Green Olive and Anchovy Puree

This is so good! It took me a little while to get used to eating goat cheese (billy goat gruff). Now, I find I like it very much, and what doesn't go with thyme? Crisp veggies, like celery sticks, carrot sticks, and fennel sticks. I love it with endive. So good! Watch your seasonings, as the olives will provide enough saltiness. When preparing the lemon zest, only use the yellow, as the white part, the pith is very bitter.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Yields: 2 1/2 cups

Ingredients

• 1  cup fresh parsley (flat-leaf)
• 3 -4  sprigs parsley, if desired (to garnish)
• 2  cups  pitted Spanish olives (green)
• 4 (2 1/2ounce) jars green olives, pitted drained and rinsed
• 1⁄2 cup  bottled pimiento, drained
• 1 (2 ounce) can  flat anchovy fillets
• 1⁄4 cup  dry breadcrumbs, unsalted, plain
• 2  tablespoons tomato paste
• 1  tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained
• 1  teaspoon  finely grated lemon zest
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1⁄2 lb cream cheese, room temperature, cut into small pieces

Directions

1. In a food processor, pulse the cup of parsley leaves until finely chopped.
2. Add the olives, pimientos, anchovies with their oil, bread crumbs, tomato paste, capers, lemon zest and pepper and process until minced.
3. Add the cream cheese and process until smooth.
4. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish, if desired with parsley springs.