Make your own herb oils

Herb oils are great for adding flavor and color to dishes. Even use them as a garnish on soups or main dishes. Herb oils are useful in creating elegantly plated dishes.

NOTE: Make sure to only use fresh herbs, not dried.

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What you’ll need:

1 cup lightly packed soft-leaved green herbs (basil, chervil, parsley, chives, cilantro, or mint)
1/2 cup olive oil with no added flavor

How to make the oil:

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add the herbs and make sure to push the leaves under the boiling water. Blanch herbs for 5 seconds.

2. Drain into a strainer and immediately plunge into a bowl of ice water. Drain well and squeeze out all liquid.

3. Purée the herbs in a blender with olive oil.

4. Strain purée immediately through a fine-mesh strainer. Strain again through 4 layers of cheesecloth and put in a glass container. Use to garnish dishes and store in the refrigerator (it will need to sit out at room temperature before using because the oil will solidify).

Olive oil