The Greek-Style Condiment That Instantly Gives Any Style Of Eggs Extra Flavor

Eggs are not only nutritious, they are also affordable, easy to cook, and they soak up a lot of flavor. The issue is that if you eat a lot of them, they can get a tad boring. That is, unless you try out some new condiments, like pesto, sriracha, or even a delicious tapenade for a Greek-style flair.

An olive-based spread that's popular in Southern France, tapenade is a savory, umami-packed addition that can amp up so many meals. The word comes from "tapeno", the French word for capers, which are an integral part of the recipe. However, versions of tapenade can be traced back to ancient Rome and Greece, where olives were also vital in cuisine. Tapenade remains a symbol of hospitality in Greece, and it can add a delicious flavor to any dish, including eggs.

The brininess of Greek tapenade works beautifully with eggs, lending a salty but fresh twist that isn't overpowering. You can incorporate the spread in a few different ways, but all you really need to do is scoop a little over the top of your scrambled, fried, or baked eggs. If you want to match its savory flavor well, try serving tapenade with hard boiled eggs or mixed into an easy deviled eggs recipe.

Another way to use tapenade is to mix it right into a totally customizable breakfast egg bake. Use olive oil and feta for a more Greek-inspired spin, or add in chopped olives to add texture and really lean into the briny flavor. If you're using the tapenade to garnish sliced hard-boiled eggs, try adding avocado to freshen things up. Alternatively, a drizzle of lemon juice on top of tapenade is a delicious way to upgrade a creamy egg salad.

There are a lot of different types of tapenade, but if you want to find the most authentic Greek option look for Kalamata olives on the label. Greek extra virgin olive oil, capers, and garlic are also typically ingredients. On the island of Crete, black olives, spices, honey, and herbs are also used in recipes, and in Santorini you can expect anchovies, as well.

Tapenade is usually available at most supermarkets, but you can make your own, too. We have a five-ingredient olive tapenade recipe and a reinvented, slightly sweet version. Otherwise, just combine olives, olive oil, garlic, capers, lemon juice, and parsley in a food processor. Then, simply top your eggs with as much (or as little) as you please and enjoy.