The comments on our giveaway post indicate that roasting garlic is on y’alls favorite ways ingested a delicious clove or two. I’m not surprised our readers have excellent taste, roasted garlic just so happens to be one of my faves too. The process of roasting turns powerful raw garlic into a golden paste with a mellow, sweet, amazing garlic flavor.
Roasting garlic is pretty easy, but in case you’ve neve done it before, I’ll give you the low-down.
Start with a whole head or two of garlic and rub off any loose papery skin, making sure that the whole head is still intact. Then, using a sharp knife, cut the bottom 1/4-1/2 inch of each clove off exposing the raw garlic. This will make it easier to squeeze your raw garlic out after it’s been roasted.
Now, if you happen to have a terracotta garlic roaster like the one pictured above, this is its moment to shine. The benefits of a terracotta roaster are that they distribute the heat evenly during the cooking process. I’ve also been told that it can be used in the microwave for speedy roasting. Mostly, I just have one because it’s kind of pretty and it used to belong to my Mom. If you really want one, you can pick one up for $10 on amazon.
So, if you have a roaster, put your garlic in that baby, drizzle it with a little oil, and put the lid on. If you don’t have a roaster, no problem! Get out some tinfoil, put your garlic on that, drizzle it with oil, and wrap it up. Put your garlic in the oven at 400°F for 30-35 minutes, or until the cloves feel soft when you poke them with a fork. During this time, your kitchen should fill up with a heavenly aroma.
When the garlic is done, let it cool until safe to touch, and then you can squeeze out the goodness from each clove. Roasted garlic is great in recipes like Gill’s quinoa salad, and it is also a treat on its own. Sometimes I like to put a whole head of roasted garlic out on the table and serve it with bread or crackers. Other times, I just squeeze the cloves directly into my mouth. However you choose to serve it, roasted garlic is always a hit!
Don’t forget to enter our garlic grater giveaway! Entries close tonight at midnight Pacific time!
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Love roasted garlic!! I find elephant garlic does the best, just drizzle the whole thing with olive oil and wrap it up…but I love that roaster, might have to get one.
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