When it comes to holiday side dishes, celery is like the wallflower of the party— barely noticed, while the big personalities like green beans and mashed potatoes take the spotlight. But the normally overlooked celery takes center stage in this recipe, by Food and Lifestyle Expert, Chadwick Boyd and Josie’s Organics. OMG. Add some cheese and cream and prepare to be transported to celery HEAVEN. Plus, it’s low carb! You can see by the pic below that Chadwick’s recipes have transported me to heaven!
Next up on the Veggie Hall of Fame: RADISHES! I always think of the fairytale, Rapunzel when I cook with radishes…Remember, the poor husband who stole radishes from the witch’s garden to satisfy the cravings of his pregnant wife? Then the witch took Rapunzel as his debt to her! Well, this recipe has a happily ever after in your belly! You will feel like stealing scarfing down these radishes when you taste them…
I swear, a little roasting and radishes take on the flavor and consistency of potatoes. Try them! The rosemary brown butter is the finishing touch that makes them #meltinyourmouth. OMG.
Ingredients
- 1 bunch Josie’s Organics celery
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small sweet onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, plus a few sprigs for garnish
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1½ cups low sodium chicken stock
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese, finely grated
- Kosher salt and fresh black pepper to taste
- 1 bunch Josie’s Organics radishes, washed, roots and stems/leaves removed and set aside*, cut in half
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 Tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Remove leaves from celery, wash leaves and place in a small bowl of ice water. Finely chop one rib of celery and place in the ice water with the leaves. Set aside.
- Trim ends of remaining ribs of celery and peel the outer strings with a vegetable peeler. Cut ribs into 3-4 inch pieces.
- Heat a large skillet on medium-high. Add olive oil and butter, allowing butter to melt slightly. Stir in garlic and onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Place celery pieces into pan and pour chicken stock over them. Add salt and thyme leaves. Bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium and let simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the celery is just tender (use a knife to test).
- Transfer ingredients to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour cream over celery and sprinkle Gruyere evenly on top. Season with Kosher salt and pepper and garnish with sprigs of thyme.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Remove reserved celery bits and leaves from water, pat dry and scatter on top.
- DRESS IT UP! Sometimes more cheese is a good thing. To make this dish a little richer and gooey-er, layer additional thin slices of Gruyere over the celery during the last 3-5 minutes of baking. Turn up the oven to broil and place the baking dish back in the oven. Remove when the cheese is melted and golden brown. Finish with the fresh celery bits and leaves before serving.
- *Radish leaves tend to be extra gritty. Rinse thoroughly in cold, clean water and let rest on layers of paper towels to dry.
- Preheat oven to 425°.
- Toss radishes in olive oil and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
- Place cut side down on a large baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes until cut sides just begin to brown and radishes are tender with a knife.
- Five minutes before the radishes finish roasting, prepare the brown butter sauce. You want it hot to wilt the radish tops.
- Heat a skillet on medium-high heat until hot. Add butter. It will immediately sizzle and foam. Stir with a wooden spoon for 4-5 minutes. The butter will begin to darken. Add rosemary. The butter will crackle and foam again and release the fragrance of the rosemary. Continue to cook another 3-4 minutes until it turns a beautiful, deep brown color yet not burned. Remove from heat.
- Place the radishes and leaves in a large mixing bowl. Pour over the brown butter and gently toss. Place on a platter. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately.
- DRESS IT UP! If you’re planning a brunch or dinner party, you can easily double or triple this recipe to serve a large group of guests. The pinkish red radishes and bright green leaves look particularly stunning on a big white platter. They are sure to turn heads on your buffet or at the table. Different salts, like Pink Himalayan or truffle salt, are a great way to finish it off.