Herb Oil

*I got this recipe/idea from an Enrichment meeting earlier this summer.  I loved it!  Such a great way to use your fresh herbs and so versatile!  Use it to roast veggies (especially potatoes), salad dressings, cooking, or as a table condiment.  These notes come from Catherine.

Ingredients:

Favorite herbs and/or spices:  Suggestions--rosemary, thyme, basil, tarragon, summer savory, oregano, cilantro, marjoram, chervil, chives, dill, mint, parsley, bay leaf

Sunflower, safflower, or extra-virgin olive oil

Prep:

Wash and dry your choice of herb branches and lightly bruise them to release flavor.  Place them in a clean glass bottle, cover with warmed oil (about 180 degrees), and seal tightly.  Leave in a cool dark place to infuse about two weeks.  Taste.  If not strong enough, add more fresh herbs and let stand another week.  you can either strain the oil or leave the herbs in.  If you do not strain the herbs out, the flavor will become stronger as it stands.

Notes:

Less strongly-flavored oils like sunflower oil and safflower oil work best to give a more prominent herb flavor.  However, extra-virgin olive oil is also a good choice.  If you begin with a monounsaturated oil such as olive oil or peanut oil, the infused oils should be refrigerated.

Use the oils within 2 months.  

Italian Herb Infused Olive Oil:

6 leaves fresh basil

2 sprigs fresh thyme

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

2 sprigs fresh oregano

1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Place basil, thyme, rosemary, and oregano in a 12 ounce bottle.  Using a funnel, pour oil into bottle.  See other notes above.

*I love this!  It looks so pretty in the bottle.  My favorite way to use it is in cooking.  Try using it with scrambled eggs or sprinkle of roasting potatoes.  If using often enough, I store it in my pantry (so I don't have to wait for it to liquefy).