Winter calls for cozy, comforting dishes, and nothing elevates a meal quite like garlic confit. Slow-cooked in oil until soft, buttery, and fragrant, garlic confit adds a depth of flavor that transforms even the simplest dishes into something extraordinary. Whether spread on toast, stirred into soups, or blended into sauces, this golden treasure is a must-have for cold-weather cooking.
What is Garlic Confit?
Garlic confit is a French cooking technique that involves gently simmering garlic cloves in oil at a low temperature. The result is melt-in-your-mouth garlic with a rich, mellow sweetness and none of the harsh bite that raw garlic sometimes carries. The infused oil is equally valuable, making it a two-for-one flavor boost in the kitchen.
How to Make Garlic Confit
Making garlic confit at home is incredibly easy and requires just a few ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 3 heads of garlic, cloves peeled
- 250 ml olive oil (or neutral oil like sunflower or avocado oil)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (optional)
- ½ teaspoon black peppercorns (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 100°C.
- Place the peeled garlic cloves in a small ovenproof dish or saucepan.
- Pour the oil over the garlic, ensuring all cloves are submerged.
- Add salt, thyme, and peppercorns, if using.
- Bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the garlic is soft and golden.
- Let cool completely, then transfer to a clean jar and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Ways to Use Garlic Confit
Once you have a jar of garlic confit, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few ways to use it:
- Spread on bread: Mash a clove onto warm toast for an instant flavor upgrade.
- Enhance soups: Stir a spoonful into winter soups for extra depth.
- Upgrade mashed potatoes: Mix a few cloves into your mash for a luxurious twist.
- Make a quick pasta sauce: Blend with a little oil and fresh herbs for a silky sauce.
- Drizzle over roasted vegetables: Use the infused oil for a final touch on roasted root vegetables.
This winter, let garlic confit be your secret ingredient to making every dish glow with warmth and flavor. Simple yet luxurious, it’s a kitchen essential that you’ll reach for time and time again.
