La Tourangelle Roasted Hazelnut Oil

I found this hazelnut oil, manufactured by La Tourangelle in the Loire Valley in France, on sale (even then it was $13, normally $18), and of course had to try it. La Tourangelle have been making roasted hazelnut oil, apparently, for 150 years, slow roasting hazelnuts, then expeller pressing the nuts, and lightly filtering the resulting golden oil. I wondered what it would smell like when I opened it, expecting the wonderful toasted hazelnut smell that wafts out from the stove as you roast hazelnuts. I was not disappointed, definitely a distinct toasted flavour, and definitely hazelnut. And the flavour of the oil, too. Wonderful, intense hazelnut flavour. Delicious. Hazelnut oil tends to be rather delicate, so you should refrigerate it after opening, and use it up within about three months. Not a problem for me. Or, rather, my problem would be to find this product again. You can use this in any hazelnut recipe you have, just add a small amount, a half to one teaspoon, to intensify the hazelnut flavour. Or use it as a bread dip. They even included a recipe for authentic French hazelnut oil vinaigrette (to which I added dried basil).

French Hazelnut Oil Vinaigrette
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
3 Tbsp roasted Hazelnut Oil
salt to taste

Whisk all ingredients together, then drizzle over salads.