Simple olive oil bread dip

I don’t know about you, but if I’m at a restaurant where warm bread and seasoned oil is brought to the table before dinner?

Forget about it.

It’s almost impossible to stop eating it.

The delicate flavor of extra virgin olive oil is enhanced with oregano and basil, fresh garlic, and sweet swirls of balsamic glaze. 

It’s a beautiful balance of tangy, sweet, and salty.

Luckily there’s no reason to make a reservation at a restaurant like Buca de Beppo, Olive Garden, Carrabba’s, California Pizza Kitchen, or Macaroni Grill.

Olive oil dip for bread is so easy to make at home.

It uses pantry staples. And it comes together in 5 minutes or less.

Can’t beat that.

Make enough for two for a romantic evening in.

Or double the recipe & invite some friends over for a dinner party. After all, shareable plates are always so festive and fun.

Balsamic glaze: Although you can use standard balsamic vinegar for this dip, it’s even better with balsamic glaze.

Balsamic glaze is condensed, which heightens its sweetness. Plus, that thick, syrupy texture is downright addictive.

You can find it at Trader Joe’s or near the other vinegars at many grocery stores.

Here are a few of my favorites:

In a small, shallow serving bowl, combine the following:

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Grated or minced garlic (optional)
• Dried herbs
• Salt and pepper

It’s easy to personalize this olive oil bread dip by varying the ingredients.

• Replace all or part of the olive oil with melted vegan butter. (Since butter is salty, you can omit the salt.)
• Replace the dried herbs with ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning mix.
• Vary the herbs: rosemary, thyme, marjoram, and/or parsley are good options.
• Replace dried herbs with a pinch of fresh herbs.
• Omit the garlic to really let the balsamic glaze and herbs shine.
• Replace fresh garlic with ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic, a clove of roasted garlic, or lightly sautéed garlic.
• Add ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
• Add diced olives for extra briny flavor.
• Add a generous sprinkling of vegan parmesan cheese to the top.

It goes well with any of the following:

In addition to being enjoyed with bread for dipping, this seasoned olive oil works well for other uses.

• Coat veggies before grilling – on skewers or in a grill basket.
• Coat crostini before toasting & finish with tomato bruschetta.
• Toss it with pasta, artichoke hearts, olives, cherry tomatoes, and roasted chickpeas for a delicious main course.
• Drizzle it on a leafy green salad, similar to balsamic vinaigrette.
• Add it to a charcuterie board along with crusty bread.