Caramelized garlic is a versatile and delicious addition to countless dishes. Its sweet, mellow flavor enhances the taste of sauces, spreads, and roasted vegetables, to name a few. There’s something magical about transforming the humble garlic into a soft, golden-brown, and aromatic ingredient. Here are three different ways you can caramelize garlic at home:

1. Oven Roasting Method:

For this method, you will need:

– A head of garlic

– Olive oil

– Salt

Instructions:

a. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

b. Cut off about 1/4 inch from the top of the garlic head, exposing the cloves.

c. Drizzle olive oil onto the exposed cloves and sprinkle some salt over them.

d. Wrap the garlic head in foil and place it in a baking dish.

e. Roast the garlic for approximately 40 minutes or until the cloves are soft and golden brown.

f. Remove from oven and let it cool before handling.

2. Stovetop Skillet Method:

For this method, you will need:

– Peeled garlic cloves

– Olive oil or butter

– Salt

Instructions:

a. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and add enough oil or butter to coat the bottom.

b. Add peeled garlic cloves to the skillet in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch each other.

c. Cook the cloves for about 10 minutes per side or until they turn golden brown while stirring occasionally.

d. Reduce heat if needed to prevent burning.

e. Once caramelized, remove from heat and season with salt.

3. Slow Cooker Method:

For this method, you will need:

– Peeled garlic cloves

– Olive oil or butter

– Salt

Instructions:

a. Add peeled garlic cloves to your slow cooker.

b. Drizzle olive oil or add butter to coat the garlic cloves evenly.

c. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until the cloves are soft and golden brown.

d. Stir occasionally during cooking to ensure even caramelization.

e. After the cooking time, season with salt to taste.

Each of these methods gives a slightly different result based on the cooking method, but all will provide you with delicious, sweet, caramelized garlic that can elevate any dish. Whether you choose roasting in the oven, stovetop skillet, or using a slow cooker, caramelizing garlic is easy and worth the effort.