When you need that wonderful nutmeg taste, there is nothing like freshly ground nutmeg. The nutmeg tree is a tropical evergreen which bears fruit; the seed of the fruit is the nutmeg spice. Each seed is about an inch long, and egg shaped. It is hard and requires grating to obtain the sweet spice that is used for cooking and baking. The graters are easy to use. Their rounded shape keeps your fingertips away from the sharp grating surface. And the grated results are finer. The spring-loaded mechanism, quick turning handle, and serrated teeth of the mills make work even easier and quicker, though you'll generally get coarser results than from the graters.
How to Roast Garlic
We recommend, though it's not required, that you soak the terracotta dome in cold water for 15 minutes before using. Cut 0.5-0.75 in. off top of garlic bulb, exposing the clove tops. (If using Elephant Garlic, slice off 1 in. or more.) Remove some of the loose outer skin, but not all, leaving the bulb intact. Place garlic on the glazed terracotta base. (To make the results even creamier, pour approximately 1 tablespoon of olive oil on top of the bulb.) Cover with dome and place in a cold oven. Set temperature at 325-350°F, and bake for 50 to 60 minutes.
How to Roast Garlic in the Microwave
To roast in the microwave, prepare as above, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on medium, or 2 to 3 minutes on high. Depending on the power of your microwave oven, you may need to cook it for up to 50 seconds more.
Serve the roasted garlic whole. Squeeze each clove and spread the soft garlic onto hot, crusty French bread rounds, or crispy crackers. Also great for use in dips and dishes.
