infusing oils

itsstillmatt · Jul 6, 2011

Any guideline as to ratio of dried herbs and spices to oil for infusions? Since they are dried, I don't have to refrigerate, right? Halp?

kwilkinson · Jul 6, 2011

Don't need to refrigerate. I think a good ratio for flavored but not overpowering oil is a tablespoon of herb to two cups of oil, obviously depending on the strength of the herb and the strength of the oil. And obviously the longer the herbs sit the stronger they become, up to a point.

itsstillmatt · Jul 6, 2011

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

Don't need to refrigerate. I think a good ratio for flavored but not overpowering oil is a tablespoon of herb to two cups of oil, obviously depending on the strength of the herb and the strength of the oil. And obviously the longer the herbs sit the stronger they become, up to a point.
I want to make two. One with angelica root and the other with elder flower. I think I'll probably go a little strong, then I can dilute with more oil if necessary. Using grapeseed, so strength shouldn't be an issue. Thanks, dude. BTW, what is the issue with botulism in infused oils. Does it have to do with the moisture in garlic or something?

kwilkinson · Jul 6, 2011

To the best of my knowledge, the botulism comes from moisture in the food then being trapped in a (mostly) air-tight space for weeks on end.

gomestar · Jul 6, 2011

thank god for this thread. I was hoping for something creative to construct for distant family members before Holiday 2011.

/snark.

Continue...

kwilkinson · Jul 6, 2011

Originally Posted by gomestar

thank god for this thread. I was hoping for something creative to construct for distant family members before Holiday 2011.

/snark.

Continue...

I didn't know you spent money on anything other than Danny Meyer food...

mordecai · Jul 6, 2011

Originally Posted by iammatt

Any guideline as to ratio of dried herbs and spices to oil for infusions? Since they are dried, I don't have to refrigerate, right? Halp?

We ask the questions here.

gomestar · Jul 6, 2011

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

I didn't know you spent money on anything other than Danny Meyer food...

I spend, on average, no money on Danny Meyer food

Manton · Jul 7, 2011

I like danny meyer.

The only infused oil I ever make is garlic oil, which is just saving the oil left over from making garlic confit.

philosophe · Jul 7, 2011

Matt, what are you planning to do with the infusions? I've never tasted angelica root by itself but vaguely connect it with gin. Elderflower is a more familiar taste.

itsstillmatt · Jul 7, 2011

Originally Posted by philosophe

Matt, what are you planning to do with the infusions? I've never tasted angelica root by itself but vaguely connect it with gin. Elderflower is a more familiar taste.
I thought I'd try them with fish, either cooking the fish very slowly in them, or drizzling on top. Mainly, I was at this odd hippie grocery store where too many people talk to you, and they had all of these interesting roots and barks. I wanted to try. Anyway, I found out that angelica, being a root, needed to be done as a warm infusion. I did so. It smells great.

foodguy · Jul 7, 2011

it's my understanding (without looking it up to refresh my memory), that the botulism thread is just with garlic ... that it's a soil-born anaerobic bacteria that is also heat-resistant. ie: cooking garlic doesn't kill it and neither does submerging it in oil. just seems to make it madder.

HORNS · Jul 7, 2011

Botulism, being an anaerobic bacteria, grows in the soil and thus can colonize the garlic. If you put garlic in water, you do not have to worry about botulism because there is oxygen in water, but in oil the fresh garlic is sequestered from any air - so the bacteria can grow. If you cook the garlic and then place it in the oil, then you do not have to worry about the botulism bacteria growing.

But there's the whole issue with the toxin which can possibly be present before cooking and whether or not it is heat-labile . . .

Manton · Jul 7, 2011

man I must be lucky because I eat tons of garlic and have never gotten the botch

HORNS · Jul 7, 2011

Originally Posted by Manton

man I must be lucky because I eat tons of garlic and have never gotten the botch

It has to be an ideal situation - where air is cut off and aerobic bacteria do not compete with the anaerobic bacteria so the botulism can then divide. Some bacteria are "obligate anaerobes", which means they must have an oxygen-free environment to survive, but I'm not sure if botulism is one of those.

The botulism bacteria and/or spores (all you need are spores to start the colonization) are on and within the garlic, but the bacteria themselves are not in any sufficient quantity to be dangerous. Furthermore, your highly acidic stomach will kill any bacteria but not denature the toxin if it is already produced.

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