Herbed Olive Oil Food

HERB-INFUSED OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Heat olive oil over medium heat until just bubbling. Add herbs. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove from heat. Steep 1 to 2 hours. Strain out herbs, and funnel into a clean glass container. Refrigerate up to 1 week; bring to room temperature before using.

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.

HERBED OLIVE OIL MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a medium pot, cover with cold water and add 2 tablespoons salt. Bring just to a simmer and cook the potatoes, uncovered, until tender, about 45 minutes. Drain.
• Peel the potatoes and return them to the pot (if desired, pass them through a ricer or food mill after peeling). Mash the potatoes with the milk and olive oil using a fork or potato masher. Stir in the chives, dill, parsley, 2 teaspoons salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

FRESH HERBED OIL PASTE

Steps:

• In a blender, combine the garlic, green onions, olive oil, herbs, salt and crushed pepper. Blend until smooth. Store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator. This paste may be kept refrigerated, for up to a week.
• Brush country bread or boned chicken breasts with the herbed oil paste and grill.

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.

CHILLED SEAFOOD SALAD WITH HERBED OLIVE OIL AND SEA SALT

Steps:

• Remove flaps from squid sacs if attached, reserving them, and cut sacs crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rings. Cut reserved flaps into 1/4-inch-thick strips and halve tentacles lengthwise if large. Remove tough muscle from side of each scallop if necessary.
• Have ready a large bowl of ice and cold water. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water cook shrimp 1 minute, or until pink and just cooked through, and transfer with a slotted spoon to ice water to stop cooking.
• Add scallops to boiling water and cook at a bare simmer 2 minutes, or until just cooked through. Transfer scallops with slotted spoon to ice water to stop cooking.
• Add squid to boiling water and cook 20 to 30 seconds, or until just opaque. Drain squid in a colander and transfer to ice water to stop cooking.
• Drain seafood well in colander and transfer to a bowl. Chill seafood, covered, until cold, at least 2 hours, and up to 1 day.
• Make herbed oil:
• In a blender blend together herbed oil ingredients on high speed 1 minute. Pour oil through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on solids, and discard solids. Herbed oil may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. One hour before serving, toss seafood with lemon slices and lemon juice. Divide seafood among 12 bowls and drizzle with herbed oil. Sprinkle salads with sea salt and serve additional sea salt on the side.