Ina Garten’s Zesty Tuna Tapenade Crostini Recipe: A Must-Try

Seafood lovers rejoice as this delectable tuna tapenade crostini by Ina Garten promises a burst of Mediterranean flavors.

Her elegant appetizer blends rich, briny ingredients into a tantalizing small bite.

Crisp baguette slices provide the perfect canvas for the zesty spread.

The combination of olives, capers, and tender tuna creates a sophisticated starter that’s surprisingly simple to assemble.

Each crunchy crostini delivers a punch of umami and herbal notes that dance across your palate.

Guests will be impressed by this effortlessly chic appetizer that looks far more complicated than its straightforward preparation suggests.

Grab some fresh ingredients and get ready to elevate your next gathering with this irresistible recipe.

Best Way to Store Ina Garten Crostini

• Batch Prepare Ahead: Mix the tapenade up to 3 days before serving, storing it in an airtight container within the refrigerator to intensify flavor development.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Keep the tapenade chilled at 40°F or below, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing bacterial growth for up to 4 days.
• Freeze for Future: Transfer the tuna tapenade into freezer-safe containers, allowing it to last up to 2 months when sealed tightly with minimal air exposure.
• Serve Smart: Remove tapenade from refrigerator 15 minutes before serving to soften texture and enhance taste, allowing ingredients to reach room temperature naturally.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 201 kcal

Servings: 12

All the Ingredients for Ina Garten Crostini With Tuna Tapenade

• Tuna: Adds rich, meaty flavor and provides protein base for the spread.
• Anchovy Paste: Delivers deep umami and salty complexity to the mixture.
• Thyme: Introduces earthy, herbal undertones with subtle peppery notes.
• Parsley: Brings fresh, bright green color and clean herbaceous taste.
• Lemon Zest: Provides zesty, citrusy brightness and aromatic lift.
• Garlic: Contributes robust, pungent depth to the overall flavor profile.

• Mascarpone: Creates creamy, smooth consistency and softens sharp flavors.
• Olive Oil: Helps blend ingredients and adds luxurious Mediterranean essence.
• Lemon Juice: Balances richness with tangy, acidic undertone.

• Olives, Capers: Introduce briny, salty punch with textural interest.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhance and harmonize all existing flavor components.

• Bread Slices: Crisp canvas for showcasing vibrant tapenade spread.
• Olive Oil: Helps achieve golden, crunchy toasted texture.

Equipment Needed for Ina Garten Crostini With Tuna Tapenade

• Food processor: Essential for blending and mixing tapenade ingredients smoothly.
• Grater: Perfect for zesting fresh lemon.
• Grill or oven: Used to toast bread slices until golden brown.
• Baking sheet: Alternative method for toasting crostini if not using a grill.
• Mixing bowl: Needed to transfer and store tapenade mixture.
• Pastry brush: Helps evenly coat bread slices with olive oil.
• Sharp knife: Useful for chopping herbs and preparing ingredients.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for ingredient preparation.

How to Assemble Ina Garten Crostini With Tuna Tapenade

• Flavor Base

Combine tuna, herbs, and zesty seasonings in a food processor. Blend until the mixture reaches a smooth, rich consistency that hints at Mediterranean coastal kitchens.

• Bread Transformation

Select quality bread slices and give them a golden, crispy makeover. Gently brush with olive oil and toast until edges turn a delicate, inviting brown through grilling or oven baking.

• Elegant Presentation

Generously spread the tuna mixture across each crunchy toast. Garnish with fresh herb sprinkles, creating a stunning appetizer that whispers of seaside elegance and culinary sophistication.

Tips & Twist Ideas for Ina Garten Crostini

• Replace tuna with oil-packed sardines or smoked salmon for a different maritime flavor profile that keeps the recipe's elegant coastal essence.
• Experiment with soft cheese alternatives like ricotta or whipped feta instead of mascarpone to add unique textural dimensions and tangy undertones.
• Mix fresh herbs like basil, chives, or dill into the tapenade for enhanced aromatic complexity and vibrant green color highlights.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of harissa paste to introduce subtle heat and Mediterranean-inspired zestiness to the spread.
• Use rustic sourdough, whole grain baguettes, or gluten-free alternatives to customize the crostini base according to dietary preferences and taste preferences.

How to Serve Ina Garten Crostini

• Elegant Appetizer Platter: Arrange crostini on a rustic wooden board with fresh herb sprigs for a sophisticated Mediterranean-style presentation.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the rich, briny tapenade flavors.
• Quick Party Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare tapenade in advance and toast bread just before guests arrive for an effortless, impressive starter that takes minutes to assemble.
• Fresh Garnish Boost: Top each crostini with a small lemon wedge or extra chopped parsley to add brightness and visual appeal to the appetizer.

Gourmet Crostini With Tuna Tapenade Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s crostini with tuna tapenade blends Mediterranean flavors into an elegant appetizer. Crisp baguette slices provide perfect contrast to rich, briny olive and tuna spread that will delight guests at any gathering.

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Ingredients

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• 10 to 12 oz (280 to 340 g) Italian tuna, canned or jarred, packed in olive oil
• ⅓ cup (80 g) mascarpone cheese, Italian
• 3 tbsps good olive oil, plus extra for brushing bread
• 3 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tbsps minced fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish
• 2 tsps anchovy paste
• 2 tsps minced garlic (2 cloves)
• 1 tbsp grated lemon zest
• 1 tbsp drained capers
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup (40 g) kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
• 36 slices French bread, cut diagonally

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Instructions

1. Tapenade Preparation: Drain tuna, reserving olive oil, and flake into food processor, ensuring no large chunks remain.
2. Flavor Infusion: Add anchovy paste, thyme leaves, parsley, lemon zest, and garlic to the processor. Pulse to blend ingredients uniformly.
3. Texture Development: Stream in lemon juice, remaining olive oil, and mascarpone cheese. Process until achieving a smooth, slightly textured consistency.
4. Final Seasoning: Incorporate kalamata olives, capers, kosher salt, and black pepper. Pulse briefly to maintain ingredient integrity.
5. Flavor Melding: Transfer tapenade to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour to enhance taste profile.
6. Crostini Crafting: Preheat gas grill to medium-high or oven to 190 degrees Celsius. Brush bread slices with extra virgin olive oil on both sides.
7. Toasting Technique: Grill bread for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown, or bake on a sheet for 6-8 minutes until edges crisp and color lightens.
8. Assembly and Garnish: Cool crostini briefly, spread generously with tapenade, and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.
9. Serving Suggestion: Present immediately to maintain crisp texture and chilled tapenade quality.

Notes

• Boost Flavor Depth: Let tapenade rest in refrigerator for at least one hour to allow ingredients to marry and develop complex, rich taste profiles.
• Texture Perfection: Pulse ingredients carefully to maintain slight chunk texture, avoiding over-processing which can create bland, mushy consistency.
• Oil Management: Reserve and strategically use olive oil from tuna to enhance overall moisture and richness of tapenade without overwhelming other ingredients.
• Bread Selection Matters: Choose sturdy, high-quality bread with good structure to support tapenade without becoming soggy, ensuring crisp and delightful crostini experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 201
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 389 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg