Description
This Mediterranean Olive Tapenade Cheese Log is a flavorful appetizer featuring a blend of soft goat cheese and tangy cream cheese mixed with a vibrant tapenade of Kalamata and green olives, capers, and fresh herbs. Coated with a delightful olive-tapenade mixture and crumbled feta, this cheese log offers a perfect balance of creamy, salty, and zesty flavors. Ideal for entertaining, it pairs beautifully with toasted baguette slices or crackers.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 11 oz. soft fresh goat cheese log (may substitute all or part with cream cheese)
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup green olives, pitted and finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained and chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Combine Olives: In a medium bowl, add the Kalamata and green olives, and whisk to combine. Remove 3 spoons of this olive mixture to use for coating the cheese log later.
- Mix Cheese Base: To the remaining olives, stir in the fresh lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the goat cheese (or cream cheese) and mix until evenly combined.
- Shape and Chill: Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap and spoon the cheese mixture onto it. Shape the mixture into the form of a log, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Freeze the cheese log for 20-30 minutes, just enough to firm it up but still soft enough for the coating to stick.
- Prepare Tapenade Coating: Line a countertop with a large piece of parchment paper. Add the reserved tapenade and stir to combine. Spread this mixture into a single-layer square slightly larger than the length of the cheese log.
- Coat Cheese Log: Place the chilled cheese log at the edge of the tapenade coating and gently roll it in the mixture, pressing the coating into the log until it is evenly covered.
- Refrigerate or Serve: You can either refrigerate the coated cheese log until you’re ready to serve, or serve immediately.
- Bring to Room Temperature: When ready to serve, remove the cheese log from the refrigerator about 15 minutes beforehand so it softens slightly. Drizzle with olive oil just before serving.
- Serve: Serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers.
Notes
- The cheese log should be chilled just enough to firm up for easier coating but not frozen solid.
- Substitute cream cheese for goat cheese if you prefer a milder flavor.
- For best flavor, use fresh parsley and high-quality olives.
- This cheese log pairs beautifully with toasted baguette slices, crackers, or fresh vegetable crudités.
- Store leftovers tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
