Enter the characters you see below Sorry, we just need to make sure you’re not a robot. Get the special blend of spices to make Carrabba’s Olive Oil Bread Dip at home! Have you ever been to Carrabba’s Italian Restaurant? They have some great things on the menu, but if we are being honest, I could go just for the olive oil bread dip, fresh bread and a carrabba’s bread dipping sauce of wine and be a perfectly happy camper.
I bet you already have everything you need in the pantry for this Italian bread dipping oil. What Else Can I Use It For? It can be many things, but in this case it is just a basic blend of dried herbs with a quality olive oil and a crusty bread for dipping. It is honestly one of the easiest and also most popular recipes I make. It is a wildly easy recipe and perfect for quick appetizer. When entertaining, I like to serve my olive oil dip with a variety of breads and crackers on an Ultimate Cheese Board, however I personally prefer either Italian or rosemary focaccia. The herb mixture isn’t just for breads either.
The spice blend will brighten up any pasta dish, especially plain white or Alfredo sauce. It can be sprinkled on a salad coupled with a few dashes of red wine vinegar or used to season chicken, beef or pork. Blend it with cream cheese or sour cream for a lovely spread or sauce. You can even use it as a marinade or baste is on grilled vegetables. Clearly, these aren’t just bread dipping spices, they are really an all-purpose Italian blend of deliciousness.
Carrabba’s clearly uses dried spices, but you can also use a variety of finely minced fresh herbs and spices. You can even mix and match fresh with dried and add a few of your own, like thyme or a dash of dried minced onion or garlic for more texture and crunch. A dash of balsamic vinegar or a few grates of fresh parmesan cheese are also great. The way you slice your garlic makes a world of difference. More garlic flavor comes with severing more of the fibers.
For less intense flavor use whole, roast garlic or garlic slices. In fact, so many people have contacted me to tell this isn’t the right recipe, but they all claim to work there and have differing stories on how the real olive oil bread dip. Some people also say it is similar to the Macaroni Grill version, but I’ve never had that one, so I can attest. What I can say is that it seems every location makes is a little different, so adapt accordingly. I do get asked quite frequently about the best olive oil to use for bread dip. The number one thing you want is an extra virgin olive oil, meaning it is the first press.
From there you want a quality product, but what does that even mean? Good, first press olive oil is what you want for drizzling and bread dips. It will be dark in color and a little tangy when you taste it. Of course, if you’ve just taken a trip to the Mediterranean or can guarantee the authenticity of the oil, go ahead and use it. Light virgin olive oil will be a little less pungent because it comes from the second or third press. This makes it better for using in recipes where the flavor of the oil isn’t the main focus or for frying.
In fact, olive oil has a fairly high smoke point, so while it is more expensive, it is perfect for pan frying. Flavored oils, like garlic oil or herb infused oils are also fun and add another layer of flavor sophistication. What is the best bread for dipping? What bread can’t you dip should be the answer! For this type of dip, aim for something that is hearty enough to tear and sop up the spices and olive oil.