Serves: 5
Total Calories: 384
Yield: 2 Cups

2 1/2 cups coarsely chopped fennel stalks and hearts
2 cups fresh calendula flower heads (18 to 20)
1 1/2 to 2 cups extra virgin olive oil

1. Place 1/2 cup of fennel in the bottom of a clean quart jar. Top with 1/2 cup of calendula flowers, ripping up their petals and daisy-like centers as you add them. Continue layering the remaining fennel and calendula, leaving about an inch of space at the top of the jar. Add enough oil to cover (still allowing an inch of space).

2. Using a butter knife, gently press down the fennel and calendula to eliminate any air pockets. Put the cap on the jar, and add a label that includes the contents, date prepared, and approximate date the oil will be ready (2 to 6 weeks from the preparation date).

3. Place the jar on a small plate and set on a windowsill. After 2 weeks, taste the oil. If stronger flavor is desired, let it continue to steep. Continue to check once a week.

4. When the oil is ready, pour it through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a bowl, wide-mouth jar, or measuring cup. Before discarding the strained ingredients (or saving for later use), either squeeze them with your hands (with or without the cheesecloth) or press them against the strainer with the back of a spoon to get every last drop of oil.

5. Transfer the oil to a clean bottle or jar with a lid or cork, and label it with the type of oil and date. Store in a cool dry place, where it will keep for at least a year.

For a Change . . .
• Add 1 or 2 bay leaves.
• Instead of fennel, use thyme or cilantro for a more subtle flavor.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 5
Total Calories: 384
Calories from Fat: 384

More Recipes from the Going Wild in the Kitchen Cookbook:
Flavored Vinegars
Flavored Vinegar-Making "Basics"
For the Best Results...
Shiitake Vinegar
Ginger Rice Vinegar
Nettles Vinegar
Pine Needle Vinegar
Cherry Vinegar
A Splash of Color
Orange-Pear Vinegar
Orange-Pear Vinegar with Nettles and Ginger
Strawberry-Vanilla Vinegar
Taste of Spring
Go Wild with Vinegars and Oils Mix and Match
Flavored Oils
For the Best Results (Oils)
Giving the Gift of Flavored Oils and Vinegars
Garlic Flower Oil
Basil Oil
Basil-Cilantro-Lemon Oil
Fennel-Calendula Oil
Garlic Basil Oil
Mushroom Orange Oil
Hot Pepper Oil
Tarragon and Thyme Oil
Lemon-Mint Oil