If you perk up at the mere mention of roasted garlic when reading a menu, you are not alone. Roasting fresh garlic tames its sharp bite, leaving behind cloves that are soft, golden and aromatic. Learn how to roast garlic at home, and see the ways that this rousing flavor can be incorporated into your favorite dishes:

Mashed Potatoes

Whether it’s a part of your imminent Thanksgiving menu or served up on a weeknight, Ree Drummond’s ultra-creamy Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes (pictured above) uses a whopping minimum of three whole heads of garlic.

Chicken

Serve Melissa d’Arabian’s Roasted Garlic Clove Chicken with bread to mop up the sauce and spread the softened garlic. She opts for chicken thighs, which are extra-juicy and flavorful.

Chili

For a fast dose of garlicky flavor, Melissa quick-roasts cloves in the microwave. Her recipe White Chili with Quick-Roasted Garlic for Food Network Magazine comes with garlicky, spicy spoonfuls of chicken, navy beans and spinach.

Bread

After roasting whole garlic cloves in the oven until soft, squeeze the garlic out of its skin onto crusty, grilled bread for Roasted Garlic Bruschetta.

Soup

Every spoonful of Guy Fieri’s Roasted Garlic Soup with Asiago Crostini centers around our favorite ingredient. It uses six whole heads of garlic, and gets a velvety smoothness from heavy cream.

Dip

Get your roasted garlic fix with a healthy, satisfying dip. Spread out veggies or tortilla chips with this White Bean and Roasted Garlic Dip for a wholesome party appetizer.

Veggies

Still having a hard time getting on the Brussels sprouts train? Food Network Magazine’s Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts are roasted until tender with chopped, sauteed garlic cloves. You won’t be able to say no.

Ketchup

When it comes to Rachael Ray’s Mini Chipotle Beef Burgers with Warm Fire-Roasted Garlic Ketchup, the condiments are where it’s at. Slather this amped-up homemade ketchup onto everything from Rachael’s burger to hot dogs to fries.

French Fries

When it comes to fry dunking, Tyler Florence’s French Fries with Roasted Garlic Mayonnaise can make even the biggest ketchup fiend swoon. The key? Whipping up the garlicky mayo goodness from scratch.

Garlic

Ree Drummond’s recipe for whole Roasted Garlic cuts right to the chase. Roasted in the oven with olive oil until nice and soft, whole cloves belong spread on crusty bread.