Citric Acid Free Moroccan-Spiced Herb Oil
Warm spices, fresh herbs, and golden olive oil come together in a condiment that makes almost everything taste more exciting. Cumin, paprika, coriander, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon are bloomed gently in the oil, building a deep, layered fragrance before parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, and lemon zest are stirred in for brightness. The technique is simple but intentional — infusing the garlic into the oil over low heat, then straining it out, gives you all the savory depth without any harsh bite. For anyone navigating a citric acid sensitivity, this recipe is a genuinely useful find because it relies entirely on fresh lemon juice and zest rather than any processed citric acid additives that sneak into so many store-bought sauces and marinades. The result is a vibrant, aromatic drizzle that works beautifully over roasted vegetables, grilled proteins, flatbreads, or even a simple bowl of hummus. A short rest at room temperature lets the flavors bloom even further, so patience pays off here. Make a jar on the weekend and you'll find yourself reaching for it all week long.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
For the oil base
- ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly crushed
Spice blend
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ tsp fine salt
Fresh herbs
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- 1
Combine the ground cumin, sweet paprika, ground coriander, ground ginger, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, cayenne (if using), and fine salt in a small bowl and stir until evenly mixed.
- 2
Pour the olive oil into a small saucepan and add the crushed garlic cloves. Warm over low heat until the oil is fragrant and small bubbles form steadily around the garlic, about 4–5 minutes — do not let the garlic brown. Remove from heat.
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