Homemade annatto oil

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup annatto seeds
  (Annatto seeds are extracted from the fruits of the Brazilian annatto tree and are used to color oils, sausages, cheeses, and creams red-orange in the cuisine of the Caribbean, Brazil, Latin America, and Filipino cuisine)

Preparation:

1. In a small heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the annatto seeds and cook, stirring constantly, until the oil turns a rich orange-red color, about 5 minutes.
   
   Remove from heat and let cool. Strain the oil into a jar, discard the seeds, and store, covered, in the refrigerator.