Kelly's Tapenade

I created this recipe after trying a store bought Tapenade a couple years ago. It was great, but very expensive for such a small amount. I serve it with homemade toasts or store bought bagel chips. Enjoy!

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Serves: 4-6
• Yields: 3 cups

Ingredients

• 1  cup kalamata olive, pitted
• 1 (15 ounce) can black olives (I get medium or large)
• 1⁄2 cup  pimento stuffed olive
• 1 (15 ounce) can water-packed artichoke hearts (or if you have the small jars or marinated hearts, use 2 jars)
• 1⁄4 cup capers
• 8  sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
• 1 -2  garlic clove (I use 2!)
• 1⁄3 cup parmesan cheese
• 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 -4  fresh basil leaves (1/2 tbs dried- use fresh if at all possible)
•  black pepper

Directions

1. In a food processor, add all olives and capers. Process until coarsely chopped. Do not puree! Transfer to a bowl.
2. Add to processor artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, basil, and garlic. Process until coarsely chopped. Transfer to bowl with the olive mixture.
3. Mix in the olive oil and parmesean cheese by hand.
4. Garnish with fresh italian parsley or basil leaves if you like.
5. If you want to increase this recipe in a pinch, you can add 1 extra can of black olives. I've done this when a few extra guests show up that I was not planning on!