Basil Infused Olive Oil Food

SUNNY'S EASY BASIL AND GARLIC OIL

Steps:

• To steep the oil: In a small pot on the lowest heat setting, add the oil, basil and garlic. Cook on low for 20 minutes.
• Strain the oil using a fine-mesh sieve and cool to room temperature. Add the fresh basil leaves to finish. Store in the fridge and keep for 1 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.

INFUSED OLIVE OIL - SEVERAL

Steps:

• Place ingredient(s) to be infused in the bottle or jar.
• Warm the olive oil and pour into jar.
• Seal and let sit for at least 2 weeks.
• In a hurry? Heat the olive oil with ingredient(s) to infuse over the stove or in a crock pot for 1 1/2 hours.

BASIL INFUSED OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• 1. Place the basil leaves in a small microwave safe bowl with the olive oil. Mash the leaves into the oil with a fork. Do this thoroughly to release as much flavor from the leaves as possible.
• 2. Heat the oil and mashed leaves in the microwave on high for about 15 seconds. Do not let the oil boil, just get it warm to release the flavor of the basil leaves.
• 3. Remove from microwave and mash the leaves again. Then line a funnel with a coffee filter and pour the infused oil into the funnel over a bottle. Allow the oil to drain into the bottle. You may need to squeeze the filter slightly, to help it drain.
• 4. You can store the infused oil on the counter top if you plan on using it all within a week. Or you can store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. In the fridge the oil will solidify. Just remove it from the fridge a few minutes before using it so that the oil can liquefy.
• 5. There are so many uses for this infused oil! Drizzle over pasta or pizza. Add it to pasta sauce or salad dressing! Dip Italian bread in the oil. Drizzle it over sliced mozzarella with sliced tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. YUM!