Description
Mediterranean cooks treasure this garlic olive oil dip as a simple yet sublime sauce that elevates bread and vegetables. Rich Mediterranean flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each delicious bite with crusty bread or fresh produce.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 to 2 cloves garlic, very finely minced
- ¼ cup (25 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) dried oregano
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) red pepper flakes
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley
- Bread for dipping (focaccia recommended)
Instructions
- Preparation: Mince garlic and transfer to a serving bowl, creating a fragrant foundation for the dip by evenly spreading the chopped cloves across the base.
- Seasoning Blend: Generously dust red pepper flakes and dried oregano over the garlic, ensuring a balanced distribution of spicy and herbal notes that will infuse the dip with robust flavor.
- Cheese Integration: Shower freshly grated parmesan cheese over the garlic mixture, allowing the cheese to meld seamlessly with the existing ingredients and create a complex flavor profile.
- Oil Emulsion: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil in a steady, circular motion, carefully blending the ingredients to create a harmonious and silky texture that captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.
- Final Seasoning: Delicately sprinkle kosher salt and crack fresh black pepper across the surface, tasting and adjusting to achieve the perfect balance of flavors that will tantalize the palate.
- Garnish and Serve: Scatter finely chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves as a vibrant garnish, then present immediately with warm crusty bread or artisan breadsticks for an irresistible appetizer that celebrates simple, elegant flavors.
Notes
- Slice Garlic Precisely: Use a sharp knife to mince garlic uniformly, releasing maximum flavor without bruising the delicate cells.
- Balance Spice Carefully: Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal heat tolerance, starting with a light sprinkle and increasing gradually.
- Select Quality Olive Oil: Choose extra virgin olive oil with a robust, fruity profile to enhance the dip’s overall Mediterranean character.
- Serve at Room Temperature: Allow ingredients to sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to help flavors meld and develop a more complex taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg