Chef notes
Garlic is a kitchen staple that does more than add flavor to dishes. It helps manage blood pressure, thanks to its high content of allicin, an active compound that protects against a condition that affects the lining of the blood vessels and can lead to hypertension, among other diseases. Fresh garlic cloves (chopped or minced), as well as garlic powder, both offer benefits. And this is one delicious way to enjoy everyone's favorite aromatic. I nixed the unnecessary extras (aka butter, white bread and cheese), and played up the breathtaking bulb.
Ingredients
- 1 head garlic
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 4 slices whole-grain baguette
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Preparation
1.Preheat oven to 400°F.
2.Trim the top off the head of garlic to expose the tops of the cloves. Drizzle olive oil over them, sprinkle on a pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Wrap the whole thing in aluminum foil. Roast the garlic in the oven for about 30 minutes, until the garlic is soft.
3.Remove the garlic from oven and gently squeeze the cloves from the skin. They should be very soft (if not, leave them in the oven longer). Spread about 3 cloves on each slice of toasted baguette.
