Garlic parmesan olive oil is a versatile condiment that can add flavor to many dishes. It is made by infusing olive oil with garlic and parmesan cheese. The savory garlic and nutty parmesan complement the fruity olive oil beautifully. Garlic parmesan olive oil can take your cooking to the next level and make even simple dishes taste gourmet. Read on to learn all the ways to use this flavorful oil!
Dipping Oil
One of the most popular uses for garlic parmesan olive oil is as a dipping oil. It can be used for dipping bread, vegetables, and more. The rich flavors of the garlic and parmesan make it far more interesting than regular olive oil. Here are some ideas for how to use garlic parmesan oil as a dipper:
- Bread – Drizzle it over slices of crusty bread for an instant appetizer.
- Vegetables – Use it for dipping fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, and cherry tomatoes.
- Cheese – Try dipping cubes of parmesan, mozzarella, or other favorite cheeses in it.
- Meat – It’s great for dipping chicken strips, grilled shrimp, steak bites, etc.
- Fruit – Drizzle over fresh fruit like strawberries, apple slices, and melon.
The rich, savory flavor of the oil complements all of these foods wonderfully. Set out a bowl of garlic parmesan olive oil with bread and veggies for an easy appetizer any time.
Drizzling Oil
In addition to using garlic parmesan olive oil for dipping, it also shines when drizzled over prepared foods. The finishing touch of the flavorful oil can make a dish go from great to incredible. Here are some ideas for drizzling garlic parmesan oil:
- Pizza – After baking, drizzle the oil over pizza for extra flavor.
- Pasta – Toss with hot pasta for a quick and easy garlic parmesan pasta dish.
- Salads – Whisk together oil and vinegar for the dressing, then finish the salad by drizzling on more garlic parmesan oil.
- Soup – Swirl into bowls of hot soup like tomato, minestrone, etc.
- Bruschetta – Drizzle over bruschetta before serving for tons of extra flavor.
- Vegetables – Lightly coat steamed, roasted, or grilled vegetables right before serving.
- Eggs – For next-level scrambled eggs or omelets, drizzle the oil on top when done cooking.
- Fish – Brush onto grilled, baked, or broiled fish fillets for great flavor.
The possibilities are endless! Just a light drizzle adds so much flavor without overpowering the dish.
Marinade Ingredient
In addition to using garlic parmesan olive oil as a finishing oil, it also works beautifully as an ingredient in marinades and dressings. The bold garlic and cheese flavors infuse into whatever the oil marinates without dominating.
Here are some ideas for using garlic parmesan olive oil in marinades:
- Chicken – Combine it with herbs, mustard, vinegar, etc. to make a chicken marinade.
- Steak – Mix with soy sauce, Worcestershire, etc. for a simple but flavorful steak marinade.
- Shrimp – Stir together with lime juice, chili powder, cilantro, and other favorite flavors.
- Vegetables – Toss chopped veggies with balsamic vinegar and garlic parmesan oil before roasting.
- Salad dressings – Use it as part of the oil in homemade salad dressing recipes.
The garlic parmesan oil adds a tasty flavor punch to anything it marinates. Make a batch of marinade and keep it on hand to quickly add flavor to meals.
Cooking Oil
Beyond using garlic parmesan olive oil as a finishing oil or marinade, you can also use it as a cooking oil. The olive oil has a high smoke point so it can be used for sautéing, stir-frying, roasting, and other cooking methods. The garlic and parmesan add tons of flavor as the food cooks.
Here are some ways to cook with garlic parmesan olive oil:
- Sauté – Use it to sauté vegetables like zucchini, onions, broccoli, etc. The flavor infuses right into the food.
- Stir-fry – For garlic parmesan stir-fries, use the oil to fry up meat and veggies.
- Roasted Vegetables – Toss chopped veggies with garlic parmesan oil before roasting for added flavor.
- Shrimp – Sauté shrimp in the oil for an easy garlic parmesan shrimp dish.
- Chicken – Use it to cook boneless chicken breasts, thighs, etc. for extra flavor.
- Potatoes – Fry cubed potatoes in the oil for garlic parmesan roasted potatoes.
Cooking with the oil lets you infuse the garlic and parmesan flavors right into your recipes. Keep a bottle on hand for whenever a recipe calls for olive oil.
Baking
The uses for garlic parmesan olive oil extend beyond savory dishes – it’s also great in baked goods! The oil adds moisture as well as big flavor to all kinds of desserts and breads. Here are some ideas:
- Cake – Add to cake batters like chocolate cake, pound cake, olive oil cake, etc.
- Cookies – Use it place of regular olive oil or vegetable oil in cookie recipes.
- Bread – Substitute for part of the oil when making bread dough like focaccia, pizza dough, rolls, etc.
