Buzz
Pairing fat with bread is a simple, affordable way to delight any crowd. You can either spread the fat on the bread or dip the bread into the fat, both of which are excellent choices. Dipping bread into a premium olive oil is inherently satisfying. While a fine olive oil may already offer herbal, fruity, or peppery notes, you can further elevate the experience by incorporating a few additional ingredients.
Discover how to create your own luxurious dipping oil using ingredients likely already in your pantry.
Declutter and utilize your spice collection
It’s highly likely that you have one or more small jars of dried herbs and spices of unknown origin and age sitting on your spice rack. Even if they’ve lost some of their potency, the oil will extract whatever flavor remains. While many dipping oil recipes emphasize Italian herbs like oregano, parsley, basil, and red pepper flakes, don’t overlook Middle Eastern spices such as sumac, which pairs wonderfully with coriander, cumin, paprika, and (once again) parsley.
You don’t really need a recipe
Although countless dipping oil recipes exist, you don’t need to adhere to one. Begin with a cup of high-quality olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Choose a couple of dried herbs to highlight, adding a teaspoon of each. Incorporate complementary herbs in 1/4-teaspoon amounts and ground spices in 1/8-teaspoon increments. Allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes to let the flavors infuse, then taste and adjust as necessary.
Add a garlicky twist
While you could use garlic powder, this is an instance where fresh ingredients are worth the effort. Adding a couple of mashed or minced garlic cloves to a cup of oil should suffice, but for a sweeter, milder flavor, try mixing in four roasted cloves. (A pinch of garlic powder can also be added for an extra layer of toasty flavor, complementing the fresh or roasted garlic.)
Enhance the savory flavor
While salt works well, monosodium glutamate (MSG) is even better for boosting umami. Glutamates add a deeper, richer savory taste to your oil, and just a pinch of pure MSG is enough to achieve this effect.
Parmesan cheese is another excellent source of glutamates, though you’ll need a larger quantity. Adding one or two tablespoons per cup of oil is ideal; opt for high-quality Parmesan with crunchy crystals for an extra nutty, savory kick.
Introduce a touch of acidity
A splash of balsamic vinegar can balance the herbal flavors in your oil and create an appealing visual effect as it forms small droplets. Dipping your bread allows you to enjoy both the oil and vinegar in each bite, and the mix of acid and fat will keep you reaching for more. For a subtler touch, whisk in fresh lemon juice or express oils from a strip of zest to add a fragrant, floral note. (If you love lemon, you can even grate zest into the herb mixture.)
