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» Nita_Daniel - Dipping in olive oil I replied to a usenet article (on rec.fo

Dipping in olive oil

I replied to a usenet article (on rec.food.cooking) about dipping bread in olive oil instead of spreading with butter, and then I realized it would be of interest here. So, I have cut and pasted it!

In article <6qkd3g$foj$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,
cheech90@my-dejanews.com wrote:

> I was in a resurant on vacation and had a great appitizer that I can not

> replicate. The waiter brought a small dish out with some spices that looked

> like oregano, garlic and a few other spices that I do not know. Then the

> waiter douced the spices in olive oil and we dipped our warm bread in the

> mixture. The mixture tasted great... smooth and vibrant flavor! What is

> this? Does anyone know and how do you make it?

>

Basically, you place spices and seasonings in extra virgin olive oil. As
others have pointed out: a little goes a long way. As you sop the bread, you
pick up the spices too.

I don't recommend leaving garlic in oil for a few days; it can produce harmful
bacteria. If you want to get the flavor of garlic into the oil, gently heat
the oil, and sautee a couple of cloves of garlic for a few minutes. A *small*
amount of hot pepper (dried or fresh) sauteed in this manner will enhance the
flavor. Remove the garlic and pepper before serving.

Consider sauteeing whole black olives in the oil, and then preparing the plate
or saucer with the warmed oil in the center garnished with olives around the
edges.

Other seasonings that go well (and do fine stirred in at room temperature):
rosemary, marjoram, thyme, oregano, basil, chives. I tend to have the best
success with dried in this case. The flavor is more intense, and the pieces
more managable. The exception to this are chives; use them fresh. If you have
to pillage your summer garden, use the fresh for garnish.

Finally, you have to dip SOMETHING, and you won't want it to be wonder bread.
May I suggest focaccia? You can find out more about focaccia, including a
recipe, at Suite101.com's Bread Baking area (where I am an editor). The URL is
http://www.suite101.com/topics/page.cfm/...

Happy dipping!

------------

Nita Daniel

Bread Baking Editor

http://www.gurlpages.com/rants/machita

-- posted by Nita_Daniel

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