Herb Infused Olive Brine Food

HERB-INFUSED OLIVE BRINE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a container with a lid, and shake until salt is dissolved.
• Fill with olives and marinate at least 48 hours.

EASY MARINATED OLIVES WITH ROSEMARY, GARLIC & LEMON

Steps:

• Layer the olives, garlic, herbs, bay leaf, lemon rind, & chili flake in a 16-ounce jar (or 16-ounce airtight container of choice). Slowly pour the olive oil over top, just until the olives are submerged. Depending on the size of your olives, you may or may not need the full cup of olive oil.
• Set the sealed jar in the refrigerator for at least 48 hours, or up to 1 week.
• 2 hours before serving, remove the olives from the refrigerator to bring them to room temperature. Transfer to your favorite serving bowl. Enjoy them on their own, or serve along with crackers, charcuterie, or on a holiday cheese board. Enjoy!

HERB OIL

Steps:

• In a 1-quart mason jar, place all of the herbs, zest, chile and peppercorns. Pour both oils into a saucepan and heat to 200 degrees F. Pour the hot oils into the jar and cover with a kitchen towel. Let stand overnight.
• Place cheesecloth over the top of the jar and replace the outer rim of the lid. Invert and strain oil into desired container.

BRINE-CURED OLIVES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Remove any stems or leaves and compost or discard. Thoroughly rinse the olives and discard any bruised ones.
• With the tip of a sharp paring knife, score each olive lengthwise 1 to 3 times.
• Place the scored olives in a medium-sized nonreactive bowl or pot.
• Cover the olives with water. Place a plate that's slightly smaller than the rim of the bowl on top of olives. Weigh down the plate with cans of food or heavy objects to keep the olives submerged at all times. Let soak for three days.
• Drain the olives in a colander and return to the pot.
• In a large measuring cup, make a brine by dissolving 3 tablespoons of the salt in 1 quart of the water.
• Pour the brine over the olives. Replace the plate and weight and leave for one week.
• Drain the olives again and repeat the brine with the same measurements (3 tablespoons of salt per 1 quart of water). Weigh down and leave for one week. Repeat the rinsing and brining process 2 more times (4 times total), which will result in four weeks of brining in salted water.
• Taste one of the olives. If it is bitter, continue with the brining process (using fresh water and more salt) for another week and taste again. Continue until the olives are no longer bitter.
• Drain the olives and transfer them to clean glass jars.
• Make another brine with 1 1/2 tablespoons salt and the remaining 1 pint water. Stir in the red wine or apple cider vinegar and pour the brine over the olives in the jars.
• Tightly cover the brined olives and store them in the refrigerator or a cool cellar for up to one year. The flavor will improve if you wait at least a week or two before sampling.
• Enjoy.

ITALIAN HERB INFUSED OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Place basil, thyme, rosemary and oregano in a 12 ounce bottle.
• Using a funnel, pour oil into bottle.
• Cover tightly, and refrigerate unused portions.
• Use within 2 to 3 days.

HERBS DE PROVENCE INFUSED OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Pick a container that you would like to use for your infused olive oil. Most people will typically choose a 16 oz Olive Oil Bottle.
• Pour olive oil in the container 80% full. (The herbs will take up room in the finished product).
• Pour the Olive Oil into pot on the stove.
• Add 1/2 Cup of Herbs de Provence.
• Gently stir & bring the oil to a slight simmer, and turn off heat. (Make sure you do not mess up this step! Deep fried herbs are terrible in this oil, and turn golden! You want to keep your herbs de provence green!).
• Let the oil cool for 30 minutes.
• Repeat bringing the oil and herbs to a slight simmer, and then turn off the heat.
• Allow oil to cool to room temperature. (This could break your olive oil bottle if you don't allow this to cool).
• Use a colander to put your oil and herbs into your container. Use a fork to squeeze the infused oil from the herbs.
• The oil should be herb green colored, but should never form clouds. If you see clouds within the first week, re-simmer the oil ASAP. The only way to keep the oil from becoming rancid later is to remove as much moisture as possible.

ITALIAN HERB INFUSED OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Place basil, thyme, rosemary and oregano in a 12 ounce bottle. Using a funnel, pour oil into bottle. Cover tightly, and refrigerate unused portions. Use within 2 to 3 days.