Garlic
What comes to your mind when you think of some vegetable or bulb that is aromatic (or pungent to some)? To me, it is non other than garlic. I love it’s aroma and the the flavor it releases when cooked with other ingredients or by itself. It is usually used as seasoning or condiment than as a main ingredient. It also has medicinal properties and known to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and such. There is a restaurant in San Francisco called The Stinking Rose. You might wonder what’s that all about. The name is such because anything and everything is made of garlic in this restaurant including their ice-cream. Wow. Sounds weird? But the tastes great. People say that once you eat at this place and come out you are bound to smell like garlic for the next few days. Now, that I am not sure. But, I won’t insist that you eat that much garlicky food in a day but in small amounts such as a spread.
Recipe:
2 medium size garlic bulbs
1/2 tbsp olive oil
Salt to taste
Pepper – freshly ground
1 tsp red chili flakes or per taste
1 tsp dried basil leaves
Cut the top of bulb a little bit. Rub the garlic well with oil.
Place it in an aluminum foil, slightly loosely seal it. Place it on a pan inside the over and bake it for about 35 -40 minutes at 375F degrees or until soft. Remove from heat, open the foil. Let it cool down a bit. See below for garlic top cut off before roasting and garlic after roasting.
Now squeeze the bulb from one end so that the garlic comes out in the form of paste. If it does not, it means it has not softened yet and you need to bake it longer. Mash the garlic, add salt, pepper, chili flakes, basil and mix well. Use it as a spread on a bread or toss it with pasta. YUM.
Spicy herb garlic spread with some bread ~ Mathy’s JFI – Garlic
© 365 Days of Pure Vegetarian 
That was a very different idea of using the garlic
looks yumm..
Interesting idea for a spread…..nice pics, too.
I can almost smell it. Garlicky goodness! Love it!
Lovely entry , I love anything with Garlic.
If I am not wrong I think this is my first time visit to your blog ,and I just saw pic of suji halwa you made and read that post too , Which is too similar to what I made and posted on valentine’s day , even the presentation and shape ios also same.Really , such a co-incident !!!
Wow! thats awesome.. i love anything which contain garlic.. i can smell the aroma now 🙂
Ooh, Priya! Garlic’s my favorite herb, and I love the idea of a chutney made with roasted garlic. Absolutely gorgeous.
Wow, it looks so delicious. I can smell the aroma of the roasted garlic here.
Looks interesting. Can we use gas instead of oven for softening the Garlic?
Looks interesting.Can we use gas instead of oven for softening the Garlic?
Thanks so much to everyone who has taken time to visit my blog and for your thoughtful comments. Sharadha, to your answer question, I doubt if I can roast garlic without an over or at least a toaster oven (http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=289933). With a microwave, you’re steaming the garlic not roasting. So, microwave is not possible. I hope this helps.
Thanks,
–Priya
Yummmmmyyyy! I made it and added a pinch of turmeric powder too. Was just perfect. I needed to know about the bread slices you have placed in the final picture besides the spread. How come their sides have that pattern? Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cheers.
Hi Ophiuchus,
The bread that I used in the picture is a sourdough baguette that I cut into slices. But this baguette is from the famous baking company called Boudin bakery headquartered in San Francisco.
I hope this helps.
–Priya
I’ve actually made this! and just added extra virgin olive oil, italian herbs and red chilli pepper and we eat it just as a side w/ the pasta and it tastes wonderful! my husband is a garlic lover! :).. i’ll have to try it as a spread. .