Garlic-Infused Oil And Dipping Sauce - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
balsamic vinegar
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 pinch salt
fresh ground black pepper
finely grated parmesan cheese or romano cheese

Preparation

To make the garlic oil, in a small saucepan, gently heat the oil over medium heat.
Add the garlic and cook until it is fragrant but not colored, 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and let cool.
Cover and let steep for 1 hour.
Strain into a sterilized bottle or jar and discard the garlic.
Use within 24 hours. (Or store in a sterilized container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.)
To make the dipping sauce, place the oil at room temperature in a shallow bowl or decorative plate.
Swirl a drizzle of balsamic decoratively into the center.
Sprinkle with the pepper flakes, salt, and ground black pepper, and top with a light coating of cheese.
***Cook time does not include letting the oil steep for 1 hour.