Description
This Mediterranean Olive Tapenade Cheese Log is a flavorful and elegant appetizer combining creamy goat and cream cheeses with a savory olive tapenade. Perfect for parties or casual gatherings, it requires no cooking and can be made ahead, offering a delightful blend of tangy, salty, and fresh flavors that pairs beautifully with crackers or baguette slices.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces goat cheese, softened
Tapenade Mix
- 1/2 cup black olives, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup green olives, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving
- Crackers or sliced baguette
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and goat cheese together until smooth and fully combined, creating a creamy base for the cheese log.
- Make Olive Tapenade: In a separate small bowl, combine the finely chopped black and green olives, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to blend all ingredients evenly.
- Form the Cheese Log: Lay a sheet of plastic wrap on a clean surface. Spread the cheese mixture on the plastic wrap into a rough log shape, approximately 8 inches long.
- Layer Tapenade: Spoon the olive tapenade mixture evenly over the cheese log, gently pressing the tapenade to adhere to the cheese while shaping the log neatly using the plastic wrap.
- Chill: Wrap the cheese log tightly in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow it to firm up and for the flavors to meld together perfectly.
- Serve: Before serving, unwrap the cheese log and transfer it to a serving plate. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve with crackers or sliced baguette.
Notes
- This cheese log can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and kept refrigerated to save time on party day.
- For a spicier variation, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the tapenade mixture to enhance flavor and heat.
- If gluten-free is required, serve with gluten-free crackers instead of baguette slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
