Keep herb infused oils in fancy bottles
The bottles of infused coconut or olive oil on the grocery store shelf are pretty, yet expensive. In an afternoon, you can make your own infused oils for a fraction of the cost and by making them at home, you get to select your favorite herbs and spices. Infusing coconut oil will give you rich, lightly flavored oil; infused olive oil has a stronger herb flavor. There are two methods to infuse oils, one considered a hot infusion while the second method uses only warm oil.
Instructions
Hot Method
1. Place one cup of the desired herbs into a large saucepan. Some herbs to consider are whole fresh tarragon, rosemary, dill and oregano.
2. Cover with two cups of coconut or olive oil and heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 140 degrees F. This should take approximately five minutes. You'll start to smell the aroma of the herbs.
3. Remove the pan from the heat, transfer to a large mixing bowl and allow the mixture to cool. Taste the mixture to make sure the herb flavor is very strong. If not, repeat the heating process.
4. Add two additional cups of oil to the flavored mixture. Stir to incorporate the oil.
5. Place a cheesecloth-lined colander over a second large bowl. Strain the oil through the cheesecloth.
6. Insert the funnel in the first decorative bottle. Slowly fill the bottle with the infused oil. Repeat with the remaining bottles. This recipe makes four cups, or one quart of flavored oil, so you will need enough bottles to hold that amount. For example, you will need four, eight ounce bottles.
Cold Method (Single Bottle)
7. Bruise approximately two tablespoons of herbs by rubbing them between two fingers. This will help release their flavor and aroma.
8. Warm enough oil to fill one decorative bottle to 140 degrees F.
9. Place the bruised herbs into the bottle.
10. Place the funnel in the open bottle and carefully fill the bottle with warm oil.
11. Place the cap on the bottle and allow it to sit for two weeks on the kitchen counter or a pantry shelf.
Tags: bottle with, coconut olive, decorative bottle, fill bottle, fill bottle with, herb flavor
