chilli oil and other types of homemade olive oils

[pb1uk]

Hello all,

I'm in my first year of growing and have grown some cayenne chillis and i would like to make some chilli olive oil. I do remember reading somewhere though about some kind of illness that you can get from them. I was just wondering what that was all about and if anyone has any advice about making chilli oil and if i do anything wrong can it cause illness!

I also want to do some garlic oil from homegrown bulbs, is that just a case of chopping the garlic and popping it in with the oil?

If anyone else has any suggestions on other kinds of oils i could make from homegrown produce of any kind that would be greatly appreciated as would any other hints tips or advice.

Thanks

[sewer rat]

If anyone else has any suggestions on other kinds of oils i could make from homegrown produce of any kind that would be greatly appreciated as would any other hints tips or advice.

Thanks

I don't make oils with my chillies - I dry some, freeze others and the rest I make into chilli jelly - this is quite simple a plain apple jelly which is made in the usual way I stir in loads of chopped chillies (seeds and all) just as the jelly reaches it's setting point. I then pot it up and just before it finally sets, I give it a quick stir to ensure an even distribution of chillies throughout the jar. This vcan be spread onto sandwiches, cold meats or spoonfuls added to whatever you are cooking.

[pb1uk]

I don't make oils with my chillies - I dry some, freeze others and the rest I make into chilli jelly - this is quite simple a plain apple jelly which is made in the usual way I stir in loads of chopped chillies (seeds and all) just as the jelly reaches it's setting point. I then pot it up and just before it finally sets, I give it a quick stir to ensure an even distribution of chillies throughout the jar. This vcan be spread onto sandwiches, cold meats or spoonfuls added to whatever you are cooking.

Thanks Rat. Do you have the recipe for your apple jelly? it sounds good. Why do you freeze some of your chilli's? Can you use them directly from frozen in the same way you can with ginger for example?

Pete

[FionaH]

Quite a few threads on here and elsewhere about the dangers of botulism from using oils. Put me off doing it!

[sewer rat]

Thanks Rat. Do you have the recipe for your apple jelly? it sounds good. Why do you freeze some of your chilli's? Can you use them directly from frozen in the same way you can with ginger for example?

Pete

Re Freezing chillies - you can use these directly from the freezer without any problem at all.
Apple Jelly - Quarter your apples - no need to peel or core - and place them in a large pan with enough water to cover them. Bring to the boil then simmer until the apples have turned to mush - I also give them a hammering with a potato masher to speed up the process but then I'm an impatient kind of guy.
Strain overnight through a jelly bag - do not force or squeeze the pulp to extract more juice as this will turn the finished jelly cloudy.
Measure the juice and for every pint of juice add 1 lb of sugar. Bring to a rolling boil and boil til setting point is reached. Skim off the scum and pot up.

[Rhona]

I made a bottle of chili oil with dried chilies yonks ago and still using it in small amounts. I had no idea it might be dangerous (other than tasting too much of it - it's a firey fella).

[HotStuff]

Vinegars are safer than oils as the acidity helps to kill off the nasties. AFAIK Garlic oil is the big no-no 'cause of the risk of Botulism. Then there's Chilli Vodka