Infused oils are simple and fun to make!

First if you don't grow your own herbs, or have enough left after you have dried your herbs in the fall a quick trip to the local grocery store is all you will need along with a couple ingredients you probably have in your home. You will need a mason jar, grapeseed oil or an oil of your preference, a screw cap, crock pot or double boiler, herb of your choice, strainer with very small holes, and a container to store your finished product in.

Please make sure your herbs have been washed and dried over night.

Let's make herb infused oil!

So let's get started! Turn on your crock pot to a warming setting, while it is heating up get all your ingredients together. Get your mason jar and fill it about 3/4 of the way full with your preferred oil, next place the herbs inside the jar, there is no exact measurement here if you are using rosemary 3-5 sprigs should fill the jar. The more herbs you put in the more aromatic the oil will be. Put the screw cap on the bottom of the crock pot and pour roughly 4-5 inches of water in, the idea is to have about 3-4 inches of water covering the jar when you put it in the crock pot or double boiler.

Some people prefer to put the lid on the jar while it is simmering I leave it off to allow the heat and moisture to escape. You are going to let this simmer on really low heat stirring it occasionally for about 4-5 hours, once you have done that you are going to carefully take the jar out of the crockpot. If it is a large leaf herb such as rosemary you might not need to strain the oil before placing it in the jar you are using for storage. If it is thyme or loose herb use the strainer to separate the oil and herbs. Let the oil cool to room temperature, jar and enjoy!

I love rosemary infused oil, I use it for salad dressing with a vinegar and sprinkled herbs, I use it when I am making pizza I put the tomato sauce all over the dough and sprinkle the oil on top with chunks of basil and oregano and toppings. You can use your imagination try new things, heck why not you try making different infused oils.