Basil Oil Recipes

Steps:

• In a blender, puree the herbs and oil until completely smooth. Put the mixture in a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over moderate heat. Simmer for 45 seconds, then pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl. Don't press on the mixture, but you can tap the strainer against your hand to get the oil to drip through faster. Immediately strain the oil again through a flat-bottomed paper filter. If the filter clogs, you may need to change the filter partway through.
• It's okay to pick the filter up and squeeze it gently to get the oil out faster, but be careful not to break the filter. Sometimes a little dark liquid comes through the filter first. Don't worry; that's water. It will settle to the bottom because it is heavier than the oil. Let the filtered oil settle for a few hours, then pour it off the dark liquid. Store in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place.

Steps:

• To steep the oil: In a small pot on the lowest heat setting, add the oil, basil and garlic. Cook on low for 20 minutes.
• Strain the oil using a fine-mesh sieve and cool to room temperature. Add the fresh basil leaves to finish. Store in the fridge and keep for 1 week.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan of simmering water, blanch the basil leaves for 2 minutes, then drain and squeeze out as much water as possible. In a blender, combine the basil with 1/2 cup of the olive oil and blend for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as necessary, until very smooth. Add the remaining oil, blend just to mix and pour into a large jar. Cover tightly and let sit overnight in the refrigerator. Strain the oil through a double-thickness of slightly dampened cheesecloth into a clean glass jar. Cover tightly and use as directed in th recipe or refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan full of lightly salted water to a boil. Add basil. Blanch 20 to 30 seconds. Drain and squeeze dry.
• Put basil in a blender with 1/4 cup olive oil. Blend. With motor on high, gradually add remaining cup olive oil. Blend until smooth. Pour mixture into a glass jar or bottle and leave to steep for one day. Store in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add the basil and blanch for 30 seconds. Drain and rinse under cold running water until cool. Drain and dry the basil well. Place in a food processor with 5 tablespoons of the olive oil. Process until a thick puree forms, stopping several times to scrape down sides of bowl. Scrape into a clean glass jar and and pour in 2 cups of the olive oil. Shake well and store in a cool place for 1 to 2 days.
• Strain the oil through a fine mesh sieve. Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil through a coffee filter to dampen the filter. Fit the filter inside the rim of a clean glass jar. Pour some of the oil into the filter and let it drip into the jar. Continue pouring and letting the oil drip until all has passed through the filter; this will take several hours. Stored in the refrigerator, the oil will keep up to a month.

Steps:

• Blanch basil in medium saucepan of boiling water 10 seconds. Drain. Rinse under cold water. Pat basil dry with paper towels. Transfer to blender. Add oil; puree until smooth. Transfer to small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before using.)