Bread Dipping as an appetizer or companion to the meal can be a gourmet delight.

When preparing for parties, consider serving Italian bread dipping as an appetizer. Present your selection of dipping sauces with a variety of bread and fresh vegetables and let your guests enjoy. As hors d’oeuvres the bread dipping dish is an excellent choice. Or, if the occasion is more formal and you are having guests to dinner you can use your dipping sauces for all the savory elements of your meal, and you might treat your meat to a dipping sauce marinade. You can set out as many dipping sauces as you like for your guests to try. A novel idea you might like to try is to invite guests to bring a dipping sauce that each of them has created so that everyone has a chance to try a different recipe.

As long as you always have a good quality bottle of extra virgin olive oil you can create any bread dipping sauces that you like. But remember, if you are planning to make bread dipping sauces, to make sure that the quality of your olive oil is superior. If you like this dish then it is a good idea to always have a bottle of good extra virgin olive oil as one of your stock ingredients. You never know when you will want to create a fast appetizer and it makes sense to have a bottle handy.

If you are looking for a snack for yourself or your family, planning a party, or creating an appetizer for unexpected guests remember your bread dipping dishes for a fast, flavorsome, healthy alternative. It cannot be more simple or convenient and it’s bound to be one dish that you recreate many times over.

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Oil dipping appetizer for bread is the perfect addition to any pasta meal. It is advisable to adjust all seasonings to your taste. Serve with Italian flat bread, soft Italian bread sticks, or even a fresh baked French bread loaf. For oil dipping, soft bread is ideal, although some oil dipping variations encourage toasting the bread before using. When red ripe tomatoes are in season, add chopped or fresh sliced tomatoes to your oil dipping appetizer. The same goes with fresh basil leaves torn into small pieces and added to the oil dipping mixture.

Oil Dipping Variations

Ingredients 
1 Tablespoon garlic clove, peeled and pressed through a garlic press 
1 tsp fresh Basil leaves
1 tsp Rosemary dried
1 tsp Oregano dried
1 1/2 Tablespoon Parsley dried
Sea salt 
Dash of black peppercorns fresh ground 
Add crushed red pepper to taste

Directions 
Whisk together all ingredients completely. Place a teaspoon on a small dipping dish, drizzle well with gourmet quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Taste with an Italian bread slice, you may want to adjust the seasonings to your own palate. To serve, place a teaspoon of the mixture on a dipping dish, add the oil and blended herbs when dipping with bread. Add additional oil until herbs on plate are consumed.

Oil Dipping Recipe

Ingredients
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, wash, pat dry leaves, then chop 
4 cloves garlic cloves, peeled and pressed through a garlic press 
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions
Pour olive oil into a dipping dish. Add chopped basil leaves, crushed garlic and ground pepper.  Whisk together evenly. Serve with fresh baked warm Italian bread. Use quality ingredients for best results, especially extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil and garlic. Add additional garlic for those who are garlic lovers.

Oil Dipping with Italian Bread

Ingredients 
2 Tablespoons Cruets Gourmet Italian Bread Dipping Herbs and Spices 
Grated Parmesan cheese, to taste 
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions 
Place 2 T, Cruets Gourmet Italian Bread Dipping Herbs and Spices in dipping dish. Add water to cover the herbs. Let stand for 10 minutes. Drain Herbs. Pour olive oil over spices to cover. Stir to blend. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the herbs and spices. Serve as a dipping sauce with your favorite crusty bread. Makes 2 servings

Variation: add a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar, add small torn pieces of fresh basil leaves

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Italian Bread Dipping Oil

1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar, Italian Masserie Balsamic Vinegar
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, use Italian or Spanish olive oil
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated. Try to find a Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy
1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese
3 cloves of fresh garlic, pressed through a garlic press
A pinch of fresh ground peppercorns, black, white, red (optional)
1 loaf Italian bread
Assorted appetizer crackers 

Grate the Asaigo cheese. Add in a mixing bowl all ingredients except Balsamic Vinegar. Add Parmigiano cheese, and grated Asaigo cheese as well. Mix with a fork. Last, drizzle balsamic vinegar over the dip and apply to bread or crackers. Garnish with a dash of fresh ground pepper if desired

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Roasted garlic cloves recipe

Ingredients:

1 head garlic 
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil 

Preheat the oven to 375F.

Method:

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Start with some dried herbs and spices, which can usually be found at a Whole Foods store or online at Cruets.com

¼ teaspoon of each of the following:
oregano, basil, sun-dried tomatoes
½ cup of Spanish extra virgin olive oil
Ground black pepper to season
1 loaf of either Ciabatta, Focaccia or French baguette, sliced on the diagonal, about 1” thickMethod:

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Italian cooking can be described in an uncomplicated description as; ‘a love of simple foods prepared with care, and with fresh baked bread of course.’ Italian cuisine combines basic ingredients in a delicious way which features fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry, fish, pasta, breads and spices, together with olive oil.

