How to Roast Garlic in a Few Easy Steps

Roasted garlic is one of my favorite things to add to anything: aioli, salad dressings, soups or even to a piece of bread. The process is as easy as can be; the results are delicious.

While in the oven the garlic caramelizes, taking on a sweet flavor profile and the texture almost becomes similar to a flavorful paste. My favorite way to eat it is to mash it up with some softened butter, smother it on bread and then cover it with a heavy hand of shredded cheese. I like to consider it a fancy version of one of my favorite restaurant-chain appetizers: cheesy garlic bread.

To begin, slice off about 1/4-inch from the top of the head of garlic. Drizzle it with a teaspoon or so of olive oil and top it with a dash of salt and pepper.

Wrap the garlic in a piece of parchment or foil and tie it with a piece of baking twine. Transfer it to the oven to roast for 30 to 40 minutes--it couldn't be easier. The house will be engulfed with the delicious smell of caramelized garlic. If I could have it my way, I'd have the smell of roasting garlic made into an extract so I could make a candle out of it. That's probably going a bit too far, but I am a tried and true garlic lover.