Mediterranean Sun-Dried Tomato Garlic Olive Oil Dip Recipe
This Mediterranean Sun-Dried Tomato Garlic Olive Oil Dip is a flavorful and aromatic appetizer perfect for serving with crusty bread. It combines rich sun-dried tomatoes infused oil, garlic, shallots, dried herbs, and paprika simmered to perfection, then poured over grated Parmesan cheese and topped with fresh basil for a deliciously savory and slightly spicy dip.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Sun-Dried Tomato Oil Base
- 1 jar (8 oz) sun-dried tomatoes in oil
Aromatics and Spices
- 1 to 2 grated garlic cloves
- 1 small finely diced shallot
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 to 2 tsp red chili flakes
Finishing
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Sun-Dried Tomato Oil Base: Drain the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar into a pot, reserving about 1/2 cup of oil. Roughly chop 1/3 cup of the sun-dried tomatoes from the jar and add them into the oil. This step infuses the oil with extra tomato flavor, forming the base of the dip.
- Simmer Aromatics and Spices: Add grated garlic, finely diced shallot, dried oregano, dried thyme, smoked or sweet paprika, and red chili flakes to the pot with the oil and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Place the pot over low heat and gently simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the oil to warm through and the aromatics to release their flavors, enhancing depth and complexity.
- Assemble the Dipping Oil: Place the grated parmesan cheese in a serving bowl. Carefully pour the hot flavored oil mixture over the cheese to slightly melt it and let the flavors meld. Garnish generously with fresh basil leaves for a bright and herbaceous finish. Serve immediately with your favorite bread for dipping.
Notes
- Use smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky flavor or sweet paprika for a milder taste.
- Adjust the quantity of red chili flakes to control the spiciness of the dip.
- The dip is best enjoyed fresh and warm but can be reheated gently before serving.
- Serve with crusty bread or crackers for the best experience.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Mediterranean dip, sun-dried tomato dip, garlic olive oil dip, appetizer recipe, Parmesan dip, easy party dip
