Step 1

Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).For Foil-Roasted Garlic: Set wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet, and cut a 12- by 8-inch piece of aluminum foil. Place garlic heads in center of aluminum foil, cut side up, drizzle with 1 tablespoon (15ml) oil, and season assertively with salt and pepper. Bring opposite ends of foil together and crimp tightly at top to form a compact, sealed packet. Place foil packet on prepared baking sheet and transfer to oven.For Oil-Roasted Garlic: Add 1 cup (240ml) oil to a small ovenproof saucepan (you can use all olive oil, all vegetable oil, or a blend of both). Place garlic heads, cut side down, in oil; cover and transfer to oven.

Step 2

For Foil-Roasted Garlic: Roast until garlic cloves are lightly golden and tender enough to be easily pierced with a cake tester or paring knife (be careful when opening foil packet to test doneness), about 45 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven and set aside, with packet open to allow steam to escape, until garlic heads are cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes. Squeeze cloves out of their skins, moving from root end toward cut end; discard skins. Roasted garlic cloves can be used right away, or refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.For Oil-Roasted Garlic: Cook until cut side of garlic is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Turn garlic heads cut side up, cover, and continue to cook until cloves are tender and can be easily pierced with a cake tester or paring knife, 20 to 25 minutes longer. Transfer saucepan to a heatproof surface and set aside to cool, uncovered, until garlic heads are cool enough to handle, 5 to 10 minutes. Squeeze cloves out of their skins, moving from root end toward cut end; discard skins. If there are pieces of papery skin left in the oil, strain through a fine-mesh strainer, using cheesecloth if necessary to remove any sediment. Roasted garlic cloves and roasted garlic oil can be used right away, or refrigerated in airtight containers for up to 1 week.