Fast Fix Friday: Roasted Garlic

Last night, whist preparing a Roasted Garlic Chicken, I discovered a time-saving trick to get dinner on the table faster that blew my mind and saved me at least 40 minutes!!  So I thought I would share:

Did you know that instead of taking the time to roast a head or two of garlic in the oven, you can "roast" it in the microwave?  Depending on the wattage of your microwave, you can do it in less than 5 minutes!! 



Here's how: 

• Take the entire head of garlic (not individual cloves) and cut off the top (at least 1/4 inch). 
• Place in the bottom of a microwave safe bowl (I used a glass bowl with a microwavable lid).
• Pour about a tablespoon of good quality olive oil over the garlic heads.
• Cover and microwave for 3-5 minutes or until soft.
• Let stand for a few minutes to cool and sqeeze out the garlic, discarding the paper.

There are so many great uses for roasted garlic.  I used it to make a garlic butter to put under the skin of the chicken I roasted; but you can use it to make garlic mashed potatoes, garlic hummus, or even garlic infused rice cereal for your baby.  

A Fresh Start

So, it has been ridiculously long since I last posted.  It seems pregnancy can make wanting to cook and then write about it something that I just didn't have the energy for.  And then a new baby and breastfeeding really has a way of sapping that desire altogether.  Thus, I am making an effort to start things fresh this month.  This blog may switch gears just a little bit and focus a little bit more on EASY cooking with some tadah things every once in a while.  It is just the place our life is right now.  So bear with me as we adjust to life in the kitchen with a new baby.  Oh, and for your viewing pleasure, here she is:

So stick with us as we figure out how to get food on the table on a somewhat regular basis.  This week, I am hoping to work on lunches and dinners:

Lunch plans: egg salad sandwiches, pimento cheese sandwiches, freezer burritos
Dinner plans: burgers, roast chicken with brown rice and squash
Snack plan: homemade roasted red pepper hummus
(This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday over at Organizing Junkie)
As you can see this is not a full menu plan, but it is a realistic goal for the week considering our schedule.  Here's hoping...