I think it’s safe to say that radishes are not a part of most people’s daily meal plans. Radishes are simply not a veggie you keep lying around the kitchen like tomatoes, carrots, or lettuce, for example. When buying a radish, you usually need to have a plan or recipe to use it. Perhaps for this quick and delicious Apple & Radish Salad? So, it never hurts to have a few recipes for this type of veggie in your repertoire. The dishes you can create with it are truly tasty!
Radishes, whether white, red, or black, have a lot to offer. The flavor ranges from mildly spicy to intensely hot depending on the variety, and that is precisely what makes radish so interesting in the kitchen. This characteristic comes from the mustard oils found in the radish. The higher the content, the more “fire” the veggie has. If you prefer a milder taste, opt for round white radishes. They are less pungent and have a softer skin than, let’s say, their black counterparts.
In Asia, radishes are a popular ingredient for cooking, pickling, salads, and much more. Here in Germany, recipes featuring radish aren’t quite as varied. Although in Bavaria, people love this root vegetable and frequently use it in salads, such as this apple and radish salad. A Bavarian “Brotzeit” wouldn’t be perfect without some “Radi” aka. white radish…
Radish really comes into its own when turned into a salad. To keep the spiciness from becoming overpowering, it’s best paired with balancing ingredients like carrots, apples, or leafy greens. A simple vinegar-and-oil dressing or perhaps some yogurt with salt and pepper is often all you need on top. For an Asian-inspired twist, you can add ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. One thing you definitely shouldn’t leave out is a little sugar in the dressing. It significantly mellows the heat.
If you are a bit sensitive to spiciness, you can soak the radish in salted water for a short while before preparing it – this makes it easier to digest and tones down the heat a little. Thereafter, you can simply use it as directed in the recipe and enjoy the salad.
It is entirely up to you whether you cut the radish into thin sticks (as we did for the salad here) or prepare it differently – thin slices or grated radish would work just as well. You should prepare the apples to match the cut of the radish, of course. Large apple slices alongside grated radish might look a bit odd…
Radish salad is a classic side to a traditional German “Brotzeit”, as well as cold cuts and cheese. However, it works just as well as a light starter when you serve meat or fish. In summer, it even makes a refreshing main course – simply serve the salad with some toasted bread or soft pretzels, and you’re all set.
As previously mentioned, radish is a common ingredient in Asian cuisine. A classic example known here is Korean Kimchi, which is made with white radish alongside the cabbage. We like to make a few jars of it occasionally and use the result as a side dish or to make delicious Kimchi Pancakes.
A little white radish would also be a great addition to our Thai-style Kohlrabi Salad. It adds a bit of extra “oomph” and spiciness. It’s a fantastic summer salad that is very easy to prepare.
INGREDIENTS / INGREDIENTS
(4 servings)
For the dressing:
1 tbsp. walnut oil (roasted)*
2 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar*
2 tbsp. apple juice* (naturally cloudy)
1/4 tsp. brown sugar
salt, pepper
For the salad:
16 oz. (450g) white radish, in sticks
2 small apples, in wedges
2 e.g. (60g) soft wheat semolina*, chopped
salt, pepper
some chili flakes* (optional)
(4 people)
For the dressing:
1 tbsp walnut oil (roasted)*
2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar*
2 tbsp apple juice (naturally cloudy)*
1/4 tsp brown sugar
Salt, pepper
For the salad:
450g white radish, in sticks
2 small apples, cut into wedges
60g walnuts*, chopped
Salt, pepper
some chili flakes* (optional)
DIRECTIONS / PREPARATION
1. For the dressing, combine oil, balsamic vinegar, apple juice, and brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Peel the white radish and cut it into thin sticks (julienne). Quarter and core the apples, then cut them into thin wedges. Roughly chop the walnuts. Add everything to a bowl, add the dressing, and mix until well combined. Let the salad sit for at least 20 minutes before serving.
3. Season the salad again with salt and pepper, if needed. Add to serving glasses and sprinkle with a few chili flakes (optional).
1. For the dressing, mix the oil with balsamic vinegar, apple juice and brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Peel the white radish and then cut into thin sticks. Quarter the apples, core them and then cut them into thin wedges. Roughly chop the walnut kernels. Put everything in a bowl, add the dressing and mix well. Let the salad sit for at least 20 minutes before serving.
3. Season the salad again with salt and pepper as desired, arrange in serving glasses and, if necessary, sprinkle with a few chili flakes (optional).
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Here is a version of the recipe you can print easily.
Description
Radishes are often overlooked when it comes to salad, but they are actually perfect for a quick Apple & Radish Salad like this one. Delicious and refreshing!
1. For the dressing, combine oil, balsamic vinegar, apple juice, and brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Peel the white radish and cut it into thin sticks (julienne). Quarter and core the apples, then cut them into thin wedges. Roughly chop the walnuts. Add everything to a bowl, add the dressing, and mix until well combined. Let the salad sit for at least 20 minutes before serving.
3. Season the salad again with salt and pepper, if needed. Add to serving glasses and sprinkle with a few chili flakes (optional).
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