- Frosting – For next-level flavor, use garlic parmesan oil in buttercream or cream cheese frostings.
- Sweet breads – Add to doughs for homemade banana bread, zucchini bread, pumpkin bread, etc.
The garlic and parmesan flavors come through but aren’t overpowering in sweet baked goods. A little goes a long way towards making baked goods extra moist and delicious.
Nutrition of Garlic Parmesan Olive Oil
In addition to being incredibly versatile and flavorful, garlic parmesan olive oil also packs some nutritional benefits. Here is the nutrition breakdown for a 1 tablespoon serving (Source: Nutritionix):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Total Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Sodium | 74mg |
| Total Carbs | 0g |
| Protein | 0g |
As you can see, the majority of the calories come from the olive oil itself. However, olive oil is a heart-healthy fat that provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. The garlic contains the beneficial compound allicin, which has been shown to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. And the parmesan adds a boost of calcium.
So in moderation, garlic parmesan olive oil provides flavor along with good fats and nutrients. Drizzle away for a tasty and healthy lift to all kinds of dishes!
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Olive Oil at Home
While you can purchase ready-made garlic parmesan olive oil from the store, it’s also easy and affordable to make a batch at home. And when you make it yourself, you can customize it to your taste and make sure it’s freshly infused.
Here is a simple recipe and instructions for making homemade garlic parmesan olive oil:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend (basil, oregano, rosemary thyme)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for spicy flavor)
Instructions:
- Add the minced garlic to the olive oil in a small saucepan. Let it infuse over medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Add the grated parmesan, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to fully incorporate.
- Store in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Be sure to use high quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor. Fresher garlic also has better flavor. Give the oil a good stir or shake before using to distribute the flavors evenly.
This easy homemade version allows you to tweak the ingredients to your liking. Add more garlic and cheese for extra punch, or tone it down if you prefer. You can also experiment with different herb combinations.
Making your own garlic parmesan oil at home is inexpensive, simple, and delivers huge flavor. This refreshing take on a pantry staple brings restaurant quality flavor to your everyday cooking.
What to Serve with Garlic Parmesan Olive Oil
Now that you know all the ways to use garlic parmesan olive oil, what should you serve it with? This flavorful condiment pairs well with a wide variety of recipes. Here are some delicious ideas for what to serve garlic parmesan olive oil with:
Breads
Drizzle garlic parmesan oil over freshly baked breads like baguettes, focaccia, rolls, etc. It’s perfect for dipping. Brush on pizza crusts or breadsticks before baking too.
Vegetables
It’s fantastic with any fresh vegetables for dipping or drizzling. Roast veggies and finish with a drizzle. Toss it with salads.
Pasta
For easy garlic parmesan pasta, toss hot pasta with olive oil. Sprinkle on extra parmesan too.
Rice
Stir a bit into rice pilaf or risotto for bonus flavor. Or drizzle over finished rice dishes.
Potatoes
Sauté potatoes in the oil or drizzle over roasted potatoes. It’s also great with mashed potatoes.
Meats
Drizzle over grilled, baked or roasted chicken, beef, pork, lamb, etc. Use to sauté shrimp or scallops.
Cheese
Serve alongside mozzarella sticks, baked brie, or cheese boards. Use for cheese fondue dip too.
Salads
Whisk into homemade salad dressings. Or drizzle over finished salads for flavor.
Soup
Swirl into minestrone, tomato, potato, and other soups. Also great drizzled over chowders.
Eggs
Drizzle over any style eggs – fried, poached, baked, shakshuka, omelets, and frittatas.
The possibilities are truly endless with this versatile condiment. Keep a bottle on hand to elevate everyday meals.
Storage Tips
To keep your garlic parmesan olive oil fresh and flavorful for as long as possible, follow these storage tips:
- Store in an airtight glass bottle or jar, away from light and heat. Light and heat can cause the oil to spoil faster.
- Refrigerate after opening. The cold temperature keeps the oil fresher for longer.
- Use within 2-3 weeks for best quality and flavor.
- Shake or stir the oil before each use to distribute the flavors.
- Check for signs of spoilage before use – discarded if mold develops or if smell/taste is off.
- Don’t let garlic cloves sit in the oil for extended periods, remove after infusing. This can breed bacteria.
With proper storage, homemade garlic parmesan oil can keep for 2-3 weeks in the fridge. For longer shelf life, consider freezing small portions to use as needed.
Conclusion
Garlic parmesan olive oil is one of those simple ingredients that can make cooking more enjoyable. Its versatility means it enhances everything from appetizers to mains to desserts. A little drizzle of this flavor powerhouse can turn an ordinary dish into something spectacular. With such an easy homemade version, there’s no excuse not to keep this flavor booster on hand. A bottle of garlic parmesan oil can help home cooks elevate their repertoire.