Instructions: In a clean glass jar, combine the pepper flakes and the vodka. Let sit overnight before using. This keeps well at room temperature.

Variations
Sometimes if I dont have any garlic oil on hand, I will chop 1 to 3 cloves of garlic and saute it briefly in a tablespoon or two of olive oil. Then turn off the heat and add the diced tomatoes. Proceed as above. This variation tastes a little more cooked and entices more juice from the tomatoes. Ive also varied the herbs depending on what is fresh, but I stick to the traditional ones.

Oregano, rosemary, and Italian flat-leaf parsley are all good choices. If you have access to different types of tomatoes and heirloom varieties, you can make this dish from July through September and never have the same variation twice!

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