Properly prepare turnips for use in recipes.
Turnips have become an unpopular vegetable. This may have more to do with how they are prepared than the taste of the turnips themselves. The turnip is purple and white and can sometimes have a long, leafy stem that should be removed before cooking. Turnips can have a bitter taste, but if a soup or chowder calls for turnip, do not leave it out. Instead, learn properly cook a turnip to allow it to enhance the recipe, not make it bitter. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
Diced
1. Cut the tops off the turnips to remove any green leaves. The turnips may be washed before boiling, although it is not necessary.
2. Fill a pot with water. Place the turnips in the pot, but do not crowd or they may take longer to cook. Add a whole potato to the water. Turnips release a bitter flavor when boiled, and the potato will help absorb some of the bitterness.
3. Cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Boil the turnips for at least 30 minutes.
4. Drain the turnips once they are tender, and dispose of the potato. Allow the turnips to cool. Chop, dice or slice the turnip to add to soups or chowders.
Grated
5. Wash and dry the turnips. Chop off the tops.
6. Place the grater over a bowl. Carefully grate the turnips into the bowl.
7. Add the turnips and broth to the saucepan, and cover. You can use chicken, beef or vegetable broth. Add any additional vegetables for the soup or chowder to the saucepan. However, do not over crowd the saucepan. Additionally, you may need more broth to cook the vegetables in.
8. Bring the turnips to a boil. Uncover and bring the turnips down to a simmer. Allow the turnips to cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until tender.
9. Add the cooked turnips to any soups or chowders.
Puree
10. Wash and dry the turnips. Cut the tops off of the turnips. Peel the turnips and rinse away any skin from the outside of the turnip. Dry the turnips, and cut them into 1-inch pieces.
11. Place the turnips in the pot. Add water until the turnips are covered. Place on a burner and bring to a boil. Boil the turnips for half an hour, or until the turnips are tender.
12. Drain the turnips. Then place them back into the pot on medium heat until the turnips are dry in appearance.
13. Put the turnips in the food processor. Add the cream and butter to the food processor. Cover the food processor with the lid and puree until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
14. Use the puree as a base for soups. Add other cut vegetables or meat to the puree to create a creamy turnip soup.
Tags: food processor, until turnips, Allow turnips, boil Boil, boil Boil turnips, Boil turnips, Drain turnips
