Mediterranean Sun-Dried Tomato Olive Oil Dip
A flavorful Mediterranean dip featuring sun-dried tomatoes infused in garlic and herb-spiced olive oil, enriched with grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Perfect as an appetizer served with bread, this warm dip boasts a rich blend of smoky, spicy, and aromatic notes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dip
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Oil
- 1 jar (8 oz) sun-dried tomatoes in oil
Flavorings and Aromatics
- 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
Cheese and Garnish
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the infused oil: Drain the oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes into a small pot, reserving about 1/2 cup of oil. Roughly chop about 1/3 cup of sun-dried tomatoes from the jar and add them to the oil to infuse it with extra tomato flavor.
- Simmer aromatics: Add grated garlic, finely diced shallot, dried oregano, dried thyme, smoked or sweet paprika, and red chili flakes to the oil and chopped tomatoes. Place the pot over low heat and gently simmer for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the oil to warm and the aromatics to release their rich flavors without burning.
- Combine with parmesan: Place the grated parmesan cheese in a serving bowl. Carefully pour the hot flavored oil and tomato mixture over the cheese, letting it melt slightly and blend into a creamy dip.
- Garnish and serve: Generously top the dip with fresh basil leaves for a vibrant herbaceous touch. 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 amount of red chili flakes to control the level of spiciness.
- This dip is best served warm immediately after preparation but can be gently reheated if needed.
- Pair with crusty bread, pita chips, or fresh vegetable sticks for dipping.