Basil Oil

Since the speck-cucumber relish called for basil oil, here is a recipe:

1# basil, leaves only

1 tsp salt

3 cups grapeseed oil

- blanch basil for no more than 5 seconds and remove to ice water; handle basil as little as possible

- puree with salt in blender, beginning with as little oil as necessary to puree

- gradually incorporate remaining oil

- strain through cloth, allow sediment to settle and decant