My fave that I've made is baba ganoush. Basically eggplant (grilled/smoked is best) and lemon and garlic and tahini and parsley, which is great, but to make an upscale version, use basil and pistachio butter.
I also like moussaka without potatoes, some Japanese recipe involving grilling with some miso inclusion somewhere, and a Chinese recipe with oyster sauce and/or hoisin and lots of garlic.
And very simply, olive oil and oven roast and put on pizza with lots of garlic
