Ina Garten Turnip Food

TURNIP GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375º.Start by peeling and thinly slicing the turnips and mincing the cloves of garlic. Grate about 2 cups of Gruyere cheese.In a large oven-proof skillet, melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Place a single layer of turnips on top of the butter. Next, sprinkle a little of the garlic on top, then - and this is purely optional and really not all that necessary - add a couple of tablespoons of butter. Next drizzle a healthy splash of chicken broth over the turnips. Next, do the same with the cream. Now add a nice layer of Gruyere - about ½ cup. Sprinkle a bit of salt, but not much as the cheese is already salty.Repeat these layers twice more. Sprinkle on some freshly ground black pepper.Now pop the whole thing into the over and bake for about 20 minutes or until the top is hot, brown and bubbly.

WARM FRENCH LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saute pan, add the leek and carrots, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute and set aside.
• Meanwhile, place the lentils, 4 cups of water, the onion with the cloves, and the turnip in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are almost tender. Remove and discard the onion and turnip and drain the lentils. Place them in a medium bowl with the leek and carrots, and add the butter.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the 1/4 cup of olive oil, the mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add to the lentils, stir well, and allow the lentils to cool until just warm, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve. The longer the lentils sit, the more salt and pepper you'll want to add.

ROASTED WINTER VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cut the carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, and butternut squash in 1 to 1 1/4-inch cubes. All the vegetables will shrink while baking, so don't cut them too small.
• Place all the cut vegetables in a single layer on 2 baking sheets. Drizzle them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss well. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until all the vegetables are tender, turning once with a metal spatula.
• Sprinkle with parsley, season to taste, and serve hot.

ROASTED PARSNIPS AND CARROTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• If the parsnips and carrots are very thick, cut them in half lengthwise. Slice each diagonally in 1-inch-thick slices. The vegetables will shrink while cooking, so don't make the pieces too small. Place the cut vegetables on a sheet pan. Add the olive oil, salt, and pepper and toss well. Roast for 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the vegetables, tossing occasionally, until the parsnips and carrots are just tender. Sprinkle with dill and serve hot.

TURNIP MASH

Steps:

• Peel and roughly chop 3 pounds turnips. Place in a pot and cover with equal parts milk and water (about 2 1/2 cups each); add a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer and cook until soft, 20 to 25 minutes; drain. Puree with 1/4 cup heavy cream and 2 tablespoons butter. Season with salt and top with crumbled cooked bacon.
• Use a food processor or immersion blender to puree these veggies-they're too fibrous for a potato masher.

BUTTERED TURNIP PUREE

Steps:

• Combine the turnips, milk, thyme and garlic in a medium saucepan. Set over medium heat and partially cover the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, until the turnips are tender-the tip of a paring knife should go through without resistance.
• Drain the turnips, reserving the cooking liquid, and transfer to a food processor (discard the thyme sprigs). Add about 1 cup of the reserved cooking liquid and the butter, season with plenty of salt and pepper and puree until smooth. Add more of the liquid, if necessary. Serve hot.

TURNIP GRATIN

Steps:

• Special Equipment: mandolin, 11 by 7-inch baking dish
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Put the cream, garlic, thyme and cayenne in a saucepan and season it with salt. Taste to make sure it is adequately seasoned. Bring the cream to a boil and then turn off the heat. Let the mixture steep for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Butter the baking dish and layer in 1/3 of the sliced turnips. Sprinkle 1/3 of the grated cheese over the turnips and dot with 1/3 of the butter. Remove the thyme and garlic from the cream and pour 1/3 of the cream over the turnips. Repeat this process 2 more times until all of the ingredients are used up.
• Cover the dish with foil, place on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes, until golden. When done a fork should slide in and out of the center of the dish easily.
• For easier serving, let the dish rest 10 to 12 minutes before serving.
• Who knew a turnip could be soooooooooooooo good!