How to Cook With Garlic Flavored Oil

Garlic oil gives a pungent boost.

In the kitchen, garlic is a workhorse of the savory pantry. You can build whole dishes around it, like garlic soup or beef with garlic sauce, or you can use a hint of garlic to deepen the flavor of dishes. Garlic oil, or garlic-infused olive oil, has as many culinary uses as whole garlic cloves do and spares you the mincing. Explore the basics of cooking with infused oils like garlic oil, then get creative and expand your repertoire of dishes.

Instructions

1. Toss garlic oil with vinegar to create a simple, flavor-packed salad dressing. Serve the salad right after dressing. Or, use garlic oil on cold appetizers, like bruschetta, or as a dip for crostini or other breads.

2. Season steamed vegetables or baked potatoes with garlic oil, instead of with butter, suggests Mark Bittman of the "New York Times."

3. Use the oil as a meat or fish marinade for grilled dishes. Soak meat in the flavored oil, then grill. Add lemon juice or vinegar to give the dish an acidic balance, for round flavor.

4. Base Asian stir-fries in garlic oil. Saute your meat, tofu or veggies in garlic oil, then add additional seasonings or sauces to complete the dish.

5. Add a drizzle of the garlic oil to pasta sauces or soups to impart a stronger garlic flavor. Either top plates with the garlic oil, or drizzle some oil into your dish while it's cooking.

Tips & Warnings

• Garlic stored in oil can develop harmful bacteria, C. botulinum. If making your own garlic oil, refrigerate leftovers and use within 10 days. Commercial products have stabilizers that prohibit bacteria growth.

References

• Colorado State University; Flavored Vinegars and Oils; P. Kendall and J. Rausch; 2006
• "New York Times"; Flavored Cooking Oil: Easier Than it Sounds; Mark Bittman; June 26, 2009