Super Bowl fever is sweeping the nation this week as  the  New York Giants and the New England Patriots prepare to duke it out in a classic, East Coast fashion.

If you’re heading to a Super Bowl party and looking for an interesting but easy dip, here’s a  Mediterranean tapenade from Lesley Stowe’s Raincoast Crisps, available at Oliver’s Markets, Whole Foods and other local grocery stores. The crackers come in a few different flavors, and carry a hefty pricetag,  but they’re definitely worth it.

I made this dip for the holidays. Since the fresh figs were on the decline, I used some dried figs from Imwalle’s in Santa Rosa.

Olive & Fig Tapenade

1 cup  pitted Nicoise olives or other brined black olives

1 cup mission figs, cut in quarters

1 tablespoons capers

1 large garlic clove, crushed

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves.

Blend the figs in a food processor until roughly chopped. Add the olives, capers, garlic and thyme. Pulse until blended but still has a slightly coarse texture. Add the lemon juice and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until serving. Keeps 2 to 3 weeks.