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Celeriac - exciting

(31 Posts)
Sel Thu 02-May-13 14:19:28

I have just discovered celeriac - I've had it in restaurants I think but never bought it myself. I am so pleased to make this momentous discovery late in life - it tastes good, it's easy to cook, it lasts in the fridge for ages AND it's low in calories. It must be a slow week as I found this quite exciting grin

vegasmags Thu 02-May-13 14:23:37

Good for you Sel grin I too am a great fan of this humble root. I like everything about it, from its rather spooky, brain like appearance, to the way it makes a wonderful remoulade and goes brilliantly mashed with swede.

granjura Thu 02-May-13 14:23:50

Celeriac has always been popular here in Switzerland. Both grated, for a salad, or in stews - and currently as a purée. Love it.

Sel Thu 02-May-13 14:33:05

Hmmmm vegasmags that mention of a 'wonderful remoulade' makes me suspect you're a better cook than me smile granjura my list of praise missed celeriac's versatility. As I'm singing it's praises to everyone (and some do look at me strangely) prices may rise so I will stock up grin

vegasmags Thu 02-May-13 14:42:21

It's only a coleslaw with knobs on Sel grin

granjura Thu 02-May-13 14:46:55

Will soon be a 'middle-class' food in the UK, like samphire. Here it is poor man's food!

shysal Thu 02-May-13 15:05:56

I use it to make a lovely creamy soup (without using cream), along with potato, leek and onion in stock.
The root certainly looks worse than it tastes!

merlotgran Thu 02-May-13 15:10:43

Celeriac mashed with potato is a lovely topping for Cottage Pie.

laidback Thu 02-May-13 15:39:37

It is a bugger to peel though! smile

Elegran Thu 02-May-13 16:20:15

I wonder if the cook-it-whole-in-the-microwave-and-the-peel-it swede technique would work with celeriac?

Anne58 Thu 02-May-13 16:27:24

Does it taste anything like celery?

Sel Thu 02-May-13 16:34:23

Ask me phoenix ask me! No, it's a sort of hint of celery in a suggestion of swede with a whiff of carrot and a faint lingering sweetness.

Elegran that technique sounds useful - does it work for butternut squash which is akin to whittling wood wen I try and peel it?h

Sel Thu 02-May-13 16:35:00

oops my aitch jumped

gillybob Thu 02-May-13 16:35:11

I have often been tempted to buy Celeriac but honestly wouldn't have a clue what to do with it. What does it taste like?

Am killing Mr Gillybob with "cook-it-whole-in-the-microwave-and-the-peel-it swede" technique Elegran smile

granjura Thu 02-May-13 16:40:49

Don't 'peel'it with potatoe peeler. I use a sharp knife - it is dirt cheap here and all waste goes into compost, so no worries.

Can't describe the taste. It's like asking what parsnips or Swedes taste like ... you'll just have to try. In a stew is best, or if mashing, mix with potatoes as it is quite strong. Tell us how you get on.

granjura Thu 02-May-13 16:42:36

Just Google celeriac recipes - lots and lots there.

Mamie Thu 02-May-13 16:43:53

It makes an excellent soup too.

Grannylin Thu 02-May-13 16:57:26

Just don't roast it- it has the same explosive effect as Jerusalem artichokes grin

laidback Thu 02-May-13 16:59:14

I suppose 'peel' is too gentle a term. I hack the skin off with a chinese chopper! Butternut squash also a nightmare to peel n chop! Although I have discovered if you pop it in the microwave it does soften the skin, have not tried it with celeriac...yet!

Elegran Thu 02-May-13 17:12:01

gillybob Have you tried that with a swede? That is how I did the neeps for 12 at the Burns Lunch, and it worked a treat. 15-20 minutes on high, then cut it into four, scoop out the cooked flesh and mash it with butter and salt/pepper. Well, to be honest I delegated the mashing to one of the many willing helpers.

Nelliemoser Thu 02-May-13 17:22:34

I was just trawling the Last Hour and the headlines appeared like this.

Celeriac - exciting
·Elegran Thu 02-May-13 17:12:01
gillybob Have you tried that with a swede? That is how I did
·laidback Thu 02-May-13 16:59:14
I suppose 'peel' is too gentle a term. I hack the skin off w
·Grannylin Thu 02-May-13 16:57:26
Just don't roast it- it has the same explosive effect as Jer

My mind was boggling at what might have been going on! grin

gillybob Thu 02-May-13 17:36:56

It depends on how your dirty little mind works Neilliemoser grin

gillybob Thu 02-May-13 17:39:31

Yes Elegran I couldn't wait to try it out after your wonderful Burns Lunch and now I am literally killing Mr Gillybob with it. Delicious. smile

vegasmags Thu 02-May-13 19:20:37

Elegran - what a brilliant idea! I nearly wrench my wrist off peeling a swede - will give your method a go. grin

Nelliemoser Thu 02-May-13 19:29:48

"Gillybob" Umm! I'm telling of you! My mind is as pure as driven snow grin wink