Do you remember when you were a kid and people would always tell you that you’ll understand and appreciate your parents much more when you’re older? Well people (including my own parents) always told me that and I really hated hearing it. It was during a time in my life when my adolescent self thought I knew everything there was to know in the world and my mom was my mortal enemy. I was convinced it was her sole purpose in life to ruin mine. I mean how dare she “force” me to do after school activities and “force” me to go to Korean language class every SATURDAY morning….didn’t she know I had a very important (13 year old’s) social life?! Ugh, if I didn’t like doing something why wouldn’t she just let me quit after a day? Really mom, no sleepovers unless it’s a special occasion? WHO ARE YOU?!
It’s a funny thing, this growing up business. I graduated high school thinking I can’t WAIT to get away from here (and HER); then I got to college, my mom helped me settle into my dorm, flew home, and I was forced to be somewhat independent. Suddenly all I wanted to do was see my mom, talk to her, get her advice. Once I had settled into college life it’s like all of that “understanding and appreciation” talk came true. I started thanking my lucky stars that I had a mom who always encouraged me to try new things…ice skating? Sure! basketball? Yes, honey! Clay sculpting class? Of course! As long as my sister and I were being productive, she was all for it. How cool. Even today, I kick myself and hate that I didn’t pay better attention during Korean school and that my Korean speaking and understanding abilities are sadly nowhere near where they should be.
Today, I don’t think I can get through the week without daily phone chats with mom about how her grand-pup is doing, the ups and downs of my freelancing work schedule, the latest family gossip, and of course a discussion about her current golf swing status. Never did I think in a million years that my mom would be someone I respect most in the world and one of my best friends (not in the creepy, she’s trying to act too young for her age type of way either). :) She’s such a big part of my overall support system and I love her everyday for it.
My mom’s a bit of a health nut and she loves vegetables and simples flavors, so today I have a dish dedicated to my mama. Simple roasted radishes. Easy, fresh, clean flavors. If you’ve never roasted or cooked with radishes, imagine something similar to a turnip. It’s pretty mild and once roasted the slight bitter taste goes away and produces a subtle sweetness. I hope everyone has a great Mother’s Day this weekend celebrating all the amazing mama’s out there! Enjoy! xx, Jenny
More vegetable recipes you might like:
Roasted Radishes
INGREDIENTS
- 2 bunches radishes, cleaned, trimmed and cut in half lengthwise
- 2 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ lemon, juiced
- salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Place all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and toss together. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread radishes onto a baking sheet and roast for 20 to 25 minutes or until radishes have crisped and browned around the edges and have become almost fork tender.
- Lightly adjust seasonings and finish with lemon zest, if desired. Serve.
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I really enjoyed the baked radishes that Britney served at her home. I couldn’t believe they tasted so different.
That is SUCH a sweet tribute to your omma! I too have experienced the same tendency to loathe and then realize that it’s really love. My (Korean) mother lives very very very far away from me, but we connect over skype regularly and she is SO SO excited about me trying my green fingers at small scale gardening since that is her passion. It beautiful to be able to share that with one’s mom. Thanks!
I made this to go with steak this evening, it was sensational, and added so much colour! I never thought of roasting radishes, wonderful, thank you!
I never thought that radish can be roasted. Thanks for sharing. XOXO
Thanks so much for this idea! I have tons of radishes in my garden and I just couldn’t think of what to do with all of them at harvest time. Love it!
I’ve wanted to roast radishes FUREEEVER and now you’ve given me new purpose in life!
yummy and pretty… perfect for the last few weeks of spring!
I’m going to walk right into my kitchen & make these right now. I’m serious! The photos are beautiful, too. I was going to roast some butternut squash, so I will add some radishes to the mix. Thanks for the inspiration!
As always, you have delivered an inspiring and heartfelt post which is so appropriate for Mother’s Day! Every year I grow radishes in my garden, but have never thought to roast them. I can’t wait to try this!
I love the story about your mom and your radishes look so delicious! I’ve never thought of roasting radishes before, but I really want to give it a go now!
Beautiful radishes. The ones I used for a recent fattoush salad were a slightly more oblong with a pronounced pink-white gradient. I love the variations!
So much truth in this post! My Mom was always incredibly compromising when it came to my hobbies and choices, but one thing she never budged on was classical piano lessons—I kicked and screamed back then, but now I don’t regret a single second of it now!
Libby, maybe your oven is too hot, and you are not basting or turning them enough? Just a guess.
These radishes look gorgeous. I’ve never eaten a cooked radish, ever. I have to try now. Do you eat the green stalk too?
I have a problem with roasting. I feel like I can’t get it quite right. No matter what I do, the edges are burned, the insides are mushy and (my main complaint), I can never get that lovely golden brown color. Not with potatoes, radishes, onion hunks, nothing. Does it sound to you like there’s something obvious that I’m doing wrong here?
It may be your oven temperature is off. Get an oven thermometer and check it. I had this same problem and found out my oven runs 50 degrees too high ;)
So sweet- my tribute to my mom would be her potato leek soup! I love your writing and recipes.
BE
I absolutely love roasted radishes! Thanks for showing other people there are other ways to prepare them! Yum! I make this radish dip that is to die for, check it out! http://tahnycooks.com/?p=110
This is story about why we love our mam’s :) GREAT! And the radishes… I never try to do like this! Save & Must make!
Very cool story and I don’t think I’ve ever seen roasted radish, awesome!
Great post about your Mom! How fortunate you realize the gift you have in her. The photos here are gorgeous and the sharpness of them is amazing! Great blog. Will have to try this simple technique you gave us for the radish.
These are beautiful!!
Great recipe! I’ve only eaten radishes raw, so I will have to try this sometime! Thanks for posting!
Roasted radishes, hooray! Isn’t it weird how no one thinks to cook them? But they’re so, so good when nice and caramelized around the edges. :)
Ha this is too funny because my mom LOVED to eat radishes raw and I always thought she was crazy! Actually, I still think raw radishes are gross :) But I agree with you on the looking back and being like WHY did you let me quit piano lessons?!?! WHY?!????
Yum, I love roasting radishes too – they are the best. I cook mine at 450 though (http://www.myfoodandotherstuff.com/2012/10/roasted-radish-salad.html). Also you can add radish greens back into the salad as well.
I love this, and it’s so so true!
This is a lovely tribute to your mom, and that shot of the radishes on the baking sheet is killer!