GARLIC-INFUSED OIL AND DIPPING SAUCE

Garlic-Infused Oil and Dipping Sauce image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h13m

Yield 1/2 cup oil

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Balsamic vinegar
Pinch red pepper flakes
Pinch salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Finely grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
Hot crusty loaf Italian or French bread, sliced

Steps:

To make the garlic oil, in a small saucepan, gently heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until it is fragrant but not colored, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool. Cover and let steep for 1 hour. Strain into a sterilized bottle or jar and discard the garlic. Use within 24 hours. (Or store in a sterilized container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.)
To make the dipping sauce, place the oil at room temperature in a shallow bowl or decorative plate. Swirl a drizzle of balsamic decoratively into the center. Sprinkle with the pepper flakes, salt, and ground black pepper, and top with a light coating of cheese.
Serve as a dip for hot bread.