YumSugar

In Season: Radishes

YumSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:10:38 -0700

On a recent trip to my favorite local farmers market, the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, I bought way too many vegetables - including a few bunches of elegant French breakfast radishes from Petaluma-based Marin Roots Farm.

Although radishes are available in Northern California year-round, it's during warm Summer months when one can truly appreciate them for their crisp texture and spicy-juicy bite. These root vegetables are related to the turnip and horseradish families, and come in a myriad of varieties, from my dainty, fine-textured breakfast radishes, with their fuschia-hued base and white tips, to fiery red globes, trippy-looking watermelon radishes, and large, sweet daikons. Learn what I did with mine

Summer of Salads: Grilled Steak With a Pineapple Punch

YumSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:15:56 -0700

While it doesn't quite feel like Summer with the Bay Area's cool weather, I still want to enjoy a simple yet delectable salad. Tossing a mildly spicy ginger dressing over grilled flank steak with sweet pineapple, peppery radishes, and refreshing cucumbers proved to be a great sweet-and-salty combination.

The preparation is easy, with only a bit of chopping, a quick dressing, and flank steak that takes no time on grill. Next time, I'll make the dressing spicier by adding more pepper flakes, or take it to the next heat level with some finely chopped jalapeño. Also, I'd throw the pineapple on the barbecue to caramelize some of the sugar, creating even more complexity. If you're salivating over this salad, get the recipe here!

Move Over Cabbage, Jicama Takes Coleslaw

YumSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:00:41 -0700

Every Fourth of July, I make the ultimate burger. This year I slathered my burger with homemade mustard and ketchup and covered it with a crunchy jicama slaw. If you are not keen on coleslaw as a condiment, it's also a refreshing and crunchy side dish for hot Summer days. A complex slaw, this recipe doesn't exclusively use jicama, but combines radishes, carrots, bell peppers, and cucumbers in a sweet and spicy dressing. Although it's simple, it does take time to prepare - many of the vegetables are grated. It goes fast with one person grating and another chopping, so get someone to help you out (like I did!). To make this colorful and crisp Summer slaw, keep reading.

Yummy Links: From Strawberries to Serving Pedestals

partysugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:50:19 -0700

Learn how to properly cook with rhubarb and strawberries. - Epicurious
What makes a great bartender? - The Atlantic
One reviewer wonders: are newspaper restaurant critics becoming obsolete? - Serious Eats
Celebrate the Obama's 100th day in the White House with a delicious dinner menu. - Chow
A wreath made out of radishes is a surprising Spring decoration. - The Kitchn
When it comes to perfect plating, white pedestal servers are incredibly versatile. - Simply Stated

Source

Definition: Daikon

YumSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:00:37 -0800

Daikon
An East Asian variety of Winter radish, the large, white daikon is mild in flavor and crisp in texture. Its root can be eaten raw, pickled, finely grated over other foods, stir-fried, or simmered in stews. The thicker top end of the root is sweet, and the bottom part of the root is more pungent, making it better suited for cooking. The vegetable's leafy tops can be stir-fried or used in soups or salads.

On last week's Top Chef, Eugene struggled with his warm interpretation of daikon.
Source

Fast & Easy Dinner: White Bean and Chorizo Salad

partysugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:45:33 -0800

Take a trip to Spain in your kitchen tonight with this crunchy, filling, and flavorful salad.

Canned white beans are combined with spicy chorizo before being tossed with a sherry vinaigrette. Sliced radishes add a refreshing crispness and black olives finish off this interesting dish with a salty tang.

The hard boiled eggs make the salad wonderfully well-balanced. Serve with crusty bread (for mopping the tasty dressing) and a glass of Spanish wine. For the recipe please read more.

White Bean and Chorizo Salad
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

2 large eggs
One 15-ounce can small white beans, drained
1 ready-to-eat chorizo link (3 ounces), finely diced
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 Boston lettuce leaves
1/4 cup pitted Calamata olives
1 radish, thinly sliced

Directions

Put the eggs in a small saucepan. Cover the eggs with water and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover and let stand for 12 minutes. Drain and run under cold water, gently shaking the pan. Peel the eggs and pat dry.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss the beans with the chorizo, onion, bell pepper, parsley, oregano and cumin seeds.
Add the olive oil and vinegar, season with salt and pepper and toss well. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Arrange the lettuce leaves in bowls and mound the bean salad on top. Scatter the olives and radish slices all around. Quarter the eggs, arrange them around the salads and serve.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Herbed Lamb Steak Salads

partysugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:45:07 -0800

The classic steak salad gets a Greek makeover in this quick recipe. Lamb is seared on a grill pan before being tossed with mixed greens, radishes, and feta cheese.

A simple dressing combines yogurt with fresh chopped mint. When paired with a hummus and pita chip starter, this salad is perfect for weeknight entertaining. Check out the recipe and read more.

Herbed Lamb Steak Salads
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

1 lb. lamb steaks, 1/2-inch thick
1 Tbsp. olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper
1 5-oz. pkg. mixed salad greens with herbs
2/3 cup sliced fresh radishes
1 6-oz. carton plain yogurt
1 to 2 Tbsp. snipped fresh mint
Herbed feta cheese

Directions

Heat grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush steaks with oil; sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
Cook steaks for 8 to 12 minutes or until desired doneness (160 degrees F for medium), turning once halfway through cooking. Transfer to cutting board; cover and let rest for 2 minutes.
Meanwhile, divide salad greens and radishes among four plates.
For dressing, in a bowl combine yogurt and mint; season to taste with salt and pepper.
Remove bone from lamb. Cut lamb in strips; place meat on salad greens. Sprinkle with feta; pass yogurt-mint dressing.

