I like eating out. I think everybody does, right? I (obviously) also liked cooking at home but going out always feels special. It’s all the little things, mini dishes to hold sauces (even simple things like ketchup), garnishes, cloth napkins, a sometimes unexpected starters like crusty bread with infused oils. None of this is rocket science, and yet I somehow don’t manage to recreate it all at home often enough. I secretly wish every meal started with warm bread. If you, like me, have aspirations to make your tiny dining room feel like a restaurant here’s something easy to try this week: homemade infused olive oil.
You can change out any ingredients you like to make infused olive oil. What I’ve listed below are just suggestions/jumping off points for your own creative ideas. This also makes a really fun hostess gift the next time you are invited over to someones house for dinner and want to make a homemade gift.
Infused Olive Oil, makes 8 ounces.
8 oz. olive oil
3-4 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
3-5 sprigs of fresh thyme
Other ideas: red pepper flakes, other herbs (like rosemary), zest peels (like the rind from an orange) or hot peppers.
In a small pot combine all ingredients and heat over medium/high heat (below the smoking point). Heat for 6-8 minutes. Strain out the infused ingredients from the oil. Store the oil in a an airtight container (you can add in a few fresh ingredients to make it more fancy looking*).
Serve the oil along side balsamic vinegar with warm bread. Do it. Enjoy! xo. Emma
*Note: Never add fresh garlic to olive oil you do not plan to refrigerate. Fresh garlic cloves added to unrefrigerated olive oil can cause botulism poisoning.
58 Comments
oooohhh…this would be awesome gifties…thanks so much!!!
That’s a really nice idea. I’m sure that it tastes great with warm bread 🙂
Katharina
Peppercorns make everything better!!
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/balance-me-moisture-rich-face-cream.html
Yum! I always just pour some olive oil and balsamic vinegar into a plate and dunk away. I’ll add a sprig of rosemary if I have some. But your idea of actually infusing the flavors into the oil by heating them together is brilliant. I’ll be trying that for sure. And I love your little two chambered dish for the oil and vinegar. I’m with you … The little serving dishes really make a meal fun and I go about finding cool ones whenever I go to the thrift store.
I love your blog and your idea for homemade infused olive oil seems yummy
-xx-
Wow thanks for the recipe !
International giveaway on my blog:
http://www.thestilettoholic.com/2013/08/10/romwe-international-giveaway
Sounds great and so simple!
I think you should amend your note about botulism poisoning so that readers are really clear that, to be safe, garlic should always be cooked to kill bacteria before being added to olive oil AND then the oil refrigerated. And you should probably include it in the main body of the post.
I love infused oil, it always adds something special to a dish. I especially love chili oil, it’s always delicious. I’d love to have a go at making my own.
x
I could see myself snacking on warm bread and infused oil while I wait for the charcoal grill to be ready.
Ah this looks wonderful and the photos are lovely!
http://erstwhilefelicity.blogspot.co.uk/
What a great idea for a hostess gift! That warm bread looks beyond tempting.
http://www.fullbellywornsoles.com
I have the same secret wish, I love love love good bread.
Great idea! And sheesh thanks for the tip about unrefrigerated oil with garlic. I did not know that.
I’m not a big fan of bread at restaurants, but when you combine it with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, I’ll devour it. It’s all about the little favorites and I can only imagine how delicious olive oil is when infused with pepper corns and thyme.
One time I had fancy bread and olive oil with balsamic vinegar for my entire meal. Just cause I could.
This sounds really yummy. Reminds me of the bread and olive oil you get at Macaroni Grill.
this looks amazing
oh yum this looks and sounds so good!
happy weekend
infused olive oil? wow. i never would have thought of this. what a great idea. i have to try this. can you taste the difference a lot? or is more of a subtle taste?
I live infused oil, you’re right about it making a meal seem special. What a great idea for a host’s gift.
