Flavouredoils 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.

FLAVORED OILS

Steps:

• Split open 6 to 8 dried or fresh chiles. Pack into a dry, sterilized 16- to 20-ounce jar or bottle (see p. 152), along with 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns. Heat 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons of olive or canola oil to about 104°F and pour over the chiles. Cover and leave to infuse for 14 days-a little more for a stronger oil. Strain and rebottle.
• In a dry frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon each of coriander, cumin, and fennel seeds together with a couple of dried chiles. Toast until they release their distinctive fragrances and just start to brown-shake the pan frequently to prevent them from burning. Crush the toasted seeds, then transfer them to a dry, sterilized 16- to 20-ounce jar or bottle (see p. 152). Pour in 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons of canola oil. Store for a couple of weeks before straining the oil and rebottling.
• Lightly pack a dry, sterilized 20-ounce jar (see p. 152) with freshly gathered herbs such as basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, or oregano. You can use individual herbs on their own or mix a few together. Pour in 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons of olive oil and store in a cool place for a couple of weeks before straining and rebottling the oil.