Mini Tapenade and Manchego Sandwiches Recipe
TIME/SERVINGS
Total: 15 mins
Active: 15 mins
Makes: 24 hors d'oeuvres
By Aida Mollenkamp
Bites of toasted baguette with melty sheep’s-milk cheese, briny tapenade, and peppery arugula, these mini sandwiches are easy to assemble yet elegant enough to serve at your next cocktail party.
Game plan: If you plan on serving these at a party, there’s lots you can do in advance to make things easier. Mix up (or buy) the tapenade, shred the cheese, and wash the arugula leaves (then store them in the refrigerator wrapped in damp paper towels placed in a resealable plastic bag) up to 3 days in advance, then assemble and broil the sandwich at the last minute.
This recipe was featured as part of our Bring Happy Hour Home story.
- 1/3 cup Mixed Olive Tapenade
- 1 sweet baguette, sliced in half horizontally
- 4 ounces aged Manchego cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 ounce arugula leaves (about 1 1/2 packed cups)
- Heat the broiler to high and arrange a rack in the middle.
- Evenly spread tapenade on cut sides of baguette halves. Evenly sprinkle cheese over tapenade.
- Place baguette halves on a baking sheet cut sides up, and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the bread are toasted, about 2 minutes. Top with arugula, close sandwich, and cut into 24 pieces.
COMMENTS | ADD YOUR OWN
What a yummy idea! I'm heading to Zabars this evening for some olives to make Tapenade... one of my "house staples!"
why wrap lettuuce in damp paper towels, wouldnt that make it soggy?
No. Wrapping greens in DAMP (not wet!) towels actually helps keep them fresher longer. I do this with my herbs, too.
I think it actually helps keep the moisture from adhering to the leaves themselves (and subsequently rotting) while giving the greens a damp environment to remain crispy. That is my non-scientific view, at any rate.
We made these for a cocktail party and they were perfect. We had them the next day for lunch and again two days later but had to sub out the arugula for mache--was still really yummy! So easy and so good.
Loooove tepanade, looooove manchego, looooove sandwiches! This goes on my list of dishes to make!