Sunday, August 8, 2010

Garlic Basil Oil


Crusty on the outside, moist on the inside,
incredible European style bread
dipped in a flavored oil is such a culinary delight.



These gourmet oils can be very pricey.


Why not try making your own.
What a great way to use the bounty of herbs
in your garden this time of year.
Of course herbs from the store are great too.





You can make your own labels too
and add a little dried herb with some twine
or raffia
to decorate your bottle.


Herb Infused Olive Oil

Take 2 C. good quality olive oil.  Add 1 C. fresh basil
rinsed and thoroughly dried
(or whatever herb you want to use), and 1-2 lightly
crushed cloves of garlic.  Place in a saucepan.

Heat the oil with the herb and garlic in it.
Bring it up to hot, but not smoking. 
Turn the heat off and let the herbs
infuse into the oil at least one hour.

Let the oil cool, then pour through a sieve.

Use a funnel to pour into a bottle.

I found these fun bottles at Target.

You also might want to try dried chilis,
lemon peel,
 rosemary,
or any combination that sounds good to you.

I am doing a lemon peel and rosemary next!

Just a quick note on olive oils.
Have a little blind taste test with your family to find
an olive oil that you like enough to dip breads in.
It should be something fruity and not bitter.

We did this and believe it or not, or favorite for
grocery store brands was Star at Wal Mart.

I made some of this with Costco's EVVO and it
was way too bitter.  We couldn't use it as a dipping oil.

Be sure and taste test first!



Find a fun stopper to close up the bottle.
This one if a Tuesday Morning find.


Serve as a great dipping sauce.



To make my label I went to my computer.

I started by going to Photobucket.com for free
photos.  I did a search for herbs and found this
wonderful garden.  I then added text and
printed it on label paper.

Tie on some dried herbs with a little twine or
raffia and you have a "Select Label" bottle
of flavored olive oil.

To dry herbs quickly, rinse and pat dry, then place
on a paper towel in the microwave.  If you are
doing just a few herbs, check every 30 seconds.
They will dry quickly.  Do not scorch them.

Wouldn't this be a great gift to receive?

I will be posting this with


and


Thanks for visiting at Purple Chocolat Home.

I love all of your visits and especially appreciate
your comments!  It's been great to have you here today.


Jacqueline
Jacqueline

Chocolat - French for Chocolate. I adored chocolate from a young age when I had to sneak in the cupboard to find where my mother had hidden the Nestle's Chocolate Chips. Having read about the famous chocolat shoppes in Paris, when I finally got there I was determined to try a chocolate from every Paris shoppe. I invite you to share my adventures in creating, in travel, and in life.

20 comments:

  1. The oil sounds really good! I'm into the Artisan Breads in 5 Mins a Day, and this oil would be great with them!

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  2. Yammie.......i wish i could taste this.........happy new week darling.....love Ria...

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  3. Jackie, I love using and making flavored oils and vinegars! Great label- I haven't tried Photobucket for pics!
    xoxo Pattie

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  4. What a great idea! I am definitley going to add this to my "make for gifts" file! At the portland farmers market they sell flavored oils but they are quite spendy so I haven't bought any (just drooled over them and snagged samples of bread dipped in them)now I will just make my own!

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  5. Love the labels. I don't know why I have not thought about making my labels that way, but I sure will now! I love making my own flavored oils and vinegars and sometimes use them as gifts when I give someone a basket of homemade breads.

    ~ Tracy

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  6. This basil flavored oil looks wonderful. Several years ago I made flavored vinegars to give others. They were a big hit. With a good size basil crop, I can make some nice gifts too with your recipe. Thanks for all of your great ideas and beautiful posts. I really enjoy your blog!

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  7. This looks delicious. I always have a bit of extra basil about. I'll have to give it a try.

    - The Tablescaper

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  8. A girl after my own heart!!! Yum. Your blog is awesome!!!!

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  9. what a good way to use some of my basil that is growing out of control!!

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  10. Thanks so much for the basil oil infusion tutorial. I love this and have not found it recently except Williams Sonoma and it is pricey. I love to saute fresh green beans in the basil flavored oil.

    I love the label and stopper ideas. This would be an impressive gift for friends. Great ideas. Thank you .

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  11. These looks beautiful. I've never made infused oils before. I am going to give it a try. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  12. Great gift idea (after I've made some for myself, of course.) The labels add such a nice touch, too! Thanks!

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  13. What a great idea...garlic and basil, cannot go wrong. Great pictures!

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  14. Okay Jacque! I think you have FOUND yourself! You are having TOO much FUN! Love it.

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  15. This is a great thing for gifts and a must try! The gourmet oils are definitely pricey and I never thought about making it myself. Thanks for all the info and your label looks great!

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  16. Hi Jacqueline, this looks like such a great idea - and your pretty bottles and labels make them perfect gift items too! I love the garlic/basil combination and the lemon/rosemary one sounds great too! Thanks for stopping by my little quilt post - I appreciate every comment! Ciao, bella!

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  17. Wow! Is that your home? Wow!

    This is a great recipe!

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  18. Girl!!!! You are amazing. I just absolutely love this post.

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  19. Well, you have given me another project for this weekend. I love dipping oils and I'm eager to make this one. Hmmm...I can already taste it...isn't the imagination a wonderful thing! Thanks so much.

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  20. oh my- now i know what to do with all the basil I have (have enough pesto).

    thanks for sharing- love this idea for gifts as well.

    grew basil from seeds this year and had no idea it would be so prolific!!!

    will have to search for the rosemary and lemon peel as well

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