Homemade chilli oil

bbc.co.uk

Chilli oil is perfect to give as a homemade edible present for use in salad dressings, stir-fries or on pizzas.

Ingredients

• 450ml/17fl oz olive oil (not virgin)
• 20g/¾oz dried red chilli flakes
• 3-4 whole dried red chillies

Preparation method

1. Gently warm the olive oil in a saucepan. Add the chilli flakes and whole chillies to the oil and heat for 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave the oil to cool slightly.
2. When the oil has cooled slightly, carefully pour it into sterilised, sealable glass bottle using a funnel. (Caution: hot oil can be dangerous.) Add the chilli flakes and dried chillies from the pan. Seal the bottle.
3. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place, shaking the bottles once a week. As time goes on the oil will become redder and hotter.