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This will be great giveaways and gifts!
http://annescribblesanddoodles.blogspot.com/
This is so perfect! I absolutely love olive oil and bread. I think I’ll be trying this with a tall glass of wine! 🙂
http://sometimesgracefully.com
Oooh, this has given me inspiration for a special meal I plan to make my boyfriend for our anniversary next month! 😀 I usually just buy oils already infused (basil infused olive oil is one of my favourites drizzled on salads or tomato bruschetta) but this looks much more fun and probably tastier! As always, thanks for sharing. 🙂
This sounds really delicious! I have a friend who loves cooking…maybe I’ll make her a set of these (rosemary sounds divine) the next time I’m over for dinner. Heck, I might even make myself some! Thanks so much for sharing this great idea!
xoxo
Morgan
https://wanderingrush.wordpress.com/
Sorry emma and elsie, but i’m spanish. I breakfast toast with infused oil everyday. It’s a traditiobal breakfast in Andalusia and I can assure you that oil infused with garlic cannot causr botulism. Maybe american garlic its not clean from animal feces, that are the cause of botulism. I’ve never heard a case of botulism poisoning from garlic olive oil in my country
Sorry emma and elsie, but i’m spanish. I breakfast toast with infused oil everyday. It’s a traditiobal breakfast in Andalusia and I can assure you that oil infused with garlic cannot causr botulism. Maybe american garlic its not clean from animal feces, that are the cause of botulism. I’ve never heard a case of botulism poisoning from garlic olive oil in my country
Such a great gift idea.. thanks for the inspiration! Also, I always want my (non-existent) dining room to feel like a restaurant…. I need a dining room first!
I LOOOOVE infused olive oil, but it’s too bad it doesn’t keep very well. Aside from the botulism thing, it turns rancid pretty easily. It’s amaaaazing for entertaining the evening you make it and probably a bit afterward.
http://cuddlyasacactus.wordpress.com/
That looks good!
Such a good idea! There are so many infusion options!
Just like you, I too enjoy eating out- there is something special about it, a happy feeling of sorts. I think it would be wonderful to recreate that feeling in our own kitchens. Thanks for the idea! Can’t wait to make my own homemade olive oil!
Cheers!
Akshara
Simply Akshara
Yummy! I just love infused oils. Serving it at home definitely adds a little bit of that fancy restaurant feeling.
Love the idea of adding whole peppercorns! Not only are they yummy, but they look fabulous in the oil too. Love it. 🙂
Yum, this looks fantastic and would make such a great (impressive) gift! xx
http://www.jessthetics.wordpress.com
I love a home made delight, and our home has been nicknamed Kym’s Cafe because of my lov for homemade things! No need to pop into a cafe when I’m around the corner.
Will be trying this for sure! Thanks for sharing!
http://kympiez.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/fancy-pants-another-brick-in-wall.html
Oh I do this all the time! It feels so fancy, I love it.
xo, Juliette Laura
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/InfiniteStyleShop
LOVE this. You know, this is the type of nice touch that simple but special and great to throw together when guests come over.
I’ve also been thinking lately about wanting to elevate our dining….nothing big, but just to make meals more special.
This looks sooo yummy!
Mafalda ❤
http://www.mafaldadotzero.blogspot.fr
great! want to try.
Valentina
http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/
Ooh lovely idea, perfect for dipping at a cocktail party! 🙂
Rosie x | Every Word Handwritten
Bread and oil, without a doubt one of my favourite foods! Yum!
http://www.lemon-freckles.blogspot.co.uk
Great idea! It is better to use fully dried herbs however because fresh ones contain wAter and can spoil in the oil and cause it to go rancid…not to mention the problems caused by harmful bacteria, botulism included!
Hmm. Thanks for the head’s up on botulism poisoning! I have olive oil and cloves of garlic sitting in the sun in a mason jar right now. Outside of the fridge. Yikes!
Don’t forget to store your olive oil in a darkened jar! It keeps it from getting bitter.
This is something I’d love to try and I’m currently taking notes with what I’d like to infuse the olive oil with 🙂
Lulu xx
https://www.luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
Fun! Gonna have to try this! So easy:)
Andrea
Boho Bunnie
I love infused olive oil, and I’m so excited to learn how to make them! Thanks for sharing!
ah! looks amazing 🙂
-Jianine
Such a great idea. I often stick sprigs of rosemary in my olive oil but it starts looking a little suspicious if left for too long
I have no idea why I’ve never done this- great little idea to jazz up a dinner party. I love a good garlic infused dipping oil at an Italian joint but the bread, oh the bread, is key!
xx Erin
Did you use just regular olive oil? Or extra virgin olive oil?
This sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try it.
This looks delicious – it actually would have gone perfect with my dinner tonight. Also, that asterisk at the bottom is crazy. Who knew?
I’ve made my own infused olive oil before and I love it! I use it all the time
Homemade Infused Olive Oil – A Beautiful Mess
I like your article for information. thanks for admin
I like your article for information.
Oh my god! It looks amazing!!!