Go Back
Royal blue plate with two crostinis of mushroom and olive tapenade with a sprig of parsley on the plate

Mushroom and Olive Tapenade Crostini

Earthy sautéed mushrooms layered over briny olive tapenade on golden garlic crostini — a deeply savory appetizer that pairs beautifully with Grenache-based reds.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine French, Mediterranean

Ingredients
  

Ingredients — Sautéed Mushrooms:

  • 1 lb mixed mushrooms cremini, shiitake, or a blend, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tbsp dry red wine or Marsala
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Olive Tapenade:

  • 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
  • 2 tbsp capers drained
  • 2 anchovy fillets optional but highly recommended
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • ½ tsp fresh thyme

Crostini:

  • 1 baguette sliced ½-inch thick on the diagonal
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove halved

Instructions
 

Instructions:

  • Make the tapenade: pulse olives, capers, anchovies, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and thyme in a food processor until you reach a coarse, spreadable paste. Do not over-process — it should have texture. Season to taste and set aside.
  • Make crostini: brush baguette slices with olive oil and arrange on a baking sheet. Toast at 400°F for 8–10 minutes until golden and crisp. While still warm, rub lightly with the cut garlic clove.
  • Make mushrooms: heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook without stirring for 3–4 minutes until they begin to brown. Stir, add garlic and thyme, and cook another 2–3 minutes. Add wine and cook until evaporated. Season with salt and pepper, stir in parsley. Remove from heat.
  • To assemble: spread a thin layer of tapenade on each crostini, then top with a spoonful of warm sautéed mushrooms. Serve immediately.

Notes

Wine Note: The earthy mushrooms and briny, herbal tapenade create a deeply savory bite that draws out the GSM's garrigue, dark olive, and pepper character in spectacular fashion.
Keyword Burgundy pairing, crostini appetizer, French appetizer, GSM pairing, mushroom tapenade crostini, olive tapenade, party appetizer, sautéed mushrooms, wine pairing appetizer
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!