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How To Prepare Celery Root?

How To Prepare Celery Root?

Last Updated on 17th December 2021 by

Celery root originates from the Mediterranean area. It was used for religious purposes by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. It gained importance as a vegetable in the middle ages.

Celery root is also known as Celeriac and is loaded with vitamins and minerals. While not a popular choice in cooking, it can be incorporated in several dishes as a substitute for potatoes. 

Suppose you got your hands on a celery root and didn’t know what to do with it. I got you covered. Follow this article to understand how to prepare celery root and how to use it in different recipes.

#1 How To Prepare Celery Root

If you have never used a celery root, you may find it intimidating. Celery root can sometimes be hollow from the center. While shopping for a celery root, try to find one that feels heavier than its size. 

man cutting celery root

You can store it in your fridge for up to three weeks in a plastic bag. For preparing the celery root for cooking, follow the below-mentioned steps.

Scrub it thoroughly to remove all the dirt. Place it on its side and cut off the top and bottom with a knife. Take a vegetable peeler and peel off the skin of the celery root. Since it can have an uneven shape, you might need to cut off or scoop out some left unpeeled parts.

#2 How To Prepare Celery Root For Roasting

Roasted celery root is one of the most common ways to prepare a celery root, and it tastes delicious as a side dish. 

After you have prepped the celery root and peeled off the skin, place it on a chopping board. Cut the root into one and a half-inch chunks. The center of the celery root sometimes gets spongy. Remove that part—Preheat the oven at 425 degrees F. 

Take a baking sheet and toss the celery root into olive oil. Season appropriately with salt and ground pepper. Roast until the celery root is cooked and takes a golden color for up to twenty to twenty-five minutes. Remove from the oven and toss the hot celery root in apple cider vinegar. Garnish with chopped toasted almonds and fresh thyme leaves.

#3 How To Prepare Celery Root For Baking

There are several ways of baking a celery root, and baking brings out a sweet flavor that balances out its flavor. 

Preheat the oven at 425 degrees F. Prep the celery root by washing it properly and removing the bottom and top part. Cut it into half and peel off the skin with the help of a peeler or a sharp knife. Now cut the roots into three fourth inch of an inch size chunks.

Take some cumin seeds and roughly chop them. Take the cumin seeds, olive oil, celery roots cubes, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl, and give a thorough mix—Line the cubes on a baking sheet. 

Take some thinly sliced red onion and toss it in the bowl in which you had mixed the cubes with oil and seasonings. Coat the onion into the remaining oil and place it on top of the celery cubes. Put the baking sheet into the oven and bake for about fifteen minutes. Toss and turn the vegetables and bake for ten more minutes.

#4 How To Prepare Celery Root For Stew

One great way to include celery root into your diet is by using it in a beef stew. 

Start by heating oil in a Dutch oven over medium to high heat. Add about two pounds of beef to it and cook until it turns brown. Add one and a half pounds of chopped celery root to the Dutch oven. Add three to four diagonally cut carrots and two medium-sized onions to the pot. 

Next, add two cans of beef consommé, or you can substitute it with beef broth. Add one cup of water or dry red wine for better taste. Put two bay leaves into the pot and two tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley to the pot. Bring the mix to a boil and lower down the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for about two hours. 

Remove the pot from heat and discard the bay leaves. Serve hot with rice and sprinkle two tablespoons of fresh parsley on top.

#5 How To Prepare Celery Root Puree

Another great way to incorporate celery root or Celeriac in your meals is to make a creamy and rich celery root puree cooked in milk. 

Take three cups of whole milk and three cups of water in a large, heavy-bottom saucepan and place over high heat, and bring it to a boil. Add a tablespoon of salt to the saucepan. Take two large celery roots, peel, and chop into two-inch cubes and add to the pan

Add one medium potato, peeled and cut into cubes, and a small onion peeled and cut into four pieces. Bring the mix to a boil, lower the heat and let it simmer on medium heat for about thirty minutes or until the vegetables are cooked.

Drain the excess liquid and discard it. Put the cooked vegetables and five tablespoons of butter in the food processor and puree until it reaches a smooth consistency. Add salt and crushed white pepper according to taste. Serve hot with freshly chopped chives. 

You can make it a day ahead and serve the next day by heating it in the microwave.

baked celery root

#6 How To Prepare Celery Root Salad

If you don’t want to have celery root as a main course, you can make this celery root salad which compliments any meat or seafood dishes. This salad is also known as celeriac remoulade and is easy to make. 

Take half cup mayonnaise, two tablespoons Dijon mustard, one tablespoon lemon juice, and two tablespoons chopped parsley in a mixing bowl. Add a pound of celery root, peeled and grated just before adding to the mix. Add half green apple, peeled and julienned, and mix with folding technique. 

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for an hour. Take out and serve it chilled.

Conclusion

Celery root seems like a complicated vegetable and has an earthy taste which many people don’t like, but it is full of vitamins and minerals. Not many people have ideas on how to incorporate it in meals to enjoy it properly. Make sure to try out the above recipes the next time you get your hands on a celery root.

If you liked the recipes mentioned above or if you need any more recipe ideas using the celery root, let me know in the comment section. Do try the recipes and if you find them interesting, consider sharing them with your friends and family.

 

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nimabi

Sunday 26th of November 2023

Thank you very much for sharing, I learned a lot from your article. Very cool. Thanks. nimabi