11. Roasted garlic and leek bread casserole
You will need:
1 large head of garlic
3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 cups water plus 2 tbsp. water
8 slices of bread with the crusts removed
4 cups of halved and thinly sliced leeks – use only the white and the light green parts
½ tsp kosher salt or sea salt
1 cup of shredded cheese
1 tbsp. freshly chopped thyme
1/4th tsp fresh ground black pepper
Water
How to:
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Add about ½ teaspoon oil and 1/4th inch of water to a baking dish. Roast the garlic until it turns tender but is still a bit firm. It should take about 30 minutes for the same. Once it is done, let it cool, and then peel off the cloves. Slice them up thinly and set aside.
Add three cups of water in a pan and bring to a boil. Put the bread in a heatproof dish and pour water over it, so that the bread is completely under water. Let the bread stand in the water for about three to five minutes. Now put the bread in a colander and gently squeeze it to drain out the water. Once you are done, the bread will still be moist but there will be no water dripping from it.
Break the bread into small pieces and place it in a bowl.
Heat a tablespoon oil in a pan over medium heat till it starts to simmer. Now add the leeks, two tablespoons of water and ¼thteaspoonsalt. Let it cook partially and place a lid on top. Keep stirring occasionally until the leeks turn tender, but ensure they do not lose their green color. It should take about five to seven minutes for the leeks to get done.
Add the leeks to the bread and add the sliced garlic, 1and ½ tablespoon oil, thyme, cheese, black pepper and the remaining ¼thteaspoon salt. Mix everything gently, preferably using your hands. Spread the mix in a baking dish and add the remaining oil on top.
Bake it for about 30 minutes or till it turns golden and crisp.
12. Honey garlic chicken
You will need:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup honey
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. ginger, grated
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 tbsp. cornstarch
2 tbsp. water
Fresh parsley, green onions, or red pepper flakes for garnish
How to:
Combine honey, garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, ginger, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a bowl.
Marinate chicken in half of this mixture in a sealed bag for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Sear chicken in an ovenproof skillet, then bake with reserved marinade for 20-25 minutes.
Thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry. Garnish and serve.