Roasted Garlic Recipe: The guide to roasting garlic perfectly (2024)

Garlic has the unique ability to add great taste and flavour to any dish. Along with playing the role of increasing the flavour profile of a dish, garlic also comes with numerous health benefits. It is widely used for several conditions linked to the blood system and heart, including atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high cholesterol, heart attack, coronary heart disease, and hypertension.

Though raw garlic adds a savoury, pungent bite to every dish it is used in, some people don’t find the strong smell very appealing. In this case, people turn to roasting the garlic, which brings out its unique flavour while softening its rough edges. Roasting garlic concentrates the sugars and transforms it into a caramelized, spreadable, buttery texture, with sweet, deep complex flavours, removing all the sharpness, pungency and bite. Also, it is easier to digest for many people.

If you want to be a pro at roasting garlic, all you need is some garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Here is a quick guide for the task.

• Preheat your oven to 400 F or 200 C.
• Slice the top off your whole garlic, exposing the tops of the cloves. Remove any loose papery layers on the outside of the garlic without peeling it all the way.
• Place your garlic with the cut side up on a baking sheet, or if you are roasting multiple heads of garlic, in a muffin tin.
• Drizzle the top of the garlic with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
• Cover with aluminium foil and roast for 25 minutes or until the cloves are fragrant and have softened through.

After you are done with the task of roasting garlic, you can consume it in a variety of ways. It can also be added to many recipes as it gives them a very nice flavour. If you want a few suggestions on how to use it, here are some.

Spread it warm, right out of the oven on a toasty baguette or even simple bread for a quick appetizer or snack.

Add to hummus or dips.

Add to mashed potatoes, fried potatoes or roasted potatoes.

Add to soups and stews- particularly nice with pureed cauliflower and mushroom.

Add to whipped butter, goat cheese or feta.

Garlic has a plethora of health benefits. Be it in any form—roasted or raw—it helps the body to stay healthy. Some health benefits of roasted garlic are as follows:

• Helps in regulating cholesterol, cleaning the arteries and protecting against heart problems.
• For those suffering from high blood pressure, roasted garlic helps in lowering and improving it.
• It improves the body’s immune system and avoids heavy metals from entering the body.
• Strengthens bones and joints and prevents fatigue. Furthermore, it extends the life of the cells.
• Improves the body’s athletic abilities.