ROASTED GARLIC AND GARLIC BREAD

This is a delight for serious snackers. Roasting brings out garlic’s milder side. Start with a large, firm head of garlic. Place it into a small baking dish. Bake in a toaster oven or a regular oven at 375 degrees until the cloves feel soft when pressed lightly, about 25 minutes.

Then, just pick off a clove and pop it in your mouth. Or use it as a spread for bread. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

To make garlic bread, use a fork to mash peeled cloves of roasted garlic into a paste. Spread with a knife onto slices of French bread. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning if desired. Wrap tightly in foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.