Simple Roasted Garlic

I love garlic.  Anyone that knows me knows I put onions and garlic in almost everything.  Garlic is a plant which is so flavorful and aromatic and it gives food that extra kick I think, plus it's so beneficial for your health.  It can be eaten raw, cooked, ground into a powder or roasted as in todays recipe for SIMPLE ROASTED GARLIC.   It can be minced and added to dishes or if you don't want to bite down on bits of garlic, you can grate it on a hand grater which turns it into a paste.  Some dishes you can even just throw in the whole clove or crush it to release the flavors more and then add to your recipes.  If you or someone in your family isn't a huge fan of garlic, you can roast it and it gives it a milder taste that may be better.  I will be posting a recipe soon for HOT & SWEET CHICKEN WITH ROASTED GARLIC MASHED POTATOES that you can use your roasted garlic in and it is so delicious.  Roasted garlic can be added to just about anything like soups, sauces, casseroles, meatloaves, meatballs, or used in sandwiches.  I love how easy roasting garlic is as well.  It takes under five minutes to prepare and then it just gets tossed into the oven and you can walk away and do other things.

Apart from being delicious, the health benefits of garlic are amazing.  Garlic has been used for centuries to aid in many health problems.  The key medicinal ingredient in garlic is allicin, which is known to have fantastic anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-oxidant properties. Because of this it boosts your immune system and helps relieve colds, but it also helps reduce your chances of heart disease and cancer.  It lowers blood pressure, sugar levels and high cholesterol and is a good digestive aid.  It is good at preventing blood clots, however, if you have blood clotting issues please speak with your doctor first before taking any form of garlic.  There are even garlic supplements in capsule or tablet form that can be taken to help boost your immune system.  Experts say there are hundreds of ways garlic can help a person.  It truly is a superfood in my opinion.  Give it a try and find a way that you like it best.  Your body will thank you.  Keep checking back often for more fantastic Sinfully Healthy Foods recipes.  

 

SIMPLE ROASTED GARLIC

TOTAL TIME:  50 MINS

1 head garlic (or your choice of how many)

EVOO, drizzle

Salt and Pepper, good pinch each

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the number of heads of garlic you want to roast on a cutting board.  Cut off just the top end revealing all the cloves.  Place cut side up on medium sized piece of foil.  Drizzle with EVOO all over and sprinkle with S + P.  Wrap foil up and seal edges like a pouch leaving room for steam.  Place on baking sheet, in a dish or directly on oven rack and roast in preheated oven for 45 mins.  Remove, let cool and squeeze out roasted garlic.  Yum!  ENJOY!