Roasted Garlic Recipe
Garlic has been used in cooking for thousands of years, originating from Central Asia. While its exact history is somewhat elusive, ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans prized garlic for both its flavor and medicinal properties.
Equipment
- Baking sheet or small baking dish
- Aluminum foil
- Sharp knife
- Oven mitts
Ingredients
- 1-2 whole garlic bulbs
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt (optional)
- Black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roasting garlic at a high temperature helps caramelize the sugars in the garlic, giving it that sweet, mellow flavor.
- Peel away the outer layers of the garlic bulb skin, leaving the individual cloves still attached. Do not separate the cloves.
- With a sharp knife, carefully slice off the top quarter inch of each bulb, exposing the tops of the individual cloves.
- Place the garlic bulb on a piece of aluminum foil, cut side up.
- Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil evenly over the exposed cloves. The olive oil will help with caramelization and enhance the garlic's flavor.
- Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper on the garlic for extra seasoning.
- Wrap the garlic bulb tightly in the aluminum foil, ensuring it is fully sealed.
- Place the wrapped garlic bulb on a baking sheet or directly on the oven rack. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the garlic cloves are soft, golden brown, and fragrant. The cloves should easily squeeze out of their skins once fully roasted.
- Once done, remove the garlic from the oven and carefully unwrap the foil (be cautious, as it will be hot).
- Let the garlic cool for a few minutes before handling. To remove the roasted garlic, gently squeeze the bottom of the cloves, and the soft, caramelized garlic will pop out.