Top-to-Toe Radish Stirfry

Green tops and pink bottoms! Such a beautiful combination.

No I don't mean clothes (my fashion-savvy sister will probably axe me). I mean radishes.

I got a bunch of them while working at Pimlico farmers' market on saturday, purely because they looked too pink and pretty to miss. It's not a ditzy girly thing. Just look! They are pretty.

I like radishes raw and sliced thinly to add a little kick to salads, or in tzatziki style dips. But I don't think many people know that radishes are absolutely delicious cooked too! Also, did you know that the radish leaves can be eaten too, much like beetroot? The leaves look a little like pea shoots, but have a slight radish-y sharpness. Here's a super fast stirfry with some sesame oil, garlic and spring onions (also bang in season) to celebrate the whole radish, from top to toe!

Top-to-Toe Radish Stirfry

Ingredients

1 bunch of radishes, washed

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 spring onion (white and green parts), chopped

1 tsp fish sauce (or you can use naturally fermented soy sauce)

dash of white pepper

1/2 tsp sesame oil

1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Method

1. Separate the leaves from the radish roots. Quarter the roots.

2. Heat pan over medium-high heat, and add the evoo. Add the white parts of the spring onion, garlic and sesame oil and toss for 1-2 min.

3. Add the radish roots and stir-fry for 3-4 min till their insides turn from an opaque white

to a glossy translucence.

4. Add the radish leaves and the seasoning, and stir-fry for 1 more min until the radish leaves are wilted. Scatter the chopped green parts of the spring onion over to serve.

I really like my radish cooked for a change. The sharpness of the radish mellows, and it takes on a mild daikon radish/ turnip-like sweetness. The leaves add a nice contrast of texture (a bit like pea shoots), and of course, you can never go wrong with sesame oil and toasted garlic!

Oh and if you're wondering why you only see pink bottoms but no green tops in the plastic bags of radishes from Tesco's, and you feel unfairly shortchanged, it's time to make a trip down to the farmer's market ;)

This is part of Hearth and Soul Blog Hop.