If you are craving a little date night in, I've got the perfect simple starter that'll bring you to that nice outdoor patio seat at your favorite local Italian restaurant without ever leaving your house. Our Bread Dipping Oil uses your highest quality olive oil, a drizzle of fancy balsamic, and chopped fresh herbs with plenty of garlic to be a bread lover's dream.
Olive Oil and Herb Bread Dip
I have a restaurant right down the road that makes the most amazing Italian food. I usually stick to my favorite – the spaghetti and meatballs, but if I'm being really honest? I'd go there just for their crusty bread and incredible olive oil bread dip.
This recipe can be made with 100% freshly chopped herbs or you can use your favorite almost-fresh variety. We usually have a few various tubs of Gourmet Garden lightly dried herbs and the tubes of herbs too, and if that's what you've got? It'll be delicious. I'd stay away from using fully dry herbs as that changes the flavor pretty significantly, but the herbs in the tube and tubs are a decent way to shave some time off your prep and still have an excellent end result.
The restaurant down the steet does their bread dip really simply. Fresh herbs + great olive oil + fresh crusty bread. Now I can do the same at home, even if I don't have time to make a trip to the store or my local farmer's market for all my favorite fresh herbs.
Want to really amp up the flavor? Use some Herb Infused Olive Oils from Simply Beyond Herbs for the base of this recipe!
You need more PASTA in your life.
Recipe Shopping List
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here's the list of items you'll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh basil
- Fresh Parsley
- Red chili flakes
- Garlic
- Balsamic
- French bread
Try with our Traeger Garlic Bread
How To Make This Recipe
Wondering what you're getting yourself into when you make this dish? Here's a quick overview of the process! Make sure you follow the instructions at the recipe card at the bottom of the post while you're cooking.
- Prep – If you're using fresh herbs, get chopping! Chop the garlic too, into the tiniest pieces you can. DO NOT USE jarlic. Please. I know that's probably ironic since I used garlic from a tube, but it is different. Trust.
- Mix – Use the good olive oil. The good balsamic too. You're worth it.
- Let sit – If you have some patience, it is ideal to let this bread dipping oil sit for an hour or so before serving.
- Enjoy – Enjoy with your favorite crusty bread, or even slices of naan like you see pictured here!
Try a Red Wine Sangria!
Serve this with…
Bread Dipping Oil
Restaurant-style bread dip full of fresh herbs is just as good as anything you'll get when you are out to eat! Give me a big crusty loaf of bread and this dip and some good vinegar any day!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup high-quality extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh Parsley
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
- drizzle balsamic if desired
- crusty french bread
Instructions
- Place in a bowl and mix together gently.
- Spoon onto bread.
- Enjoy within a couple of hours, or store in the fridge for longer term storage.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 193Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 66mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!
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Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie
Monday 16th of May 2016
My children always want to go out to Italian just for the bread! They are going to freak when I make it at home for them!