Flavored Cooking Oil Recipes

FLAVORED COOKING OIL

Steps:

• In a saucepan, over low heat, warm 1 cup of olive oil with one of the above ingredients, or a combination of your choice.
• Allow to bubble and simmer for five minutes; cool.
• Funnel into a clean bottle or other container.
• Keep refrigerated and use within one week.

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.

FLAVORFULLY INFUSED OILS

Steps:

• Combine ingredients in a saucepan over low heat. Gently warm mixture until it bubbles, then continue to cook until oil is very fragrant, another minute or two.
• Cool, then use a funnel to pour oil into a clean bottle or other container. Refrigerate and use within a month or so.