I’ve never shared this because it seems pretty simple but I recently had some people over and out of everything I put on the table, this is the thing I was repeatedly asked how to make.  It is truly one of those things where the sum is greater than the parts.  I played around with it after going to a few Italian restaurants years ago that offered a mix of some mystery stuff with olive oil to dip the bread in.  Forgive the sketchy amounts – I don’t measure anything.  I included the photo to give an idea of how it looks pre-oil.

Olive Oil Dip

1 clove fresh garlic, minced (we’ve talked about what happens when you use garlic salt – don’t do it)

More salt than seems advisable (coarser sea salt is best but regular works too)

2 shakes Italian seasoning

2 shakes red pepper flakes

A little more salt

Olive Oil (I use extra virgin – maybe 3/4 cup for a big loaf of bread and a crowd of folks)

A loaf of fresh, crusty bread cut into cubes – Italian bread is good and so is sour dough but any nice bread from the bakery will do

If it all has 30 minutes or so to sit before being eaten, the garlic flavor spreads throughout the oil a bit more but it is good right away too.  Yes, it really is that simple.