Basil Oil
Of all the garden herbs, basil has the loudest voice; it screams zest of the season.
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh basil leaves*
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ cup neutral oil, such as safflower, canola or light olive oil
Instructions
- In a high-powered blender, combine the basil, salt and oil. Blend on high speed for about 1 minute, wait 10 minutes, then blend on high speed a second time for about 1 minute.
- Line a strainer with a layer of paper towels or a couple of layers of cheesecloth and place the strainer over a bowl. Pour the blended oil into the strainer and allow the oil to strain for a good ½ hour.
- Pour the oil from the bowl into a jar. Taste and add salt if needed. Makes ¾ cup.
- Use basil oil on sliced fresh tomatoes and salads, drizzle it over chicken, fish or vegetables or use it as a dipping sauce for sourdough bread.
Notes
*Herbal oil can also be made using herbs like chives, parsley, tarragon and dill.
About the author
Martin Hoellrigl is an Austria-born chef, sommelier, hotelier and gardener, who currently lives in Capitola and runs Capitola Garden Feast—a catering and special events company. Martin and his team offer fun DIY dinners with personal instruction for groups of eight of more. “Our events bring teams and families closer together, because cooking connects our hearts,” he says.
