Braised Vegetables
on Aug 10, 2019, Updated Jul 23, 2020
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Braised vegetables are an easy fall side dish and the perfect Thanksgiving recipe.
Braised Vegetables
With the high season for food closing in on us here in the U.S., it’s never too early to start thinking about our Thanksgiving menu.
In addition to the main event, there are appetizers, soups, salads, and desserts to be made.
And sides dishes.
Lots of side dish recipes.
This little dish caught my eye while leafing through Ad Hoc At Home, by Thomas Keller.
It is reasonably healthful, void of carbs and heavy cream, and completely seasonal with Brussels sprouts and root vegetables.
We are accustomed to eating radishes when raw.
In this recipe, the divided radishes are gently cooked in butter.
The resulting crisp sweetness is vastly unlike the sharp bite of raw radish.
The tender kohlrabi lends another, mellow and pleasing soft crunch to the dish, echoing the flavors and texture found in the inner stalk of broccoli.
Finally, the Brussels sprouts, blanched in salted water to enhance and extract their sweetness, provide a solid foundation for the accompanying root vegetables.
We gave this a trial run this evening and served it with some fresh cod and quinoa.
As a side dish, it passes with flying colors.
It possesses the versatility to pair with almost anything but is especially well suited for autumn fare, tailor-made for the Thanksgiving table.
More Fall Side Dishes
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Butter-Braised Radishes, Kohlrabi, and Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Brussels sprouts
- 2 bunches, about 18 Easter or red radishes, about 1-1/2 inches in diameter
- 8 tablespoons 1 stick; 4 ounces unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vinegar, plus more to taste
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup Chicken Stock or Vegetable Stock, plus more if needed
- 6 kohlrabi, about 2-1/2 inches in diameter
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives or mint
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Prepare an ice bath.
- Meanwhile, trim the root ends of the Brussels sprouts and remove and discard any tough or bruised outer leaves. Cut the sprouts in half through the root end.
- Blanch the sprouts until tender, about 4 minutes. Chill in the ice bath and drain. Transfer to a tray and put in the refrigerator to chill.
- Trim the greens from the radishes and wash the radishes under cold water. Cut larger radishes into 6 wedges each, smaller radishes into quarters.
- Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat in a sauté pan big enough to hold the radishes in a single layer.
- Add the shallot and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until softened.
- Add the radishes. sugar, and vinegar, season generously with salt and pepper, and add 1/4 cup of the stock. Bring to a simmer, cover the pan, and simmer gently for about 8 minutes, until the radishes are crisp-tender. Cook uncovered, swirling the pan, to glaze the radishes, about 4 minutes. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Meanwhile, cut the stems and roots from the kohlrabi. Stand each kohlrabi on a cut end and peel it with a sharp knife, cutting deep enough to reach the tender flesh. Cut lengthwise into slices about 1/2 inch thick. Trim the rounded sides of the slices and cut the kohlrabi into 1/2-inch-wide batons. You need 2 cups of batons (reserve any remaining kohlrabi for another use).
- Add the kohlrabi to the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes, or until tender. Drain and transfer to paper towels to drain thoroughly.
- Bring the remaining 1/4 cup stock to a simmer in a large sauté pan. Whisk in the remaining 4 tablespoons butter until emulsified and smooth. Add the Brussels sprouts and kohlrabi and cook over high heat for 45 seconds. Add the radishes and any liquid remaining in the pan and heat through. If the butter begins to break, you can swirl in another couple of tablespoons of stock or water. Toss in the chives and season with salt and pepper and a few drops of vinegar, or to taste. Transfer the vegetables to a platter.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This dish was a great hit at our expat film evening. I even added mushrooms and celeryy, and before serving, sprinkled some spring onions. It went well with the polenta. Definitely a keeper! In fact, I should have made more, so there would have been leftovers.
Thanks for this idea (esp since I have decided now in the pandemic to try new vegetables and KOHLRABI was one them).
Barbara in Germany
Sounds really good, and I guess we will definitely take your word for it. Have a great day!
Ladies,
Thanks for dropping by – I’m always looking for Brussels sprouts recipes. Again, mixing it up now and then by adding new and different components helps pique interest for me in a vegetable that isn’t exactly at the top of everyones’ favorites list.
I have never had “Kohlrabi” and now my interest is piqued! I think this is gonna have to be at our Christmas table – thanks Dan!
Shashi,
Give it a try, I think you will like!! Have a great Thanksgiving my friend!
I love how veggie-full this is and that there is no cream!! Rare amongst holiday sides. 🙂
Thank you, Joanne!! Happy Thanksgiving to you!!
Looks like a great side – love brussels sprouts! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Marie. Same to you!!!