Sicilian Bread Dipping Seasoning

Bold with the sweet-tart flavor of sun-dried tomatoes, our Sicilian Bread Dipping Seasoning takes the sunny flavors of the Mediterranean and gives them an unexpected twist. This salt-free seasoning blend combines the classic pairing of tomato and garlic, and fragrant herbs like peppery marjoram and piney, resinous rosemary, with the smoky, fruity heat of chipotle pepper and the grounded warmth of brown mustard. We blend our Sicilian Bread Dipping Seasoning in-house in small batches, so we can ensure that we are sending out the freshest products available to our customers.

While we may have been inspired to create this blend by some of the flavors of Sicily, do not expect to find a similar bread dipping seasoning in Sicily or more broadly, across Italy. This is largely an American innovation that stems from the practice of tasting pressed olive oil on fresh, crusty bread, but in Italian eyes it over-uses bread at the dinner table. Bread has specific roles at the Italian table; if it comes before the meal it will be toasted and served as a bruschetta or antipasto. It is generally considered a part of the main meal, not to be eaten with the pasta course or nibbled on absent-mindedly before dinner. When finishing your main entrée, bread is used to wipe up leftover sauce on a plate, which is called fare la scarpetta, or “making the little shoe”. It’s a tradition that’s been around for hundreds of years in Italy, but should only be practiced around friends or family; at events or in restaurants, you should avoid wiping up your sauce with bread. The exception to this is if everyone you’re with starts mopping their plates. Once that happens, grab a piece of bread and dig in.

Tips From Our Kitchen

To make seasoned olive oil, mix 3 tablespoons of our salt-free Sicilian Bread Dipping Seasoning with 1/2 cup of your favorite olive oil. Let it set for about 30 minutes to allow the seasonings to fully marry with the olive oil. Or, stir into dough for a rich tomato bread. Make a tangy vinaigrette by mixing 3 tablespoons of Sicilian Bread Dipping Seasoning with 2/3 cups olive oil and 1/3 cup red wine vinegar; balsamic vinegar would clash with the bold flavors of this blend. Toss over tofu and roast. Sprinkle over hummus or baba ghanoush. Use to season turkey meatballs. Serve on flatbreads with sauteed spinach and caramelized onions.

Hand blended from garlic, tomato, paprika, chipotle, basil, mustard, oregano, bay leaves, marjoram, thyme and rosemary.

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