How to Make Garlic Olive Oil

Garlic is an important ingredient in many recipes, lending its pungent flavor to everything from pasta sauces to roast pork. While it's available today in many forms, garlic-infused oil is by far one of the simplest methods by which to use it in your cooking. And making your own can save you money, especially if you do a lot of sauteing.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 large head of garlic
• 1 16-oz. bottle of good quality olive oil
• quart jar
• large kitchen knife
• small strainer or sieve

1. Separate the head of garlic into individual cloves. Place each clove on a cutting board and lay a large kitchen knife over it. Press down hard and fast on the blade of the knife to smash the clove. Peel the skin off and repeat with each clove.

2. Place all the garlic cloves in a clean quart jar and pour in the 16-ounce bottle of olive oil. Screw the cap on, and turn the jar over to distribute the cloves through the oil. Leave the jar at room temperature overnight so that the oils from the garlic are diffused in the oil.

3. The following day, drain the oil through a fine sieve and pour into a cruet or other clean glass container. Store in a cool dry place until ready to use.

Tips & Warnings

• Any type of olive oil can be used. The full-bodied extra virgin oils will produce a garlic oil that is good in salad dressings and dipping sauces. Milder oils will produce a more all-purpose product that can be used for sauteing.
• The garlic oil can be stored up to a month.
• After straining the oil, don't discard the garlic cloves. They can be placed in a resealable bag and frozen for later use.

[connieg1950]

on 9/28/2009 Making your own flavored oils saves so much money in the long run. Check out the prices of these oils the next time you shop. It's possible to realize savings of at least 50% this way, and end up with a product over which you have more control. Thanks for the input. Happy Writing!

[ljsomma]

on 9/27/2009 yummy! i love garlic olive oil.. thanks! a5!