked the
dinner at the exquisite tavern and the traditional meal is just a couple of hours away from you. The calm environment looks so tranquil and romantic.
The shower was so refreshing and you already put on your evening clothes. You are so keen to spend a
relaxing night without any stress but you got ready too soon.
The nervousness grows as you look at the watch and realize that only two minutes have passed. What to do in order to save the mood?
An
experienced skipper would already have the solution –
a light appetizer is on its way.
Tapenade is proven to be a
life saving trick for such situations. It is a
simple but
delicious and
very ‘maritime’ dish made of
olives, capers, anchovies and bread.
This dish originates from
Provence in France but is also known elsewhere as
olive pâté. The preparation requires just few minutes and some skill.
Black or green (or both!)
olives should be chopped in very small pieces as well as the
salted anchovies fillets. Mix them along with
capers and
few drops of olive oil until you get a
smooth paste.
Roast yesterday’s
bread in the oven and rub it with
garlic. If there is no bread you can do it with
toast or crackers. Spread the tapenade over it and allow your hungry and inpatient crew a sip of
cold dry wine. You will save the situation for sure and won’t spoil your appetite for pre-ordered dinner.
Tapenade can also be prepared in advance. You can do it at home and take it along for such situations. There are
different types of tapenade available in supermarkets but homemade always tastes better.
Try to
improvise with different ingredients and spices and let me know about your ideas. Some say that
a bit of mustard added to ordinary tapenade gives it a completely new taste, but don’t overdo it because you’ll lose the essence of it which is, after all, olives.
I wish you a calm sea, a fine wind and a strong mast!
