INGREDIENTS

12 to 15 cloves of garlic, peeled
1 cup Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or enough to completely submerge the garlic cloves)
Optional herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves) for additional flavor

PREPARATION

  1. Prepare the Garlic: Begin by thoroughly peeling your garlic cloves, ensuring they are clean and free from any blemishes.
  2. Infuse the Oil: Place the peeled garlic cloves in a small saucepan. Pour enough Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil over the garlic to fully cover it. This high-quality oil is ideal for infusions due to its smooth flavor and health benefits. Optionally, add a few aromatic herbs like thyme or rosemary to the pan to introduce more complex flavors to the oil.
  3. Simmer: Heat the mixture on a low setting to gently bring it to a slow simmer. It’s crucial to maintain low heat to prevent burning the garlic while allowing the flavors to fuse subtly.
  4. Let the garlic and oil simmer softly for about 25 minutes. Keep an eye on the heat to ensure that the garlic infuses the oil without turning too dark.
  5. Rest and Cool: Remove the saucepan from the heat after 25 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool and steep off the heat for another 10 minutes. The residual heat will continue to soften the garlic and enhance the infusion.
  6. The garlic should turn a light golden brown, which indicates perfect infusion.
  7. Storage: Transfer the cooled garlic and infused oil into an airtight container. If you included herbs, you can choose to strain them out or leave them in the oil to enhance its flavor during storage.
  8. Store the infused oil in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. For best results, use within two weeks.
  9. Usage Suggestions: This delicately infused Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil is superb for spreading over toast, enhancing pasta dishes, drizzling over salads, or elevating any meal with its rich garlic flavor.Pro Tips: Slow and gentle infusion is key. Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil’s smooth and mild flavor is excellent for creating a non-overpowering garlic taste. Use this garlic-infused oil as a flavorful base for dressings or as a simple dip for fresh bread. Enjoy the depth and richness this garlic-infused Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil brings to your cooking, transforming simple dishes into gourmet experiences!