How to Make Healthy and Tasty Oil and Vinegar Dip for Bread

Crusty breads taste best with dipping oil.

Italian bread and dipping oil is a delicious appetizer you may want to serve with dinner. Dried herbs as well as balsamic vinegar added to quality oil make bread-dipping oil a tasty and healthy treat. According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, a study done by researchers led to the conclusion that phenolic compounds, which are found in olive oil, alter genes that play a part in inflammation. Herbs contain antioxidants that promote good health. If you are going to make bread-dipping oil, use extra-virgin olive oil, since it is the purist.

Things You'll Need

• One dinner size flat white dish
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp. jarred minced garlic
• Teaspoon
• 1/2 tsp. crushed dried rosemary
• 1/4 tsp. dried oregano
• Red pepper flakes to taste

Instructions

1. Pour 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil in the center of the white dish. A white dish is used because the golden oil and dark balsamic vinegar look attractive against a white background. Yes, this dish is an appetizer, but it also makes a lovely presentation. Think of the white plate as a canvas for the food art you are about to create.

2. Add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic to the extra-virgin olive oil after pouring the oil in the dish and blend by stirring with a teaspoon.

3. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp. crushed dried rosemary over the oil. Distribute the rosemary evenly.

4. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp. dried oregano over the oil. Distribute the oregano evenly.

5. Mix the herbs into the oil, using the teaspoon.

6. Add the vinegar to the oil, then drag the teaspoon through the oil in a zigzag motion to pull the vinegar through the oil and make a fancy design. Note that you may have trouble moving the vinegar through the oil in one continuous line, but this is nothing to be concerned about since almost any pattern you create should look pleasing to the eye.

7. Sprinkle red pepper flakes on top of the oil once you are satisfied with the way the bread dipping oil looks. Use red pepper flakes sparingly since this spice is a hot one.

8. Serve with crusty Italian bread and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• For even more flavor, add finely-chopped sun dried tomatoes packed in olive oil to your olive oil dip.

• Edits are done. Thanks for your help.

References

• U.S. States Department of Agriculture; Molecular Biology Provides Clues to Health Benefits of Olive Oil; Rosalie Marion Bliss, et al; June 28, 2010
• U.S. States Department of Agriculture; Herbs Spice Up Your Antioxidant Protection; Rosalie Marion Bliss, et al; February 12, 2002