Garlic is such an integral part of our cooking it is hard to imagine how we would do without it. But the most useful and delightful way to use it is to simply roast it. You can do a few heads at a time in your toaster oven or a whole sheet pan full in your regular oven.

Heat your oven to 400 degrees. Remove excess paper from the outside of each bulb but keep all the cloves together. Carefully slice the top of the bulb, exposing the cloves. Drizzle the cut top with olive oil. Wrap several bulbs in aluminum foil and roast for at least 40 minutes. Check to be sure it is fully softened but not burnt. If necessary, give it another 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let sit at least ten minutes. When cool enough to handle carefully squeeze the goodies from the bulb. You can spread this like butter, add to your favorite dish or simply spread it on all that sourdough bread you are constantly baking while on lockdown. It will keep up to two weeks in the refrigerator, but you’ll likely wolf it down well before that!

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