Recipe for Garlic Breath

Garlic has been working its medical miracles for ages. Everybody from the Egyptians and Israelites to the Romans and the ancient Greek, have all used garlic in food, drinks and for medicinal purposes.  

Lore claims it cures a virtual litany of ills including acne, arthritis, colds, earaches, high cholesterol, repiratory disease, toothaches, warts and worms. It's nearly anti-everything, as well: antibiotic, antifungal, antiparasitic, and anti-viral to boot. It's also a natural blood thinner and can possibly increase your white blood cell count. But for me, medicinal benefits aside, it just plain tastes good.

The recipe below if for a dish that is not for the faint of heart. Your house will smell divine and your palate will thank you. But your spouse may not. If you are going to make this dish, make enough to share so that everyone gets a good dose of garlic breath.

Ingredients:

• 2 heads of garlic
• Olive oil
• fresh coarse ground salt (optional)
• Italian parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF.   
2. Cut off the top 1/3 of the garlic heads, exposing the cloves.  
3. Place each head onto it's own piece of tin foil.  
4. Drizzle with 1 - 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  
5. Create a small tin foil tent around the garlic and place into a baking pan.
6. Cook for about 30 minutes.  
7. Uncover and cook for about an additional 30 - 45 minutes until golden brown and tender.  
8. Sprinkle lightly with salt (optional), garnish with Italian parsley, and drizzle with the leftover garlic oil from the foil packet. 
9. Serve with freshly toasted French bread or baguette.