This Artichoke and Pecorino Romano Tapenade is a simple and delicious appetizer for your next get together! With just 5 simple ingredients, this recipe comes together in less than 5 minutes. Pecorino Romano PDO adds a spicy and salty crunch. Served with toasted baguette and endive leaves, this hor d’oeuvre is classy, delectable, and light.

Now that the holidays have passed, do we really have to stop celebrating?

Didn’t think so.

Now, before you stop reading this post, judging me for suggesting any further frivolity past the month of December, just hear me out.

I get it. New Year’s Eve was the bookend to one fabulous stretch of merriment.

The parties.

The happy hours. 

The friends, families, and loved ones to see.

The holiday themed shows, concerts, and plays to attend. 

It’s a lot to organize and do-believe me …I know. I’m the type of person that gets serious FOMO, and this time of year my condition only magnifies. And when the magical season comes to a close, sure: I love a little “me time”. Time to recoup, relax, and recharge.

Buuuuut if I’m being honest, I also love to throw a good get together, and there are plenty of pals I didn’t get to see during the busiest time of year.

That said! I’ve got a nice little suggestion for you: throw a party.

It doesn’t need to be big – it can be three of your closest friends!

A few details to consider: 

1. Curate a guest list. Invite your favorites over and ask that they bring a favorite bottle. And nothing else.
2.  Make a killer cocktail. A Gin & Tonic bar complete with aromatic garnishes and mixers, a Champagne Cocktail station filled with liqueurs and festive stir sticks, or a big ass bowl of some amazing boozy punch. Check check check.
   And finally…
   
   
3. Make a menu. Keep it simple, making your favorite nibbles and bites. Don’t overcomplicate it – you want to enjoy the evening…not be tending to some complex dish on the stove.

All that said, I’ve got the perfect app for your lineup. Meet the unfussy, flavor packed, incredibly simple Artichoke and Pecorino Romano Tapenade.

5 ingredients – THAT’S IT! Some of which you may already have in your refrigerator or pantry, thank you very much.

And for the record – salt, pepper, and olive oil should be in all of our pantries – so I don’t count them in the “total ingredient” count. For all you detail sticklers out there.

One ingredient, however, that you really do need to seek out is…

Pecorino Romano PDO. This cheese is one of the oldest in the world (2,000 years old!), and there are a few deets you really need to know:

1. Not all cheeses are created equal. “Pecorino”, “Romano”, and even “Pecorino Romano” are not the same. The PDO designation is what sets the good stuff apart from imposters. The Protected Designation of Origin means that the cheese has the strongest possible links to original historical practices, because both the raw ingredients and production must come from or happen within the original area. Much like Champagne, Pecorino Romano PDO can only be produced in Sardinia, Lazio and the province of Grosseto in Italy.
2. Tasting is believing. Once you try this gorgeous, aromatic, salty, crunchy, and slightly spicy (the spice increases with the cheese’s age!), you’ll be a convert. Delicious on it’s own, on a charcuterie platter, in a silky sauce for Cacio e Pepe…the options are endless (and mouth watering).
3. Cheese CAN be good for you. If you spot the PDO designation, you can trust that the cheese has been made traditionally and with minimal ingredients (just 3: sheep’s milk, salt, and rennet). Additionally, it’s lactose free, is high in omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and has twice the amount of protein as cow’s milk cheese.

How to spot the good stuff, I’m certain you’re wondering?!

As I mentioned – be sure you’re looking for the PDO designation, but you should always ensure that the cheese rind includes the perforations which spell out Pecorino Romano:

I like serving this simple tapenade with toasted baguette and endive leaves. If you want to be more veg-forward, feel free to add sliced celery, carrots, zucchini rounds, and red pepper slices. Or you could always carb it up (#youdoyou) and add more crackers, slices of sourdough, or even chips.

Your party, your way.

So there it is, folks. Your first recipe for your “first party of the year” menu, along with some fun facts to throw at your guests (trust me…they’ll be impressed).

Cheers to a wonderful evening!

Learn more about Pecorino Romano PDO here.

Thank you to Uncommon Flavors of Europe for sponsoring this post!

Print Recipe

Artichoke and Pecorino Romano Tapenade

This Artichoke and Pecorino Romano Tapenade is delicious, healthy, and so easy! Including just 5 ingredients, this appetizer is so simple to make. Pecorino Romano PDO offers a slight spicy bite, while the artichokes and capers provide a briny salty flavor. Serve with baguette and endive leaves and watch it disappear.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course: Appetizers & Snacks

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano PDO
• 2 14 oz cans artichoke hearts drained
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp capers drained
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 lemon zested
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Fresh cracked black pepper
• 1 French baguette sliced and toasted
• 2-3 heads Belgian Endive leaves removed from stems

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to your food processor. Pulse lightly until just combined, or desired consistency is reached. I like mine to be a little on the chunky side as opposed to thoroughly blended.
• Serve with toasted baguette and endive leaves.