Roasted Garlic

1 head of garlic

about 2 tablespoons olive oil

about 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt

about 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Place a baking sheet in the oven as the oven preheats.

If your garlic head is covered in several layers of white skin, peal off a few layers. Keep several layers around to hold the head together. With a sharp knife, cut the top off the head of garlic exposing a bit of each each clove of garlic.

Place garlic head in a piece of foil or parchment paper. Drizzle olive oil on top. Top with a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper. Seal the foil around the garlic or parchment paper. If using parchment paper, use a kitchen string to seal the little package.

Place on the pan in the oven and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, or until completely tender when poked with a fork or knife.

Allow to cool slightly before spreading on toast or adding to pasta. It’s delicious.

Grilled Chicken Cordon Blue

This was so light and refreshing. The ingredients are a bit pricy, but totally worth it!

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
Olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound brie, thinly sliced
2 lemons, halved
8 paper thin slices prosciutto
1/4 pound baby arugula

Heat the grill to high.
Brush the chicken on both sides with oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill until slightly charred on both sides and just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Put a few slices of cheese on each breast, close the cover and let it melt slightly, about 40 seconds. Brush the cut side of lemons with oil and grill, cut side down until golden brown and slightly charred, about 45 seconds.
Put the chicken on large serving plates, top each breast with 2 slices of prosciutto and some arugula. Squeeze the grilled lemon on top and drizzle with olive oil