Recipe: Baked Whole Garlic with French Bread

BAKED WHOLE GARLIC WITH FRENCH BREAD

4 bulbs/heads garlic, left whole
2 tablespoons olive oil (or 2 tablespoons clarified butter)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 French bread loaf, sliced and heated
OPTIONAL, FOR SERVING:
6 ounces cream cheese or soft cheese
OR 1/2 cup butter, softened

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Trim the tops of the garlic heads, leaving them whole but removing about 1/4 inch. Remove excess dry skins. Rub the heads with a little of the oil or butter and put in a very small baking dish or crock the size of the four heads. Drizzle with the rest of the oil or butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Cover loosely, place in oven and reduce oven heat to 275 degrees. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove cover and bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Slice and heat the French bread (optional) in the last 10 minutes of the baking garlic.

TO SERVE:
Spread French bread with soft creamy cheese (optional) or butter and squeeze clove by clove onto the bread and spread it

Makes 4 servings
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