Garlic & Herb Crostini Spread (Print Version)

Creamy whipped butter blended with roasted garlic and fresh herbs for spreading on warm bread

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

→ Aromatics

02 - 1 whole garlic bulb
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Fresh Herbs

04 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
05 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
06 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil or tarragon

→ Seasonings

07 - ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
08 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice the top off the garlic bulb to expose the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes until soft and golden. Allow to cool slightly before handling.
02 - Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins into a mixing bowl. Mash thoroughly into a smooth paste using the back of a spoon.
03 - Add the softened butter to the bowl with the garlic paste. Whip using a hand mixer or wooden spoon until the mixture becomes light and fluffy in texture.
04 - Stir in the chopped parsley, chives, and basil. Add the sea salt and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the spread.
05 - Taste the mixture and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Transfer the spread to a serving bowl or ramekin for presentation.
06 - Present the spread with toasted crostini or warm baguette slices for serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The roasted garlic loses all its bite and becomes sweet, creamy, and impossibly smooth when whipped into butter.
  • You can make the entire spread in about 15 minutes of hands-on time if you roast the garlic ahead, making it perfect for last-minute entertaining.
  • It transforms the humble crostini into something elegant enough for a dinner party yet casual enough for a solo snack moment.
02 -
  • The butter must be genuinely room temperature, not cold, or it won't whip up properly and your spread will stay dense and heavy instead of becoming cloud-like.
  • Roast the garlic fully until the cloves are completely soft and golden, because undercooked garlic will stay bitter and grainy even after mashing, completely changing what this spread is meant to be.
03 -
  • If you want extra richness, add a teaspoon of finely grated Parmesan cheese after the herbs are folded in, but taste carefully because salt is already in the mix.
  • Roast your garlic the day before and store it in the fridge so you can make the spread whenever inspiration strikes without waiting for the oven.
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