Description
This Sun-Dried Tomato Olive Oil Bread Dip is a Mediterranean-inspired appetizer featuring fruity olive oil, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, briny Castelvetrano olives, grated Parmesan, aromatic garlic, and fresh herbs. Visually stunning and bursting with flavor, it’s effortless to prepare and makes the perfect crowd-pleasing dip for any gathering. Serve with slices of your favorite crusty bread for an irresistible starter that transports your taste buds to the coast of Italy.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Dip Ingredients
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped Castelvetrano olives
- 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Maldon salt (for serving)
For Serving
- Bread (crusty sourdough, baguette, focaccia, or your favorite bread; gluten-free option as needed)
Optional Add-Ins/Variations
- Vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast (vegan variation)
- Dice of roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, or capers
- Fresh oregano, dill, or mint (herb swap)
- Cannellini beans or chickpeas (add for protein)
- Calabrian chili paste (for extra heat)
- Chopped green onions, pickled vegetables, or toasted pine nuts (if no olives)
Instructions
- Prep and Chop: Prepare all the ingredients so assembly goes smoothly. Finely chop the shallot, sun-dried tomatoes, Castelvetrano olives, parsley, and basil. Grate the garlic and Parmesan cheese. Fresh and finely prepared ingredients will enhance the flavor of every bite.
- Layer Flavors in a Serving Bowl: Choose a shallow, wide bowl or rimmed plate. Add the chopped shallot, grated garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives as the base layer in the vessel. This ensures every scoop of bread will catch plenty of flavorful and textural components.
- Infuse the Olive Oil: Pour the extra virgin olive oil evenly over the chopped mixture. The oil will start absorbing the flavors immediately. Stir gently to combine and allow the aromatics to infuse the oil.
- Add Herbs, Cheese, and Spice: Sprinkle the chopped parsley, basil, grated Parmesan, and red chili flakes over the oil mixture. Gently swirl just enough to distribute the herbs and cheese so they infuse their fragrance and flavor throughout. Adjust chili flakes to your spice preference.
- Finish with Balsamic and Salt: Drizzle the balsamic vinegar across the top, then sprinkle Maldon salt just before serving. The salt will partially dissolve, giving bursts of briny crunch, while balsamic adds tangy contrast and brings all the flavors together into one harmonious dip.
- Serve with Bread: Give the dip a final gentle stir. Surround your serving bowl with sliced crusty bread. For special occasions, lightly toast the bread for an extra crunch, or serve with a variety of breads to offer options. Enjoy immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use High-Quality Olive Oil: Olive oil is the star ingredient—use the freshest, fruitiest extra virgin olive oil you can find.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Cheese and fresh herbs mix and release flavors best when not ice cold.
- Don’t Overmix: Swirl rather than stir to maintain color and texture contrast.
- Salt at the Last Minute: Add Maldon salt just before serving to preserve the crunchy texture.
- Let It Marinate: For deeper flavor, cover and let the assembled dip sit for 20–30 minutes before serving.
- Make It Ahead: Prepare the dip (without final salt and extra cheese/herbs) up to a day ahead. Add those right before serving.
- Storage: Store leftovers (without bread) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Stir gently before serving.
- Freezing Not Recommended: The texture of fresh herbs, cheese, and olive oil can suffer if frozen, but the chopped aromatic mixture (without oil/cheese/herbs) can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Best Served at Room Temperature: Bring out of the fridge 20–30 minutes before eating; do not microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 2 tablespoons dip + bread
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 4mg