One method to enrich the taste of a dish is to cook it with spiced olive oil. You can even pour the spiced oil over the lettuce and it's delicious eaten right away. Interested in making it? Apart from how easy it is to make, basically there are some tips that you must apply to make the oil last longer even if it is stored for a long period of time. Keep reading this article for the full tip!
Step
Step 1. Select the bottle that will be used to store the oil
- Use a bottle that can be tightly closed.
- If possible, use a bottle that has a cork stopper. Rust that is prone to forming on metal bottle caps risks ruining the taste of your olive oil.
- Wash the bottle with soap and hot water. Make sure the bottle is completely dry before use; To ensure all the moisture has evaporated, you can place it in the sun or leave it overnight.
Step 2. Decide what kind of spice you want to use
- Choose the type of spice you like or adjust the use of the oil in the future. Some types of spices that you should try are thyme, rosemary, sage, basil, and oregano.
- You can use fresh or dried herbs; however, make sure you first drain all the moisture in the fresh herbs to prevent the growth of bacteria in the oil.
- Usually, you only need to mix the oil with one type of spice; however, you can also combine two or more spices to create a taste and aroma to your liking.
Step 3. Wash the spices and dry them until no more moisture remains
- Dry the herbs by placing them in the sun for a few hours. You can also dry fresh herbs by placing them on a baking sheet and then heating them in the oven for a few minutes on low.
- Remember, all the spices used must be completely dry before mixing with the olive oil; you need to do this to prevent the proliferation of bacteria in the oil. Generally, bacteria will not thrive in virgin olive oil; however, the situation will be reversed if the oil has been mixed with water (such as water contained in garlic or similar spices).
Step 4. Mix the oil and various spices
- Place the dry spices at the bottom of the bottle, then pour the oil using a funnel until it reaches the surface of the bottle.
- Another method you can use is to heat the oil and various spices in a saucepan. This method is effective in making the oil absorb the flavor and aroma of the spices more quickly, as well as preventing the growth of bacteria due to cooking at high temperatures. To make the oil clear, make sure you filter it before transferring it to the bottle.
Step 5. Close the bottle tightly and store in a cool and dry place for one week
- The flavor and aroma of the spices in olive oil will become more intense as time goes on.
- Store the spiced olive oil in the refrigerator. If you use fresh herbs such as garlic, lemon, or pepper, make sure the oil is used up within a week.
- The shelf life of olive oil will be longer if you use dry spices (about a few weeks to a few months). If the smell or texture of the oil changes (a sign that the oil is stale), throw it away immediately.
Step 6. Spiced olive oil is ready to use
Tips
- You can also use other types of oil to make a spice-scented oil.
- Try combining various spices by imagining a mix of lettuce sauce flavors that suit your taste buds.
