Monday, April 30, 2012

A Spicy Challenge

I’ve got a special post today, as it’s my first post as part of the 5 Star Foodie Makeover group!  I joined just in time for their May Event – Restaurant Wars.


For this event, the group got divided into teams of three.  Each team was responsible for choosing the theme or main ingredient for their restaurant.  Then each member produces an appetizer, main course or dessert. The first challenge was to decide on a main ingredient with my teammates Faith and Evelyne.  We wanted something a little different…  something challenging…  a vegetable none of us like?  Indeed, we’re trying to come around to this root vegetable ourselves :) 


Image source (with instructions)


Radishes are members of the mustard family Brassicaceae, along the likes of broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts.  The flesh of radishes is crisp with a peppery flavor.  Some of the more common varieties of radishes include red globe, black, breakfast and daikon. A favorite of any gardener, radishes are easy to grow and their rapid germination means that radishes will be one of your first harvests!  Radishes are a good source of fiber, vitamin B6, riboflavin, magnesium, copper, calcium, potassium, folate and vitamin C.


Image source
When buying radishes, choose ones that are firm, unblemished and brightly colored.  It is also good to make sure that the attached greens are nice and healthy as well.  If you aren’t using them right away, cut away the greens and pop the radishes into a jar and cover with water.  They’ll stay nice and crisp in the fridge until you’re ready to use them.

While they’re most often enjoyed raw or pickled, we thought radishes would be a worthy challenge for Restaurant Wars, where they are going to take center stage through a three course meal.  To make things even more interesting, citrus and vanilla will be incorporated into each dish.  Go ahead, have a taste!




Click to enlarge

16 comments:

Lori Lynn said...

The menu sounds fabulous. You picked a very photogenic subject.
Let the Challenge begin!!
LL

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

LOL I most chose the wreath pic too. So looking forward to our challenge!

Lazaro Cooks said...

I need a table at this restaurant. Great job. Love to see the team effort.

FOODalogue said...

It's a great menu! Can't wait to come to your 'restaurant'.

Magic of Spice said...

Love the menu...sounds fun :)

Cotter Crunch said...

this is a cool series! I know you'll get clever in the kitchen with those radishes. although the wreath is already cool. haha

Jessica said...

I can't wait to see your team's creation! Radishes are beautiful and I can already imagine how gorgeous and tasty your dishes are going to be just from your menu!

http://platanosmangoes.com said...

As said before..can't wait!

Erica said...

What a fun idea!!

Kristen said...

i must say, i thoroughly enjoyed this mini lesson on radishes. i love learning the deets about different ingredients, vegetables, etc. The menu sounds amazing!

Colleen @ Culinary Colleen said...

This looks so much fun!

Joanne said...

I LOVE this concept and food sounds amazing! Radishes are one of the few veggies I really just can't seem to love...but maybe with your menu I could!

Emily @ A Cambridge Story said...

I'm with you on the radish thing -- although they look beautiful in that wreath!

Elizabeth said...

I love the menu. I've come to really like radishes over the past few years. Thinly sliced on brown bread with butter and salt, deeelish.

Kelly said...

It's fun to see the concepts that have been teased already since they are all so different! And welcome to the group.

Kerstin said...

Radishes are such an interesting (and challenging!) ingredient to pick! Can't wait to see you post about your yummy app :)

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