Roasted Turnips with Hazelnut Goma-ae

With their tender stems and greens, Japanese (Hakurei) turnips start popping up at local farmer’s markets by late spring and are perfect for this recipe—though classic purple-top turnips work just as well. Enjoy this recipe alongside Villa Teresa Prosecco Frizzante Organic or Tierra Rica Sauvignon Blanc.

Ingredients

Serves 4 as a starter or side
1 lb (450 g) turnips (3 to 6 turnips, depending on size), crisp stems and fresh greens attached
2 tbsp (30 ml) miso paste
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) Hakutsuru Sake
Hazelnut Goma-ae Dressing, make ahead, recipe follows
2 tbsp (30 ml) crushed toasted hazelnuts (reserved from Hazelnut Goma-ae Dressing recipe), for garnish
HAZLENUT GOMA-AE DRESSING
⅓ cup (80 ml) hazelnuts
2 tbsp (30 ml) water
2 tbsp (30 ml) grapeseed oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) mirin
1½ tbsp (22.5 ml) rice vinegar
1 tbsp (15 ml) light soy sauce
2 tsp (10 ml) maple syrup or honey

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 F (220 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
  2. Trim tops from turnips, leaving about ½-in (1.25 cm) stem attached. Cut to separate stems from greens and remove any discoloured or wilted bits. Cut turnips into halves or quarters, depending on size, and rinse well to remove any dirt. Drain and pat very dry.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine miso, olive oil and sake and whisk until smooth. Add turnips, toss until well coated and spread onto lined baking sheet. Transfer to oven and cook for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for 5 to 10 minutes more, until lightly caramelized and tender-crisp.
  4. Prepare a bowl of ice water. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil, then add stems and cook for about 15 seconds. Add greens and cook for another 30 seconds, then strain and plunge stems and greens into ice water to cool. Drain well and place stems and greens on a clean tea towel, then roll up and twist ends tightly to remove excess moisture. Remove from towel and roughly chop. Add to a mixing bowl along with ¼ cup (60 ml) Hazelnut Goma-ae Dressing and toss well.
  5. To assemble, spread 2 tbsp (30 ml) dressing onto a serving plate. Arrange roasted turnips overtop and top with dressed stems and greens. Garnish with hazelnuts and serve with remaining dressing on side.
  6. To make Hazelnut Goma-ae Dressing, preheat oven to 350 F (175 C).
  7. Spread hazelnuts on a baking sheet and transfer to oven. Toast until golden brown, about 12 minutes, stirring once in a while. Cool slightly, then transfer to a food processor and pulse until lightly crushed. Remove 2 tbsp (30 ml) crushed hazelnuts from processor and set aside for garnishing roasted turnips.
  8. To remaining hazelnuts, add water, grapeseed oil, mirin, rice vinegar, soy sauce and maple syrup and purée until smooth. Can be stored, covered, in refrigerator for up to 5 days. (Makes about 2/3 cups).
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