Roasting garlic is easier than you might think, and once you’ve mastered the technique, you’ll find all sorts of delicious uses for it. Roasted garlic has less bite than raw garlic, and roasting brings out a mild, sweet flavor that complements a wide variety of dishes. Here’s how to do it:
Grab a whole head of garlic and slide off just enough of the head that the tops of the cloves are visible inside. Place it on a piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with about a tablespoon of olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Then close the aluminum foil up into a packet and throw it in the oven at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes or until the garlic is soft. Once the garlic has cooled, you should be able to squeeze the cloves out, and they’ll be soft enough to mash with your fork. That’s all there is to it.
Recipe Ideas
Here are a few easy ways to use your roasted garlic:
- Roasted Garlic SalsaIf you’re trying to figure out how to make authentic Mexican salsa, then you might want to look more toward pico de gallo salsa dips. But if you’re worried about the heat in most recipes using salsa, then roasted garlic salsa might be the way to go. Find a simple salsa picante recipe, but swap out roasted garlic for raw for a version even kids will like. Voila, you’ve got an easy homemade salsa to go in numerous recipes, as well as on its own with a side of chips.
- Roasted Garlic HummusIf you don’t want to start from scratch on this one, buy plain hummus and puree in roasted garlic with a blender or food processor. It doesn’t get much easier than that! If you really want to bring out the garlic flavor, brush some pita with garlic oil and toast it for dipping.
- Roasted Garlic PotatoesThrow a few cloves of roasted garlic in the next time you’re mashing or whipping potatoes. The added flavor will even allow you to cut down on butter and salt, making your side a little healthier.
- Roasted Garlic Goat CheeseMash your roasted garlic and stir it into a soft goat cheese, then spread on whole grain crackers for a sophisticated appetizer. If you’re trying to appeal to a wider (or younger) audience, you can use cream cheese and more buttery crackers, instead.
- Roasted Garlic Pizza SaucePuree roasted garlic with a little butter and swap it out for red sauce on your next pizza. Accent with plenty of green veggies for a fresher take on pizza night.
Which of these recipes sounds best to you? Are you more likely to try them, or pick up a jar of roasted garlic salsa from the store? Give your feedback in the comments.
