Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Garlic Recipes

Warning: These recipes are not recommended if you are overly sensitive to smell, have an intolerant lover, or if you've ever thought, even once, that you might be a vampire. Roasting garlic brings out it's natural sweetness and makes it soft and smooth. If you're new to garlic or have been put off in the past, try it roasted. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised.


Roasted Garlic
4 heads of garlic (serves four) and olive oil or cooking sherry

Preheat oven to 300?F. Expose the clove by cutting the upper tips off each one. Place the garlic, cut side up, in a baker or wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Drizzle garlic with olive oil or, for a leaner treat, the cooking sherry. Bake for 2 hours or until garlic cloves are soft. Uncover the garlic and serve immediately. We like to squeeze the cloves directly on to toasted, Italian style bread, but there are many other options for serving.


Roasted Garlic Soup
2-4 bulbs of garlic
8 cups chicken broth
1 large sweet onion, minced
1 stalk celery, minced
1 large potato, cubed
1/4 cup dry sherry
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350?. Remove the superfluous skin from the garlic bulbs and cut the base of each in order for the bulbs to rest on a flat surface. Place heads in a baking dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Roast for an hour or until bulbs are soft. Remove skin and puree in food processor. In large saucepan, place garlic puree, onion, celery, potato and bring to a boil. Cook until vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Puree vegetables. Return to pan, and bring to a boil. Add sherry, salt and pepper (serves six).

Garlic Butter
1 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon minced garlic, or more if you prefer
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground paprika

Combine softened butter, minced garlic and parmesan cheese. Season with garlic salt, Italian seasoning, pepper and paprika. Mix until smooth. For a milder and sweeter garlic flavor, roast a head of garlic and finish the recipe as above.

.

No comments: