This recipe is one of the easiest and elevated appetizers on my blog. With kids home for the summer, eating al fresco, friends stopping by for drinks, I’m always looking for simple, delicious, fun appetizers to serve. This recipe will not disappoint you.
The idea comes from Italian restaurant’s tableside olive oil+balsamic dip for bread. This dip is an elevated version with freshly grated parmesan cheese, dried oregano, chili flakes and fresh garlic along with salt & pepper. The best part is it comes together in just 5 minute and most ingredients are fridge and pantry staples. Seriously this garlic oil dip is way better than any restaurant-style dip out there and will be a huge hit with your friends and family.
The recipe is very versatile with simple ingredients. The one thing I recommend is to allow the garlic oil to sit for a few minutes before serving, this way the garlic and oregano infuses the oil to enhance the flavor and the raw garlic has mellowed. Serve it at your next party with drinks and watch people come back for more and more. Its a perfect combo of garlicky, cheesy savory umami with a little herb and a little spicy, perfect for dipping breads, veggie sticks etc. I highly suggest making a double batch because it will vanish in seconds.
Quality Matters When It Comes To Olive Oil
Use a good quality cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil for the best robust flavor. I’m not saying it has to $$$, but look for deep colored, cold pressed extra virgin. Many artisanal shops will allow you to sample before you buy. It should taste robust, fruity, rich with grassy, peppery, clean flavor. Cheaper olive oils tend to be blended, light colored and weak flavor. If you’re in the U.S I recommend California grown for fresh local which tends to be fresh thus tastier because it hasn’t traveled for weeks across the world. We love California Olive Ranch, Temecula Olive oil and from other regions some of the Trader Joe’s and Eataly olive oils are delicious.
Ingredients Needed
- Garlic: freshly minced garlic adds the best flavor. For stronger flavor grate the garlic clove..
- Parmesan: add freshly grated parmesan cheese for an umami rich saltiness.
- Red pepper flakes: a little heat wakens all the flavors. Use as little or as much but not to much, it takes away the garlic flavor.
- Olive oil: Use a high-quality cold pressed extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Dried oregano: It’s not Italian without dried oregano, you’ll need a little.
- Fresh Herbs: for some color and freshness a little basil is delicious.
- Salt & pepper: sea salt and pepper to taste. Keeping in mind parmesan is a little salty.
Garlic Olive Oil for Dipping
Ingredients
- 2-3 fat cloves whole peeled garlic minced or grated
- ½ cup extra virgin oil oil
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ½-1 tsp dried chili flakes use as needed
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- salt and black pepper as needed
- a few basil leaves, finely chopped
- bread to serve
Instructions
- In a shallow dipping dish or plate with high sides, grate parmesan directly into the plate, add minced/grated garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Pour the olive oil and gently stir everything together.
- Check the seasoning and adjust if needed. Add a little fresh chopped basil and serve with bread for dipping.
Garlic, olive oil cheese what’s not to love. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Yay!! happy you think so too.