Roasted cloves from four heads of garlic will yield half a cup of garlic paste.
Once you’ve roasted a few heads of garlic, smash the softened cloves into a paste using a mortar and pestle, and then whisk the paste into a white balsamic vinaigrette. (One head of roasted garlic will yield a tablespoon or more of garlic paste.) Drizzle this luscious dressing over grilled salmon, cold roasted lamb or a salad of boiled new potatoes, and you have catapulted the mundane into the sublime.
Although I usually think of earthy-tasting Le Puy lentils, grown in the volcanic soil of the Auvergne in France, as a perfect fall or winter dish, these tiny, dark green legumes are delicious in summer when served at room temperature with a roasted garlic vinaigrette brightened with fresh basil and mint. You can use the same vinaigrette in cold weather: Just omit the herbs and add thick, smoky bacon to the mix.
Serves 4 as a side dish:
Ingredients for the vinaigrette:
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons roasted garlic paste
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
Ingredients for the lentils:
1 cup Le Puy or French green lentils (see note)
1-1/2 tablespoons fresh spicy globe basil (or other basil), finely chopped
1-1/2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
Method for the vinaigrette:
In a bowl, combine the vinegar, salt and pepper. Whisk in the roasted garlic paste and set aside for 10 to 15 minutes. Whisk in the olive oil.
Method for the lentils:
1. Rinse the lentils in cold running water. In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils with 3 cups of water and bring them to boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the lentils are just tender. Do not let them get mushy. Drain and set aside to cool
2. Put the lentils in a mixing bowl. Spoon in about half the vinaigrette and mix well. Allow the flavors to mingle for 10 minutes, then taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking—add more salt, pepper or vinaigrette, as you please. Just before serving, stir in the chopped basil and mint.
Note: Authentic Le Puy lentils, grown in the Auvergne region of France, are available at some gourmet food shops. More commonly you will find French green lentils which are small and tasty, but lack the robust, almost peppery flavor of the real thing. On the web, order Sabarot Le Puy Green Lentils from www.amazon.com.