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Olive Oil Balsamic Vinegar Bread Dip

Olive Oil Balsamic Vinegar Bread Dip

A classic Italian appetizer of high-quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar, infused with fresh garlic and herbs. It's an incredibly simple and flavourful dip, perfect for serving with warm, crusty bread.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

  • 150 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 large cloves of garlic very finely minced
  • 1 sprig of fresh rosemary leaves finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 50 ml high-quality aged balsamic vinegar
For Serving
  • 1 large loaf of crusty bread such as ciabatta, sourdough, or a baguette

Method
 

  1. Prepare Your Aromatics: First, finely mince your garlic cloves and chop the fresh rosemary leaves. Have your dried oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes measured and ready to go.
  2. Combine in a Bowl: Choose a shallow, wide serving bowl. Add the minced garlic, chopped rosemary, oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the bowl.
  3. Pour Over the Olive Oil: Pour the 150ml of extra virgin olive oil directly over the herbs and garlic. Give it a gentle stir with a small spoon to make sure everything is submerged.
  4. Let it Infuse: This is the most important step! Let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 10-15 minutes. This allows the oil to become beautifully infused with all the aromatic flavours. I find that this resting period makes a huge difference to the final taste.
  5. Add the Balsamic: Just before you're ready to serve, gently pour the 50ml of balsamic vinegar into the centre of the oil. Don't stir it in completely. You want to create distinct pools of vinegar within the oil for a perfect dip every time.
  6. Serve Immediately: Serve the dip with thick slices of warm, crusty bread. Encourage your guests to get a little bit of the infused oil and the sweet balsamic in each bite. This dip is best enjoyed as soon as it's made. For a more intense flavour, you could serve it alongside my Bruschetta Chicken.

Notes

For the best flavour, use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar. This dip is best enjoyed as soon as it's made with warm, crusty bread.