Being invited to a friend’s place for dinner is such a treat, but always leads to the inevitable question: What should I bring? Sometimes I bake (recipes to come, don’t worry!); sometimes I bring wine or flowers. But, this week I wanted to try something different…
Herb-Infused Olive Oil:
- 6 leaves fresh basil
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh oregano
- crushed red pepper (optional, to taste)
- 1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil
Place herbs and red pepper in a 12-ounce bottle. Using a funnel, pour oil into bottle. Cover tightly, and refrigerate for at least 2 days to infuse flavor. The oil will get a little cloudy but once you bring it back to room temperature the cloudiness will go away. Serve with fresh bread, salt (black salt is nice), and Parmesan cheese.
Faceted Glass Bottle from Sur La Table
Ciabatta bread from Levain Bakery (best bakery in NYC)
Hang a sweet note from the bottle or use a sticker label to list ingredients. Staples has a great selection of labels. These are Kraft Paper Round labels.
Sprinkle black salt and parmesan in the oil for extra flavor.
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Love it…sounds great with pre-dinner cocktails.Any tips on freezing my garden herbs?
To freeze your garden herbs, Cooks Illustrated (my bible on these sorts of things which I have no authority on) suggests the following:
1. Clean fresh herbs by submerging them in a bowl filled with cool salted water. The salt will drive away any insects without damaging the herbs.
2. Remove herbs from water and blot with paper towels to dry completely.
3. Layer herbs in a tightly sealed plastic container. They can be packed tightly.
4. Herbs can be frozen for up to four months.
** It’s a good idea to leave one or two annuals in their beds; they will reseed and come back much earlier next year!
Can’t wait to have you over for dinner– so I can try this!!! I look forward to seeing your famous delicious chocolate chip cookies on here.
Thank you Kim for this wonderfully innovative idea. I would make it for my house but I know we would just devour loaves of bread soaked in kim’s Herb Infused Olive oil.
I have wanted to post something like this on my site and you have given me an idea. Cheers.
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