Tomato Oil

Ingredients -

1 cup Olive oil 
1/2 cup Celery 
1/2 cup Onion 
3 pieces Garlic cloves peeled, minced 
1 cup Basil stems 
1 cup Oregano stems 
2 pieces Bay leaves
1 cup Tomato paste
 

Procedure -

Heat half of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery and sweat (cook without color) add the garlic, basil, oregano, and bay leaves and sweat for a few minutes more until vegetables are tender.
Add the tomato puree, lower the heat and let cook, stirring constantly for 15 minutes.
Add the remaining olive oil and leave on low heat for flavors to infuse, about 30 minutes.
Remove from heat and set aside for at least 30 minutes to let the oil rise to the top.
Strain the tomato flavored oil, separating it from the solids. Discard the solids.