Name: Simple Herb Oil
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups fresh herbs (basil, parsley, chives, tarragon — any combination); 1 cup mild olive oil or vegetable oil; 1/2 tsp salt; optional 1 garlic clove; optional pinch chilli

🌱 From the Garden

Make a batch whenever herbs are about to bolt. All-basil makes an extraordinary pizza drizzle. All-parsley is perfect with fish.

Servings

⏱ 15 Prep

🔥 2 Cook

🥕 Ingredients

2 cups fresh herbs (basil, parsley, chives, tarragon — any combination)
1 cup mild olive oil or vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt
optional 1 garlic clove
optional pinch chilli

👩‍🍳 Method

Blanch herbs in boiling salted water for 10 seconds then immediately plunge into iced water. This sets the vivid green colour.

Squeeze the herbs completely dry in a clean cloth.

Blend herbs with oil, salt and optional garlic or chilli on high speed for 90 seconds until completely smooth.

Strain through a fine sieve — press gently but do not force or the oil turns cloudy.

Pour into a sterilised jar. Refrigerate and use within 2 weeks. Bring to room temperature before serving.

💡 Chef's Notes

The blanching step is not optional — it locks in the vivid green colour and prevents browning.