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–+ servings
green herbs and garlic with olive oil and balsamic in a small white bowl with crusty bread on the side

Restaurant Style Herby Bread Dipping Oil

Source: donuts2crumpets
Restaurant Style easy to make Bread Dipping Oil with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar poured over garlic and fresh or dried herbs
Servings: 4
Prep Time 10 minutes
4.85 from 13 votes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cloves of garlic – minced or pressed
  • 1 Tbsp fresh basil (or 1/2 tbsp dried)
  • 1 Tbsp fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried)
  • 1 tsp fresh oregano (or 1/2 tsp dried)
  • 1/2 tsp fresh rosemary (or 1/4 tsp dried)
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp salt (OR 1/2 tsp flaked or sea salt)
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Add the garlic, basil, parsley, thyme, oregano, rosemary, red pepper flakes, black pepper and salt to a small bowl. (Remember to finely chop all fresh herbs!)
  • Pour the olive oil over the top and stir gently to combine. Let sit at least 30 minutes so the oil gets infused.
  • Drizzle the balsamic vinegar in just before serving.
  • Serve with warm, crusty bread.

Notes

A couple of tips for this recipe:
  • If you do use any fresh herbs for this recipe, make sure you cut them up nice and finely for the best results.  At the very least, try to use fresh parsley, that little bit of fresh makes all the difference.
  • Also, use good quality extra virgin olive oil.  Olive oil preference is ultimately really by individual taste, but if you need a starting point, there are a couple that seem to stand out as both affordable and tasty when it comes to popularity.  California Olive Ranch extra virgin olive oil which can be found at many grocery stores, and Kirkland organic extra virgin olive oil from Costco get rave reviews and I’ve tried and enjoyed both of these brands!  I also personally love Members Mark extra virgin olive oil from Sam’s Club, but you do you!  If you have a brand that you love, use it!
  • Use fresh garlic and press or mince it finely yourself.  It tastes so much better than the jar you keep in the refrigerator.
  • You can use regular salt for this, but if you have sea salt or flaked salt, it adds a little bit of beautiful texture to this dipping oil.
  • I like the flavor of balsamic vinegar with the oil, but if you aren’t a balsamic vinegar fan, just substitute a tsp of lemon juice instead.  It will help brighten it up.