Whip up a roasted garlic feast

Chef Marcus Samuelsson believes that the easiest things in cooking are usually the best -- and what could be easier than roasted garlic?

On "The Early Show" Wednesday morning, Samuelsson showed how to roast garlic and feature it in several simple, tasty dishes. Samuelsson is the chef and owner of Red Rooster Harlem and author of "New American Table."

RECIPES:

Roasted Garlic

INGREDIENTS:
1 head of garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 thyme sprigs
Salt
Freshly ground pepper

METHOD:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.

2. Cut the top off the garlic and drizzle with olive oil. Place on a sheet of aluminum foil and put the thyme sprigs on top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap the foil around the garlic and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool, then squeeze the softened pulp from the cloves.

Garlic Crostini

INGREDIENTS:
1 fresh baguette, sliced in 1-inch pieces
Olive oil, for brushing
1 head roasted garlic

METHOD:

1. Heat grill to medium-high.

2. Brush the baguette slices with olive oil, front and back.

3. Using tongs, place baguette slices on grill for approximately 2 minutes on each side, or until golden and slightly charred at ends.

4. Spread roasted garlic on grilled crostini and serve

Grilled Salmon

INGREDIENTS:
4 4-ounce salmon fillets, no skin, about 1-inch thick
3 tablespoons olive oil

1. Heat a grill over high heat.

2. Brush the salmon fillets with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Place on the grill and grill until cooked through, about 2 minutes on each side.

3. Spread Roasted Garlic over top before serving.

Lemon Garlic Chicken

INGREDIENTS:
3 1/2 pounds whole roasting chicken, cut in half length wise
1 head roasted garlic
1 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
1 lemon, sliced

METHOD:

1. Mix all ingredients together until chicken is coated thoroughly.

2. Let marinate for 24 hours.

3. Preheat oven to 325 F.

4. Place marinated chicken in roasting pan with excess marinade. Top, lengthwise, with lemon slices.

5. Roast for 1 1/2 hours. Remove from oven and let sit for 20 minutes before slicing.