Creamy Roasted Garlic Spread with 3 Serving Suggestions

No better time of year to post a garlic recipe then the present. We are well into flu and cold season and researchers are report that the antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties that are found in garlic all can be beneficial in preventing and treating colds. So I thought I share one recipe with three serving options to help us creatively get more garlic into our daily diet!

Creamy Roasted Garlic Spread

Ingredients

5 whole heads of garlic

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 large sheet heavy duty aluminum foil

Step-by-Step

1 place garlic heads in center of aluminum foil sheet; drizzle heads with 3 tablespoons olive oil; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper

2 fold ends together tightly creating a aluminum foil Pouch

3 place pouch in center rack of preheated 425° oven; bake 30 minutes

4 carefully open aluminum foil pouch allowing steam to escape; Peel back outer skins of garlic head; gently press and squeeze each clove to release tender roasted garlic flesh

5 place roasted garlic in bowl of mini food processor fitted with metal blade; add olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper, cheese, parsley, and butter; process until smooth; use immediately or transfer to an airtight container

Note~ will keep five days refrigerated in airtight container

Three Serving Options

#1 Serve as a dip with crusty bread, or sesame bread sticks

#2 Use as a spread  to make Garlic Bread: place 1 tablespoon onto a slice of bread; place under broiler one minute until bubbly; serve warm

#3  Add it to mashed potatoes to create heavenly roasted garlic infused mashed potatoes:  whip 1/4 cup into mashed potatoes just before serving