How to Prepare Roasted Garlic

Roasted Garlic is so easy to make right in the confines of your own kitchen and tastes so amazing in stuffed pasta dishes, smashed potatoes, garlic bread and spread over homemade pizza dough.  The possibilities are endlessly delicious!

Choosing garlic bulbs for roasting

Roasted garlic adds depth and flavor to so many dishes.  It is super easy to prepare and can easily be frozen.  When choosing garlic it is best to pick from the bin.  Look for good solid bulbs that are free from blemishes, soft spots and new growth shoots. The bulb should  feel plump and slightly weighty for its size indicting a good fresh crop.

Preparing the Garlic Bulbs for roasting

Pull away any excess layers of paper like skin and discard them. This could be anywhere from a couple of layers to five or more.  Using a sharp knife cut off the tips on the non-root end. Arrange your cut bulbs in a muffin tin cut side up and drizzle with olive oil.  Likewise you could use a basting brush to coat the tops with olive oil.  If you only want to cook one bulb of garlic simply wrap it up tightly in aluminum foil and pop it in the oven.  Cook at the same temp and the same time as the garlic cooked in a muffin pan.

How long do you roast garlic?

Roast the garlic at 400 degrees for about 35-40 minutes. The larger the bulb the greater the cooking time. It is done when it is golden brown and soft when poked with a fork. It smells very aromatic and needs to cool before handling.

How do you store Roasted Garlic?

To remove the garlic from the bulb simply pinch from the stem end and it will pop out the cut on the top.  You can store up to 4 days in an airtight container in the  refrigerator.  To freeze arrange in a single layer on a  parchment covered baking sheet.  Make sure they are not touching and place in the freezer until frozen.  This technique is know as flash freezing.  Once frozen you can store in zipper freezer bags and use within 3-4 months.

10 Ways to Savor Roasted Garlic

1. Mix with ricotta cheese and enjoy in any stuffed pasta.
2. Combine with mayonnaise and enjoy on your favorite sandwich.
3. Spread on a buttered toasted baguette.
4. Smash and rub on grilled or baked corn on the cob.
5. Mix with ground beef or or turkey for an amazing grilled burger.
6. Blend with your favorite smashed or mashed potato recipe.
7. Use it in hummus, dips and guacamole for added flavor.
8. Combine with pizza sauce and spread over homemade pizza dough.
9. Add mashed cloves to your favorite creamy soup recipes.
10. Rub onto raw chicken or steak before grilling or baking.

Recipes using Roasted Garlic

• Roasted Garlic Three Cheese Manicotti
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Chives
• Roasted Garlic Guacamole
• Greek Salad with Roasted Garlic Salad Dressing

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