Golden Garlic Clouds Recipes

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.

LOBSTER CROUTONS WITH GOLDEN GARLIC, CHILES AND SOURDOUGH

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare an ice water bath. Cook the lobsters until done, about 4 minutes, and then shock them in the ice water bath. Remove the lobster meat from the shell and roughly chop. Reserve on ice until needed. Combine the garlic, oil, chiles, 3 teaspoons salt and 3 teaspoons pepper in a small pot and cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until the garlic is golden brown. Squeeze in the lemon juice and remove the pot from the heat. Stir well and keep warm until needed.
• Cut the sourdough into 1/2-inch-thick slices, and then cut into 3 1/2-inch-long by 1 1/2-inch-wide rectangles. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the bread. Toast the bread until golden brown on both sides. Transfer the bread into a bowl and top with the chopped lobster. Drizzle with the garlic-chile oil, sprinkle with salt and top with chopped parsley and fresh lemon juice.
• Serve immediately while the croutons are still warm.

HEARTY GARLIC GREENS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop hearty greens into water and blanch for 4 minutes. Immediately plunge blanched greens into a bowl of ice-cold water to stop the cooking. Drain, squeeze dry, and set aside.
• Heat oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook until the garlic is golden around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove garlic from skillet; set aside.
• Raise heat to high. Add hearty greens and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add spinach; season with salt and red pepper flakes to taste. Cook until spinach wilts, stirring frequently (about a minute). Return garlic to pan and stir. The greens can be served immediately or at room temperature.