Citrus Spice Infusion Oil
Elevate your culinary creations with this Citrus Spice Infusion Oil, a delightful blend of zesty lemon and aromatic spices. Perfect for drizzling over salads, enhancing marinades, or dipping artisan bread, this homemade oil captures the essence of bright citrus and warming spices. The infusion process extracts deep flavors, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet touch in your dishes. This versatile oil can be preserved for up to a month, making it an ideal gift for food lovers and an essential staple for your kitchen.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Freshly grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon (Zested from a fresh lemon.)
Whole cloves
10 (Whole.)
Bay leaf
1 (Whole.)
Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (Ground or whole, based on preference.)
Whole allspice
1/2 teaspoon (Whole.)
Whole black peppercorn
1/2 teaspoon (Whole.)
Fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon (Juiced from a fresh lemon.)
Peanut oil or vegetable oil
1/2 cup (Choose based on preference.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
2
In a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, combine the freshly grated lemon zest, whole cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon, allspice, peppercorns, and fresh lemon juice. Grind them together until you form a coarse paste.
3
In a heat-safe metal measuring cup or small metal bowl, mix the spice paste with the peanut oil or vegetable oil until well combined.
4
Place the measuring cup or bowl on a baking sheet to catch any drips and transfer it to the lower third of the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour to allow the flavors to infuse.
5
Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes.
6
Line a small strainer with multiple layers of cheesecloth and carefully strain the infused oil into a clean glass jar, discarding the solids.
7
Seal the jar loosely and store it in the refrigerator. The flavored oil will keep for up to one month.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Citrus Spice Infusion Oil?
It is a homemade culinary oil infused with fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, and aromatic spices like cloves and cinnamon.
What ingredients do I need for this oil?
You need lemon zest, whole cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon, allspice, black peppercorns, lemon juice, and peanut or vegetable oil.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 300 degrees F or 150 degrees C.
How long does the oil need to bake?
The oil should bake in the lower third of the oven for 1 hour to allow the flavors to infuse.
Which oils are best for this infusion?
Peanut oil or vegetable oil are recommended for this recipe.
How much lemon zest is required?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of freshly grated lemon zest.
How many cloves should I add?
You should use 10 whole cloves.
What is the purpose of the mortar and pestle?
It is used to grind the lemon zest, spices, and lemon juice together into a coarse paste.
Can I use a spice grinder instead?
Yes, a spice grinder is a suitable alternative to a mortar and pestle for creating the spice paste.
How much lemon juice is used?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.
What type of container should I bake the oil in?
Use a heat-safe metal measuring cup or a small metal bowl.
Why should I place the container on a baking sheet?
This is done to catch any potential drips while the oil is in the oven.
How long must the oil cool after baking?
Let the oil cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes before straining.
How do I strain the infusion?
Line a small strainer with multiple layers of cheesecloth and carefully strain the oil into a glass jar.
What should I do with the spice solids?
The solids should be discarded after the straining process is complete.
How should the finished oil be stored?
Store the infused oil in a clean glass jar in the refrigerator.
How long will the Citrus Spice Infusion Oil keep?
The oil will keep for up to one month when stored in the refrigerator.
Can I use this oil for salads?
Yes, it is excellent for drizzling over fresh salads as a dressing.
Is this oil suitable for bread dipping?
Absolutely, it is perfect for dipping artisan breads.
Can I use it in marinades?
Yes, it is designed to enhance various marinades with its bright and warm flavors.
What kind of cinnamon should I use?
You can use 1/2 teaspoon of either ground or whole cinnamon based on your preference.
How many bay leaves are in the recipe?
The recipe uses one whole bay leaf.
How much allspice is needed?
You should use 1/2 teaspoon of whole allspice.
How many peppercorns are added?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of whole black peppercorns.
How much oil does the recipe make?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of base oil as its starting point.
Is this recipe difficult to make?
No, it is a simple process involving grinding, mixing, and baking.
Is this oil a good gift idea?
Yes, it makes an ideal homemade gift for food lovers.
Should the storage jar be sealed tightly?
The instructions recommend sealing the jar loosely before placing it in the refrigerator.
What is the total preparation and cook time category?
This recipe falls under the < 4 Hours category.
Can I substitute the lemon with other citrus?
While this recipe specifies lemon, the method can often be adapted for other citrus fruits like orange or lime.