Rosemary Roasted Garlic is a delightful culinary creation that transforms simple garlic into a fragrant and versatile condiment. This recipe combines the robust flavors of garlic, the earthy aroma of rosemary, and the richness of olive oil, resulting in a spread that can elevate various dishes from bread to pasta and beyond.
Recipe Overview:
- Name: Rosemary Roasted Garlic
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Description: A versatile roasted garlic recipe perfect for spreading on bread, mixing into mashed potatoes, tossing with pasta, or enhancing baked potatoes with a savory butter.
- Recipe Category: Sauces
- Keywords: Spreads, Vegetable, Australian, Vegan, Free Of…, Weeknight, Roast, Oven, Beginner Cook, < 4 Hours, Easy, Inexpensive
- Aggregated Rating: 5 stars (based on 5 reviews)
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 1961.6
- Fat: 140.6g
- Saturated Fat: 19.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 85.3mg
- Carbohydrates: 167.1g
- Fiber: 10.5g
- Sugars: 7.1g
- Protein: 30.9g
Ingredients:
- 4 garlic heads
- 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 40ml olive oil
- 20ml lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
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Preheat your oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 200°C (approximately 400°F).
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Prepare the garlic: Trim about 1cm from the top of each garlic bulb to expose the cloves. Discard the trimmed tops.
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Arrange in dish: Place the trimmed garlic bulbs in a small oven-proof dish. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over the garlic bulbs.
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Add rosemary and seasoning: Sprinkle the rosemary leaves over the garlic bulbs. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
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Roast the garlic: Cover the oven-proof dish with aluminum foil to ensure the garlic roasts evenly. Place the dish in the preheated oven and roast for about 55 minutes, or until the garlic cloves are very soft and tender.
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Rest and cool: Once roasted, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to stand covered for 10 minutes. This resting period helps to enhance the flavors and allows the garlic to cool slightly.
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Extract the garlic: After resting, carefully squeeze the soft roasted garlic cloves out of their skins. They should easily slide out due to the roasting process.
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Serve or store: Use the roasted garlic immediately as a spread on bread, mix it into mashed potatoes or pasta, or incorporate it into a savory butter for baked potatoes. Alternatively, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Cooking Tips:
- Garlic selection: Choose garlic heads that are firm and plump for the best flavor and texture after roasting.
- Roasting time: The exact roasting time may vary depending on your oven and the size of the garlic bulbs. Aim for very soft cloves that can be easily squeezed out.
- Flavor variations: Experiment with adding other herbs like thyme or oregano for different flavor profiles.
- Storage: Roasted garlic can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. It also freezes well; simply pack in an airtight container or freezer bag for longer storage.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve the rosemary roasted garlic spread on crusty Italian bread slices as an appetizer or snack.
- Mix it into mashed potatoes for a flavorful twist.
- Toss it with pasta, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese for a quick and delicious meal.
- Incorporate it into a compound butter for baked potatoes or grilled vegetables.
Rosemary Roasted Garlic not only enhances the taste of your dishes but also adds a gourmet touch with minimal effort. Whether you’re a beginner cook looking to experiment or a seasoned chef seeking new flavors, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire. Enjoy the aromatic richness and versatility of this roasted garlic creation!