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Epicurious

Smashed Turnips with Fresh Horseradish

We love turnips and don’t want you to pass them by the next time you’re at the market. When cooked right, their earthy flavor is seriously irresistible. At the Shop people go crazy for them. The kick from the horseradish brings out the natural sweetness, and the sour cream adds a tangy, rich element. We love these with the Salmon Balls (page 34) or Venison, aka Bambi, Balls (page 42).

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

8 large turnips (about 2 pounds) , peeled and quartered
1/2 cup sour cream
6 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons freshly grated horseradish or more to taste
2 teaspoons salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place the turnips in a large pot with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until forktender, about 25 minutes. Drain thoroughly, until completely dry.

    Step 2

    Place the turnips in a bowl and, while they are still hot, add the sour cream, scallions, horseradish, and salt. Mash with a wire whisk or potato masher until well combined but still chunky. Serve immediately.

Reprinted with permission from The Meatball Shop Cookbook by Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow with Lauren Deen. Copyright © 2011 by Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow; photographs copyright © 2011 by John Kernick. Published by Ballantine Books, an imprint of The Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. Daniel Holzman is executive chef at The Meatball Shop. He is an alum of Le Bernadin, San Francisco's Fifth Floor, and Aqua, among other highly acclaimed restaurants. He attended the Culinary Institute of America, where he received a full scholarship from the James Beard Foundation. Michael Chernow runs the front-of-house operations and the beverage program at The Meatball Shop. He has worked extensively in restaurants in New York and Los Angeles. He is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, where he earned degrees in culinary arts and restaurant management. He and Holzman met as teenagers when they worked together as delivery boys at the New York vegan restaurant Candle Café. Needless to say, the vegan thing didn't really stick. Lauren Deen is the author of the New York Times bestselling Cook Yourself Thin series and Kitchen Playdates. She is an Emmy award—and James Beard award— winning television producer and director. She is currently executive producer of food(ography) on the Cooking Channel.
TagsTurnipRoot VegetableVegetableHorseradishHerbs & SpicesSideDinnerNut FreeGluten FreeVegetarianEasy5 Ingredients or FewerSimmerCookbooks
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