• Crush 3 teaspoons of alkanet root with a mortar and pestle.
• Place the alkanet and 5 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a heat-proof jug.
• Sit the jug in a pan of water and bring to a simmer. 
• Infuse the alkanet for around 40 minutes
• Leave to cool completely then strain through a sieve into a clean jug.
• Transfer the oil to a clean, sealable glass bottle and add a label.

Use less alkanet/more oil for a paler shade.

Infuse in vegetable oil for a redish-brown natural colourant.

Combine Paprika and Turmeric to make a nice orange colour. Infuse 4 teaspoons of Paprika and 2 teaspoons of Turmeric in 9 tablespoons of vegetable oil.