Roasted Garlic with Goat Cheese

Description

 * Serves 8 or more

Ingredients

 * ¾ cup crème fraîche
 * 16 – 20 whole heads of garlic
 * ½ cup butter
 * pepper to taste
 * 1 cup dry white wine
 * ½ cup vegetable stock
 * ½ kilo semi-hard goat cheese
 * 6 spring onions, trimmed and chopped finely
 * 16 – 20 slices country-style bread
 * olive oil (optional)

Directions

 * 1) With the point of a knife make an incision in each garlic bulb about 4 cm from the top.
 * 2) Remove the first layer of skin from the tops so that the points of the cloves are showing.
 * 3) Grease a baking dish and arrange the bulbs in the dish.
 * 4) Dot the bulbs with the butter, using ½ tbsp of butter for each bulb.
 * 5) Sprinkle with pepper.
 * 6) Pour the wine and stock into the baking dish, cover with aluminum foil and bake in an oven that has been preheated to 180°C for 45 minutes.
 * 7) Remove the foil and bake for 15 minutes longer.
 * 8) The cloves will be done when some of the garlic comes off on the tip of a sharp knife that is inserted into the cloves.
 * 9) Remove from the oven.
 * 10) Place all but 3 tbsp of the crème fraîche in a bowl and to this add the cheese, mashing together with a fork.
 * 11) Add the remaining crème fraîche if necessary and continue beating with a fork until the mixture has the texture of a thick puree.
 * 12) Add the chopped spring onions and mix well.
 * 13) To serve, place 1 slice of bread and 1 garlic bulb on each plate, and place the remaining garlic on a serving plate in the center of the table.
 * 14) Pass the cheese mixture separately.
 * 15) Guests should spread the cheese on the bread; then, using a fork, they should press the garlic flesh out of each clove and spread it on top.
 * 16) The garlic may then be sprinkled with olive oil if desired.
 * 17) Serve with dry red wine as an appetizer.