Italian culinary traditions were developed as the building blocks of the Mediterranean cuisine, some refer to it as the Mediterranean Diet, but it is much more than a fad, it’s a way of life in Italy. Olive oil is an integral part of Italian cooking. Olive oil is always present on the table and is added to soups, sauces, pastas, and is drizzled over vegetables and salads. Extra virgin olive oil is served as a dip with fresh bread and balsamic vinegar.

Bread is considered as a fundamental in the Italian cuisine. It may appear as the most simple, but it is an important component of Italian food and cooking. Bread is in the midst of every meal. Italian bread is used in a variety of ways, bread dipped in fresh herbs and spices, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, bread for stuffing, bread for bread crumbs, or toasted bread for garlic and foccacia bread.

A long baguette with sesame seeds dusted over the top is regarded as a French Loaf. It is one of many favorite Italian breads. In Sicily the round panelle bread has a real brick oven taste to it as is also favored. It can be hard and crusty on the outside, but firm but soft on the inside, ideal for soups and oil dipping.

There is something unmistakably delicious about fresh bread dipped in extra virgin olive oil and spices. It is a great snack and appetizer. Place a bit of effort in selecting a quality fresh baked bread. A Supermarket “Italian Bread” that is white and, spongy soft, is neither appetizing or a good representation of what real bread should be. Some bakeries will offer fresh baked bread from authentic Old Country recipes. Of course, it’s all a personal preference and there are many types of specialty bread to choose from, such as Baguette, French, Panelle, Ciabata, or the Tuscan bread. 

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Benefits Of Olive Oil

If you have a genetic history of heart disease within your family, than olive oil will need to be an important staple in your kitchen. Olive oil has a high percentage of mono-unsaturated fat, has a great flavor and is used in many Mediterranean dishes.

There are two kinds of olive oil to keep on hand. Extra virgin olive oil and pure olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is used in salad dressings and other areas where cooking is not involved since cooking burns the olive particles and gives the food an off color taste. Extra virgin olive oil is the most expensive oil, but also the most useful for flavor and gourmet preparation. 

For cooking, use pure olive oil or light olive oil. Light olive oil is lighter in color and flavor though retaining the same number of calories as other monounsaturated fats.

If you feel like having something unique to eat, try creating an olive oil balsamic dipping sauce.

Balsamic olive oil dipping sauce

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 garlic clove minced in tiny pieces
• ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 (16 ounce) un-cut french bread loaf

In a shallow bowl, stir together grated Parmesan cheese, the minced garlic clove, the Italian seasoning, the salt and the ground pepper. Sprinkle the olive oil and the vinegar evenly over the cheese mixture and stir. Place the loaf of bread on the lower oven rack and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes or until the bread is warm. Cut the bread into 1 inch slices and dip into the sauce. Voila! A heart healthy snack to be enjoyed at any time. 

Olive oil is a heart friendly oil that has become most popular world wide. Merely eating at least two teaspoons a day will keep your arteries supple thereby reducing the risk of being diagnosed with atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis. It is even now claimed that the use of olive oil may reduce the symptoms of arthritis as well as contributing to better gall bladder function and the ability to reduce breast and colon cancer.

Due to the increasing number of stresses in our lives, our bodies are in a constant state of inflammation. This inflammatory process contributes to a host of diseases, some life threatening. With the use of olive oil on a daily basis, this process is greatly reduced so that the body can do what it does best, provide a healthy environment conducive to healthy living. With elevated cholesterol on the rise, especially the LDL and triglycerides (which promote high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems), consuming olive oil on a daily basis will help maintain good blood lipid readings. Prescription medications come with their unique side effects and if the final blood panel results can be kept within normal readings, than use an organic means to do so. It is so much better for your health. Olive oil is very beneficial for your health.

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Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

Vinaigrette dressings have taken over the primarily sweet and thick dressing that was so popular several years ago. Not only are vinaigrette dressings used on salads but this dressing is also used as sauces for fish and other main course meals. Over the fruit salads and even desserts, chefs are concocting a sweetened mint raspberry vinaigrette to serve to their clientele.

Vinaigrette dressing can be used warmed or at room temperature. Even though the name implies the use of vinegar, citrus juice or any other acid ingredient can be used instead of the vinegar.

Vinegar with a distinctive flavor is also a choice. Key ingredients are sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, raspberry vinegar and honey vinegar. Even herbs have the benefit of blending with vinegar as does the garlic and shallot family. The oil used is extra virgin olive oil but hazelnut oil, walnut oil, red pepper oil, herb oil, ginger flavored oil, sesame oil or a spice oil will each add its unique flavor.

Sautéing vegetables, fish, poultry or the meat in bacon, chicken or duck fat and then adding some vinegar when the cooking is done will create a vinaigrette that is used to pour over the sautéed food. A French bistro salad is made from salad greens in which diced bacon is sautéed and vinegar added.

