Since digging up bargains is what we do best, at fall harvest time we rock out on root vegetables. They’re versatile, nutritious, delicious and cheap, cheap, cheap.
First up?
Turnips. No making faces! You’ve just never been introduced to the right turnip. Let us be the matchmaker.
Depending on the variety, or when they’re harvested, or how long it takes to get them from farm to table, and on preparation method, the flavor pop in a turnip can run the gamut from bitter to sweet to crunchy to tangy. We embrace them all.
Add turnips to the pan of a simple roast chicken, a root vegetable mélange, or a pot roast. Puree them. Make soup, pickles, and chips with turnips. Slice baby sweet ones raw into a salad. Since every eco-friendly bitch on a budget should always use the whole thing — don’t forget about the greens. Make a fresh tossed salad, throw them in a soup or steam and finish the turnip greens with a drizzle of olive or sesame oil.
Our favorite preparation is braised. Like all our recipes this is just a guideline. You can increase/decrease the amount. Cook more or less. Add another root vegetable to the mix, your own herbs, a different stock.
Braised Turnips
2 lbs small whole turnips (or larger ones cut in 1/2) peeled
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2-2 cups water or chicken stock
Fresh Thyme (optional)
Kosher salt
Pepper
We make this in our ‘go-to’ 12″ All Clad fry pan. (Avoid using a Teflon pan –the turnips won’t ‘caramelize’ nicely.)
Heat oil over a medium high heat. Add peeled turnips, salt and pepper. Cook for 10-12 minutes until the turnips begin to turn golden brown. (Don’t worry, they won’t be evenly browned… the slow braise will do this.) The exact time for this is stovetop and veggie dependent. The trick is to not let the heat get too high– burning the oil/butter– or too low– the veggies won’t caramelize.
Then add the water or stock to the pan to reach halfway up the sides of the turnips. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to med-low. Cook 45-minutes to an hour. (Remember we said ‘sweat equity’? This requires minding. You may need to add more liquid as the turnips are cooking, turn the heat up or down, and keep checking for doneness.) They’re done when the turnips are nicely browned and tender. If you still have liquid left in the pan, remove the veggies, and cook down the liquid. Put the turnips back in the pan to glaze.
Season with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme sprigs.
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just about all of them but potatoes are the most versatile
I was going to say potatoes hands down, but then I remembered garlic & onions! I have never had a turnip. I will have to try your recipe! =)
I love roast root vegetables. I don’t know why I don’t eat them more often.
LMAO@XXXturnips Bwaaahaaa
The humble carrot LOL. I keep them on hand always, because they go with everything (also celery and onions. I’m never without them in the house).
link worked for me just now!!
I’m not even going there to find out! lol
yucca con mojo
Anyone else experiencing a XXX turnip story?
Ugh.
I just hit the Root Vegetables on a Budget…and got an offer to watch Emma Watson have sex~ again
@Karen. Which link the direct link or the bitly link? We just tried both and they connected.
You’ve got a virus to that link above
Keep up the good work BOAB!!