Imagine elevating every dish with a single, magical ingredient that bursts with complex flavors and professional culinary sophistication. Our Chinese-inspired infused oils and vinegars are not just condiments – they're your secret weapon in the kitchen, turning ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation time, you'll create restaurant-quality flavor enhancers that will make your friends and family think you've secretly trained in a professional kitchen.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 1 cup
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Fresh herbs (e.g., basil, rosemary)
- Garlic cloves
- Chili flakes
- Vinegar (e.g., balsamic, red wine)
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash and completely dry fresh herbs to prevent moisture interfering with oil infusion.
- Select clean, sterilized glass bottles or jars with tight-fitting lids for storing infused oils and vinegars.
- For herb-infused olive oil, gently crush fresh herbs like rosemary or basil to release essential oils and aromatics.
- Peel and lightly crush garlic cloves to enhance flavor extraction during infusion process.
- Slowly heat olive oil to approximately 180-200°F (82-93°C) to help release herb and garlic essences without burning.
- Add crushed herbs, garlic cloves, and chili flakes to warm olive oil, allowing ingredients to steep for 15-20 minutes.
- Strain infused oil through fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove solid ingredients, capturing pure flavored oil.
- For vinegar infusion, combine selected vinegar like balsamic or red wine with complementary herbs in clean glass container.
- Allow vinegar mixture to rest at room temperature for 3-5 days, occasionally shaking to distribute flavors.
- Store infused oils and vinegars in cool, dark place. Refrigerate to extend shelf life up to 2 weeks.
Tips
- • Always use the freshest herbs possible for maximum flavor intensity • Sterilize your glass containers thoroughly to prevent bacterial growth • Control oil temperature precisely to extract maximum herb essences without burning • Experiment with different herb combinations to create unique flavor profiles • Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best taste and health benefits • Store infusions in cool, dark places to preserve their vibrant flavors • Consider gifting these homemade infusions in decorative bottles for a personal touch • Start with small batches to perfect your technique before making larger quantities • Use clean, dry utensils when handling to maintain infusion purity • Taste and adjust your infusions to suit your personal flavor preferences
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: 4g
Protein: 0g
Fat: 216g
Saturated Fat: 30g
Cholesterol: 0mg
