Garlic-Infused Olive Oil Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of high-quality olive oil (like the one we use for special dinners)
• 4-6 cloves of fresh garlic (just like the ones in our garden or from the market)

Equipment:

• Saucepan (like the one we use for soups)
• Fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth (we have this in the second drawer)
• Clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid (like the ones we use for jams)

Instructions:

Prepare the Garlic:

• Peeling: Remember how we peel oranges? Gently peel the garlic cloves like that.
• Crushing: Let's use the back of our big kitchen knife to gently press down on the garlic, releasing all those lovely flavours. Make sure to keep your fingers away from the sharp edge - safety first!

Heat the Oil:

• Just a Little Oil First: Pour a bit of olive oil into our saucepan, just enough to coat the bottom.
• Gentle Heat: Turn the stove to low heat, like we do for melting butter. We want the oil warm but not too hot.

Add Garlic and Simmer:

• Adding Garlic: Now, put the crushed garlic into the warm oil.
• Simmer Time: Let them swim together on low heat for 10-15 minutes. We're looking for a nice fragrance, like our garlic bread, but be sure not to burn the garlic.

Cool the Infusion:

• Off the Heat: Carefully remove the saucepan from the stove.
• Cooling Patience: Let it cool down completely. It's like waiting for cookies to bake - a bit of patience for a wonderful result.

Strain and Store:

• Careful Straining: Now, pour the oil through our sieve or cheesecloth into the clean jar. Do it slowly to avoid any spills.
• Storage: Tighten the lid on the jar. Remember, we keep it in the fridge, just like our homemade sauces.

Refrigerate for Safety:

• A Week’s Time: Use this special oil within one week. It's like the fresh milk; we use it while it's best.

Safety and Learning:

• Kitchen Safety: Always clean as we go, especially when working with oil. We don't want any slippery surprises!
• Adult Supervision: I’ll be right here with you, making sure everything goes smoothly.
• Food Science: Making this oil is like a fun science experiment, where we see how garlic flavour infuses into the oil.
• Culinary Skills: This is a fantastic way to practice kitchen skills like careful heating, patience, and the art of infusion.

By following these detailed, motherly instructions and safety tips, you'll make a wonderful garlic-infused olive oil. It's not just about cooking; it's about learning and having fun in the kitchen. I can't wait to see you use this oil in your next culinary creation. Enjoy the process and the delicious results, my dear!