Serves: 5
Total Calories: 640
Yield: 1 2/3 Cups

1 cup coarsely ripped lemon balm
1/4 cup coarsely ripped mint leaves
3/4 cup purple and white violet flowers
1 2/3 cups extra virgin olive oil

1. Place half the lemon balm in the bottom of a clean pint jar, sprinkle with half the mint, and then half the violets. Repeat the layers, 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 lemon balm, mint, and violets 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, 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 . . .
• Omit the violet flowers and increase the mint to 1 cup.
• Instead of violets, use chives or garlic chives.
• Substitute thyme for the mint.
• Replace the mint and lemon balm with nettles.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 5
Total Calories: 640
Calories from Fat: 640

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