Pin it I discovered this little gem at a gallery opening in Paris, of all places—tucked among canapés on a silver tray, each one so visually striking that guests kept circling back for seconds without quite knowing why. The elegance was disarming: creamy white cheese with a bold black olive silhouette, like a tiny edible portrait. I spent the evening talking to the caterer, who laughed and said it was simple enough to make at home, yet fanciful enough to make anyone feel like they'd mastered something truly sophisticated.
I made these the first time for a dinner party where I was nervous about seeming pretentious, but something shifted when I set them down—people actually paused to admire them before eating, and the conversation turned warmer. Cheese and olives together do something magical; they're humble ingredients that somehow feel refined when arranged with intention.
Ingredients
- Fresh goat cheese or cream cheese (200 g): The canvas for your cameo—goat cheese lends a tangy brightness that balances the salty olives beautifully, while cream cheese creates a richer, more neutral base depending on your mood.
- Black olive tapenade (80 g): This is where the character lives; whether store-bought or homemade, it should taste bold and unapologetic against the creamy cheese.
- Rustic baguette or crackers (4 slices): Optional but worthwhile—they give guests something to grip and add a textural contrast that makes each bite complete.
- Fresh herbs like thyme or chives: A whisper of green transforms these from simple to intentional; finely chop them so they cling to the olive layer.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Drizzle it like you mean it—good oil makes the whole thing taste like you care.
Instructions
- Shape your cheese into four ovals:
- Scoop the cheese into thick medallions, each about 2 cm, and place them on serving plates or bread slices. The thickness matters because it gives the tapenade something to sit on without disappearing into the cheese.
- Paint on the cameo silhouette:
- Using the back of a spoon or a small spatula, spread the tapenade carefully across each oval to create that striking black profile effect. You can freehand a shape or use a stencil if you want precision; either way, the shadows matter more than perfection.
- Finish with oil and herbs:
- Drizzle a small pool of olive oil around each cameo and scatter the chopped fresh herbs over the tapenade. This is the moment where individual touches show—go light or go bold depending on the mood you're setting.
- Serve straight away:
- These are best eaten within minutes while the cheese is at its creamiest and the tapenade hasn't started to weep into the plate. Have extra bread or crackers nearby so people feel welcomed to build their own bites if they prefer.
Pin it There was a moment during that first dinner party when my grandfather picked one up, studied it like a tiny painting, and said it reminded him of the appetizers from his honeymoon in Nice. That's when I realized food isn't always about flavor—sometimes it's about what it reminds people they once loved.
Making Your Own Tapenade
If you want to go deeper, blending your own tapenade takes five extra minutes and transforms the entire experience. The smell alone—garlic and olives and lemon juice spinning together—signals to everyone in the house that something intentional is happening. Blend 100 g of pitted black olives with a small clove of garlic, 1 teaspoon of capers, 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil until smooth, then taste and adjust; this is where your judgment becomes the recipe, not the other way around.
Adapting for Every Dietary Need
The beauty of this dish is that it bends without breaking. For a vegan table, swap in a plant-based cream cheese alternative and you've lost nothing in elegance. Gluten-free guests get gluten-free crackers, dairy-free friends get their own version made with cashew cream or a quality dairy-free spread, and everyone still gets the same moment of looking at something beautiful before eating it. I've learned that accommodating people isn't a limitation—it's an invitation to think more creatively about what's already working.
Wine and Company
These cameos are designed for moments when people are standing and talking, not sitting and working through courses. Pour a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Noir alongside, and watch how the salt and brightness in the wine echoes the olive and cheese. The real trick is making enough so nobody feels rushed—I always plan two per person, because one is never the answer.
- Chill your serving plates for five minutes before plating so the cheese stays composed longer.
- If you're making these more than two hours ahead, keep the tapenade separate and add it just before serving.
- A small dollop of fleur de sel on top of the tapenade adds a crystalline surprise that catches light and taste buds both.
Pin it These little cameos have taught me that elegance doesn't require hours of labor or a long list of exotic ingredients. Sometimes it just requires seeing ordinary things—cheese, olives, bread—as possibilities, and taking a moment to arrange them with intention.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of cheese works best for this dish?
Fresh goat cheese (chèvre) or cream cheese provides a smooth, creamy texture that holds shape well and complements the olive tapenade's bold flavor.
- → Can I make the olive tapenade at home?
Yes, blend pitted black olives with garlic, capers, lemon juice, and olive oil until smooth for a fresh, flavorful tapenade.
- → What are suitable serving options for this appetizer?
The cheese and tapenade medallions can be served on rustic baguette slices or gluten-free crackers, topped with fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.
- → Are there alternatives for dietary restrictions?
For vegan options, substitute the cheese with plant-based cream cheese alternatives, and use gluten-free crackers if avoiding gluten.
- → What wine pairs well with this dish?
Crisp Sauvignon Blanc or light Pinot Noir wines complement the creamy cheese and olive flavors nicely.
- → How long does preparation take?
Preparation takes about 15 minutes, with no cooking time required, making it a quick and elegant starter.