How to Roast Garlic

Transform a piquant herb into a creamy, sweet paste by oven-roasting garlic with the help of these tips.

Step 1: Pick the garlic Buy whole garlic bulbs from your local grocer or specialty market. Choose fresh, white bulbs and avoid those with mold or mildew.
TIP: Don't use garlic with a green sprout growing from the center of the cloves.
Step 2: Prepare the garlic Remove the loose, papery skin, but leave the rest intact. Cut a half-inch from the pointed head, exposing the individual cloves.
Step 3: Drizzle with oil Drizzle the cloves with olive oil, ensuring that each one is sufficiently coated. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Roast the heads Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Wrap each bulb in aluminum foil and bake for about 45 minutes or until the cloves are soft and golden brown.
TIP: Use a clay garlic roaster if you have one.
Step 5: Remove the softened garlic Let the garlic cool, and then use a small knife to loosen the skin around each clove. Remove a clove, and squeeze it to remove the softened garlic.
Step 6: Eat the garlic Spread the roasted garlic paste directly onto hearty French bread or mix it into your favorite spread or pasta. Delicious!
FACT: Regular consumption of garlic may lower blood pressure.