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Italian herb infused olive oil:
Hafeez A.

Italian Herb Infused Olive Oil

Elevate your culinary experience with homemade Italian herb infused olive oil. This flavorful and aromatic oil is easy to make and adds a burst of Mediterranean taste to any dish. Discover the simple steps to create your own customised infused oil and explore endless culinary possibilities.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 4 days
Servings: 2
Calories: 95
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • High-quality extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh basil oregano, rosemary, and thyme
  • Clean glass jars
  • Funnel
  • Cheesecloth

Equipment

  • 1 Clean glass jars These will be used to store your infused oil. Opt for airtight jars to preserve freshness.
  • 1 Funnel A funnel will help you transfer the oil into the jars without spills.
  • 1 Cheesecloth This will be used to strain the infused oil and remove any herb particles.

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
  2. Before you begin, ensure you have everything you need:
  3. High-quality extra virgin olive oil
  4. Fresh basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme
  5. Clean glass jars
  6. Funnel
  7. Cheesecloth
  8. Step 2: Prepare the Herbs
  9. Properly preparing your herbs is crucial for optimal flavour extraction. Follow these steps:
  10. Wash the herbs thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or impurities.
  11. Dry the herbs gently with paper towels or a salad spinner. Moisture can compromise the quality of your infused oil.
  12. Chop the herbs (optional): If you prefer a more intense flavour, you can roughly chop the herbs before infusing. However, this is not necessary.
  13. Step 3: Combine Herbs and Olive Oil
  14. Now it's time to bring together the magic of herbs and olive oil.
  15. Layer the herbs: Place a layer of basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme in a clean glass jar. You can repeat this layering process to create a more intense flavour.
  16. Pour the olive oil: Carefully pour the extra virgin olive oil over the herbs, ensuring they are completely submerged.
  17. Step 4: Infuse the Oil
  18. The infusion process allows the flavours of the herbs to meld with the olive oil.
  19. Timeframe: The infusion time depends on your desired flavour intensity. For a delicate flavour, infuse for 2-3 days. For a bolder flavour, infuse for up to 2 weeks.
  20. Storage: Store the infused oil in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight.
  21. Step 5: Strain and Store
  22. Once the infusion time is complete, it's time to strain and store your delicious creation.
  23. Strain the oil: Set up a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth over a clean glass jar. Carefully pour the infused oil through the strainer to remove any herb particles.
  24. Store properly: Transfer the strained oil to clean, airtight glass bottles. Store in a cool, dark place for up to six months.
  25. And there you have it! You've successfully created your own Italian herb infused olive oil. Enjoy the fruits of your labour by drizzling it over salads, finishing pasta dishes, or incorporating it into your favourite recipes.