Serves 4.

Nutrition Facts: Calories 344, Total Fat (g) 26, Saturated Fat (g) 10, Monounsaturated Fat (g) 11, Polyunsaturated Fat (g) 2, Cholesterol (mg) 82, Sodium (mg) 258, Carbohydrate (g) 5, Total Sugar (g) 4, Fiber (g) 1, Protein (g) 22, Vitamin C (DV%) 11, Calcium (DV%) 12, Iron (DV%) 13

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Butter-Braised Radishes: An Unexpected Surprise

YumSugar — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Lately I've been drawn to preparing everyday vegetables in unexpected ways: Last week, I wrote about turnips and the spicy quality they take on when served raw in a salad. Likewise, when I saw a recipe for braised radishes, I couldn't wait to try it. Unlike turnips, which are often found simmering in stews, radishes are typically served raw in salads or as crudités. However, the fuschia-hued root vegetable is delicious when cooked. After braising these radishes, they tasted and looked liked red-skinned potatoes, with a blush-colored skin, a soft, waxy texture, and a mellow flavor.

Radishes, when sautéed with a little butter and quick-braised, are as comforting to eat as potatoes, but they require a fraction of the labor and have none of the heaviness of a serious starch. To get the recipe for this surprisingly stunning dish, read more.

Butter-Braised Radishes
Adapted from the Chicago Tribune

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 green onions, cut into 1/4-inch dice, white and light green parts only
2 bunches radishes, greens removed, trimmed, halved or quartered, depending on size
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon sugar
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup water

Directions

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook until it just begins to brown, 3-4 minutes.
Add the onion; lower heat to medium. Cook, stirring, until the onion softens, about 3 minutes.
Add the radishes, salt, sugar and pepper to taste; stir in the water.
Raise heat to high; heat just to a boil. Cover; lower heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 20 minutes.
Uncover; raise heat to high. Heat to a boil; cook until almost all the liquid has evaporated, about 4 minutes.

Serves 4.

Nutrition information per serving: 76 calories, 71% of calories from fat, 6 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 6 g carbohydrates, 1 g protein, 118 mg sodium, 2 g fiber

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Vegetable Stir-Fry

partysugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:45:35 -0700

Chock full of crunchy vegetables and Asian flavors, this vegetarian stir-fry is hearty and delectable. The meal comes together in minutes, because the vegetables - bok choy, snow peas, radishes, and spinach - are flash cooked in a large sauté pan. Meaty, soy-glazed tofu and a fresh ginger vinaigrette add layers of delicious depth to the veggies. This recipe is highly adaptable, so feel free to substitute bell peppers, mushrooms, or any other vegetable.

Chicken, pork, shrimp, or beef are nice alternatives to tofu. To get the versatile recipe, read more.

Vegetable Stir-Fry
From Food and Wine magazine

Ingredients

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3 tablespoons cooking oil
1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large head bok choy (about 1 1/2 pounds), stalks cut into 1/2-inch pieces, leaves shredded
1/2 pound snow peas
10 radishes, quartered
4 teaspoons soy sauce
1/2 pound spinach, stems removed and leaves washed well
1/2 pound firm tofu, cut into 3/4-inch dice

Directions

In a small glass or stainless-steel bowl, combine the ginger, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of the cooking oil, the sesame oil, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and the pepper. Set aside.
In a wok or a large nonstick frying pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons cooking oil over moderately high heat.
Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add the bok-choy stalks and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the snow peas and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the radishes and the soy sauce and cook, stirring, for 1 minute longer.
Add the bok-choy leaves, the spinach, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to the pan. Cook, tossing gently, until the leaves just wilt, 1 to 2 minutes.
Add all but 1 tablespoon of the vinaigrette and toss to coat. Remove the vegetables from the pan.
In the same pan, heat the remaining tablespoon of vinaigrette over moderately high heat. Add the tofu and cook, turning occasionally, until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Return the vegetables to the pan and stir gently to mix.

Serves 4.

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What's in Season: Watermelon Radishes

YumSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:18:39 -0700

I was recently at my local farmers market when I noticed these beautiful watermelon radishes. I've had them in salads before - they're absolutely gorgeous and add a tremendous amount of color to a dull-looking meal - but have a hard time finding them in person.

The watermelon radish has the crunchy texture like other radishes, and are peppery - like regular radishes - on the outside, and sweeter towards the middle. On the outside they appear to look like turnips or baby daikon radishes - they're actually an heirloom version of the daikon - and they can be prepared like them, too. You can cook them (braised, sautéed, mashes, fried, etc.) and serve it as a side dish, or you can serve them raw in salads, sandwiches, or as garnish.

Look for radishes that are firm and without any bruises. For a milder flavor, wash and cut radishes, and store in an ice-water bath several hours before serving. Also it's good to note that the intensity of the flavor will decrease the longer it sits around, so eat them up as soon as you can!

Have you ever had a watermelon radish? Do you enjoy them?