Herbed Olive Oil Recipes

RIDICULOUSLY GOOD OLIVE OIL DIP

Steps:

• Finely mince the garlic and capers. Add to a bowl along with the oregano, rosemary, thyme and cheese. Season with a small pinch of salt and pepper. Use the back of a spoon to smoosh the herbs into the garlic and capers.
• Make one or two mounds of the garlic-herb mixture on a rimmed plate. Drizzle the olive oil on top. Serve with cubes of bread.

HERBED OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Pulse parsley, mint, and lemon zest in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Add oil and salt and pulse again until well combined.
• Do Ahead
• Herbed oil can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

HERB-INFUSED OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Heat olive oil over medium heat until just bubbling. Add herbs. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove from heat. Steep 1 to 2 hours. Strain out herbs, and funnel into a clean glass container. Refrigerate up to 1 week; bring to room temperature before using.

HERB GARLIC OIL

Steps:

• Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Pour olive oil into skillet gradually, sliding skillet away from burner if oil begins to splatter. Add garlic; cook until sizzling but not brown, about 1 minute. Turn off heat, leaving skillet on burner. Stir in extra-virgin olive oil, basil, and oregano. Transfer to container and store in refrigerator until flavors blend, 8 hours to overnight.

ITALIAN HERB INFUSED OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Place basil, thyme, rosemary and oregano in a 12 ounce bottle. Using a funnel, pour oil into bottle. Cover tightly, and refrigerate unused portions. Use within 2 to 3 days.

HERB OIL

Steps:

• In a 1-quart mason jar, place all of the herbs, zest, chile and peppercorns. Pour both oils into a saucepan and heat to 200 degrees F. Pour the hot oils into the jar and cover with a kitchen towel. Let stand overnight.
• Place cheesecloth over the top of the jar and replace the outer rim of the lid. Invert and strain oil into desired container.

OLIVE OIL DIP

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Yield: 3 batches (1/4 cup total)., To prepare dipping oil: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine 4 teaspoons herb mix with water. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 10-15 seconds. Drain excess water. Transfer to a shallow serving plate; add 1/2 cup oil and stir. Serve with bread.

BASIL OIL (AND OTHER HERB FLAVORED OILS)

Steps:

• In a blender, puree the herbs and oil until completely smooth. Put the mixture in a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over moderate heat. Simmer for 45 seconds, then pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl. Don't press on the mixture, but you can tap the strainer against your hand to get the oil to drip through faster. Immediately strain the oil again through a flat-bottomed paper filter. If the filter clogs, you may need to change the filter partway through.
• It's okay to pick the filter up and squeeze it gently to get the oil out faster, but be careful not to break the filter. Sometimes a little dark liquid comes through the filter first. Don't worry; that's water. It will settle to the bottom because it is heavier than the oil. Let the filtered oil settle for a few hours, then pour it off the dark liquid. Store in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place.

CHILLED SEAFOOD SALAD WITH HERBED OLIVE OIL AND SEA SALT

Steps:

• Remove flaps from squid sacs if attached, reserving them, and cut sacs crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rings. Cut reserved flaps into 1/4-inch-thick strips and halve tentacles lengthwise if large. Remove tough muscle from side of each scallop if necessary.
• Have ready a large bowl of ice and cold water. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water cook shrimp 1 minute, or until pink and just cooked through, and transfer with a slotted spoon to ice water to stop cooking.
• Add scallops to boiling water and cook at a bare simmer 2 minutes, or until just cooked through. Transfer scallops with slotted spoon to ice water to stop cooking.
• Add squid to boiling water and cook 20 to 30 seconds, or until just opaque. Drain squid in a colander and transfer to ice water to stop cooking.
• Drain seafood well in colander and transfer to a bowl. Chill seafood, covered, until cold, at least 2 hours, and up to 1 day.
• Make herbed oil:
• In a blender blend together herbed oil ingredients on high speed 1 minute. Pour oil through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on solids, and discard solids. Herbed oil may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. One hour before serving, toss seafood with lemon slices and lemon juice. Divide seafood among 12 bowls and drizzle with herbed oil. Sprinkle salads with sea salt and serve additional sea salt on the side.