Vinaigrette dressing should be harmoniously blended using vinegar and oil. If unsure, mix three parts of oil to one part of vinegar or any another acidic food. If sweetness can be tasted in a citrus food, than mixing two parts oil to one of acid may be used or even one to one.

When marinating meat, fish, or poultry, the acid in the vinaigrette should be increased. If raw meat, fish or poultry is to be marinated, do not pour the same marinade over cooked food. Raw food may contain harmful bacteria. Boil the marinade first or even prepare a fresh batch to be used as a sauce.

It is quite simple to prepare a vinaigrette as a dressing; just taste and adjust as you prepare using just the right amount of oil or vinegar. In a tightly enclosed container, vinaigrette dressing can be stored for months in the refrigerator. Since oil and vinegar do tend to separate, vigorous shaking of the container will once again blend the key ingredients. And if need be, prepared mustard can be combine in the vinegar before adding oil.

To add a unique flavor to a basic vinaigrette dressing, include grated minced herbs or crumbled cheese. To it, different diced fruits can be added as well as mixing soy sauce and sugar in some recipes. That is what is so nice about preparing vinaigrette dressing. Just being able to combine your particular spices and seasonings can, in reality, form a signature dressing that you can share with your friends and family. Whether mild in taste or somewhat “zippy”, a vinaigrette dressing should be light and subtle – a flavor just to add that special taste whether to a salad or to the main entrée. 

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People hear the phrase ‘Mediterranean Diet’ and they are looking for a standard diet plan. Unfortunately, this is a case of mistaken identity. The Mediterranean diet is based on the eating habits that are adhered to by those living in the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean Sea has 10 countries surrounding it and while they all have their own idiosyncrasies to their diets, they share the common emphasis on cereals, nuts, legumes, fruits, vegetables and of course Olive oil.

Monounsaturated fats in olive oil:

When researches try to figure out why the Mediterranean diet is so successful as related to people’s health, the first thing they look at is olive oil as it is usually the sole fat used in food preparation. It is a rare case that you will find someone in this region using something like butter. The fact that it is rich in monounsaturated fats is further enhanced with it also being a great source of antioxidants which are proven to help in heart disease and other major health issues. You must remember, they use this for everything from preparing sauces and vegetables to frying fish and it is the key ingredient to their salad dressings.

Compared to other regions, the people of the Mediterranean experience a much lower rate of heart disease. Research has been focused in this area for some time and it has been found that one of the major reasons is the type of diet that they have.

The Mediterranean diet features:

Low amounts of alcohol
Intake of large amounts of foods rich in antioxidants
Small or limited portions of red meat
Grilled and steamed fish in moderation
Moderate consumption of olive oil as it pertains to fresh vegetables and dressings
Large consumption of legumes and vegetables (5 different varities) and fruits (about 4 servings per day)
Large quantities of potatoes, bulgur, rice, pasta, breads, polenta, and couscous
Exercise is also a large part of their daily routines

The people of Spain, southern France, North Africa (mostly Morocco and Tunisia), Portugal, the Balkans, Turkey, other regions of the Middle East and Italy all have a diet that is a variation of the Mediterranean diet.

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The Mediterranean Diet’s Most Important Ingredient: Olive Oil

When we talk about the Mediterranean Diet, we are not speaking about a specific set or rules for a diet, instead we are talking about habits that have been adhered to that have been linked to the reduction in heart disease, mortality rates and cancer.

Health professionals are in agreement that the diet of those living in the Mediterranean have much healthier eating habits than those living in America and Northern Europe. The Meds consume much larger quantities of things like vegetables, legumes, fruits, grains, nuts and of course, olive oil. Quality olive oil is loaded with antioxidants and monounsaturated fats. When adding an olive oil to your regular diet, look for brands such as Kalamata Extra Virgin Olive Oil, made in the Kalamata region of Greece, as it not only aids in your health, it will also give a flavor boost to you food!

Here is a quick dish that defines the wonderful flavors of the Mediterranean Diet:

Bruschetta with Tomato, Garlic stuffed Olives and Arugula

1 loaf bread, Ciabatta
¼ C olive oil, extra-virgin
2 C vine-ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
One half jar Iliada green, garlic stuffed olives, roughly chopped
Sea salt (to taste)
Black Pepper, fresh ground (to taste)
One bag baby arugula leaves (make sure you wash them)
Fresh basil, shredded and torn

Set oven to 350 degrees and allow to reach temperature. Take loaf of bread and cut into 2” thick slices. Lightly coat bread with olive oil. Place bread on baking tray and put into oven, cook for about eight minutes until you see that it has turned slightly brown around the edges. Combine all ingredients except arugula. When ready to serve, add arugula and combine.

Spread tomato mixture evenly across slices of bread and basil as garnish.. Serves 6

Makes an excellent appetizer for pasta and soups.

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