Roasted Garlic Best Casual Appetizer Food

OVEN ROASTED GARLIC APPETIZER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375F.
• PREPARE GARLIC FOR ROASTING: Place peeled garlic cloves on a double layer of tin foil. Drizzle oil over cloves to coat - about 2 tablespoons. Add pinch of salt and sugar if desired (I do), Lift edges of tin foil upward to enclose garlic. Scrunch top if tin foil together to seal garlic pouch. Lay it on a pan in case of leaking.
• ROAST GARLIC: Place pouch on pan in oven. Roast for 40-55 minutes, depending on size of garlic cloves. Garlic is ready when it's soft, golden and slightly caramelized.
• MAKE APPETIZER AND SERVE: Heat Focaccia (or other bread) in 350F pre-heated oven for 5-6 minutes or until warmed through and slightly crisped up. Transfer to cutting board and cut into bite size pieces (2-3 inches). Drizzle with garlic cloves along with the garlic-infused oil. Top with chopped parsley if desired. Serve with a butter knife if guests want to spread garlic on bread.

ROASTED GARLIC AND BAKED GOAT CHEESE APPETIZER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°. Cut the top off the garlic heads so that the cloves are exposed. Place the heads in a small baking dish.
• Drizzle 3 tablespoons of the oil over the tops, allowing it to sink in around the garlic papers. Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Bake for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, prepare the goat cheese for baking. In another small baking dish, place the log of goat cheese. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of oil over the cheese, rolling the log to coat.
• In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, tarragon, and a little more freshly cracked pepper. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over all sides of the log, turning as necessary.
• Bake cheese, uncovered for 30 minutes alongside the garlic.
• The garlic cloves will practically pop out of their skins. Spread them on baguette slices along with some goat cheese.

TORTELLINI WITH ROASTED GARLIC SAUCE (APPETIZER)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Cut 1/2-inch off top of garlic and remove papery outer skin, leaving cloves intact. Wrap garlic in foil and bake 1 hour, or until tender when pierced with a sharp knife. Let stand until cool enough to handle.
• Cook tortellini according to package directions (do NOT overcook, best to undercook a bit). Rinse under cold water, drain well on paper towels. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat(medium-high worked better for me). Add tortellini in batches to oil, cook and stir 3-5 minutes or until lightly golden. Add more oil if necessary. Drain on paper towels.
• Separate cooled garlic into cloves; pinch each clove so roasted flesh comes out and place in blender or food processor. Add mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan cheese and hot sauce. Cover and process until pureed and very smooth. Spoon into small saucepan; cook and stir over low heat until hot and bubbly. Transfer to small serving bowl.
• To serve, arrange tortellini on serving platter. Dip into Roasted Garlic Sauce.