Add a spicy kick to your olive oil. Besides spicing up your own kitchen, this will make a great gift. If you're looking for a way to add some heat and flavor to your dishes, homemade chili spiced olive oil is the perfect condiment to have on hand. This versatile oil can be used to add a kick to everything from salads to pasta dishes, and it's surprisingly easy to make at home. In this article, we'll show you how to make your own chili spiced olive oil, and offer some tips for using it in your cooking.
Now that you know why I was inspired to make this recipe I want to share some of the health benefits of olive oil and cayenne.
Olive Oil Health Benefits
In the past several decades olive oil has repeatedly made the headlines with study after study showing its health benefits.
It is most widely heralded for its healthy heart benefits and certain constituents of olive oil are now being studied for their ability to fight cancer.
As I shared in the olive tapenade recipe, the Greeks consume the most olive oil in the world, which amounts to about 6 gallons a person per year! Their incredible olive oil consumption is often correlated to their lower incidence of heart disease.
Even still, the U.S. is one of the biggest buyers of olive oil.
Sometimes I get the feeling that people in the U.S. are buying olive oil and then use it so infrequently that the bottle just sits around in the cupboard for a long time.
My husband and I have been increasing our olive oil consumption in the past several years and we go through ten gallons between the two of us each year. I promise you we aren’t drinking it by the glass. We just use it for practically everything, including light sautéing, kale chips and salad dressings.
I hope this spicy olive oil inspires you to use more olive oil in your daily life. When buying olive oil look for cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Unfortunately a lot of olive oil on the market is being adulterated with inferior oils so it’s best to get it from a reputable company or straight from an olive oil farm.
Cayenne Health Benefits
Today’s recipe uses two kinds of chili flakes. Both of these come from cayenne (Capsicum annuum).
Like olive oil, studies have shown that cayenne has numerous benefits for the heart. One study showed that it decreased lipoprotein oxidation in both men and women. Another study has shown it can increase insulin sensitivity (which can be a major factor in heart disease).
Cayenne also modulates inflammation and decreases chronic and acute pain.
Cayenne is hot and spicy and helps to warm up the body and increase circulation. This is a wonderful herb to be using during the cold months of the year. If you tend to feel cold or have cold hands and feet then cayenne will be a good herb to know.
Chili Spiced Olive Oil
This spicy olive oil can be drizzled on your pizza, soup or veggies, used as a bread dip or used to spice up your homemade salad dressing. The recipe below makes a medium spicy blend. Consider adding more or less chili flakes for your personal preference.
What you’ll need…
- 2 Tablespoons chili flakes
- 2 Tablespoons smoked chili flakes
- 1 Tablespoon garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups extra virgin olive oil
Combine the chili flakes, garlic granules and salt into a pint jar.
Fill the jar with olive oil.
Cover with a lid and shake well. Continue to shake this mixture every day or so for two weeks.
After two weeks give it a taste. If you would like it stronger you can add more chili flakes. If it is too strong you can dilute it with a bit of olive oil.
When it is done to your liking transfer the oil and chili flakes to a corked bottle or a bottle that has an oil dispenser on it. The flakes naturally settle to the bottom of the jar and can be left in for decoration.
Making your own chili spiced olive oil is a great way to add some flavor and heat to your cooking. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. Try experimenting with different types of chili peppers to find the level of heat that works best for you, and enjoy the delicious results !
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