Celery Root, it's a hoot! (AIP, Paleo, V, GF)
You guys ever watch Chopped? Anyone? Top Chef? No?... I do! They're my, "I just got back from work and I need to shut my brain off and just look at some kitchen art" shows.
So, in a quick little blurp for those of you who have never seen them, often the contestants get a basket of super random ingredients and have to come up with a delicious dish incorporating all of them in under 30 mins.
One of the many reasons I love Fresh City Farms, the organic delivery system I use (no affiliation), is because sometimes they throw in super random seasonal ingredients that I would never grab from the grocery store on my own. It acts like my mystery basket and I have to figure out what to do with some random stuff!
This week's strange mystery basket ingredient: Celery Root!
I had never used celery root before. I didn't even really know it was a thing that you could eat.
So, I cut the strange thing open and smelled it. Smells like celery! I thought about just cutting it into sticks and eating it like celery - which you definitely can do - but I also easy Fresh City's write-up about it saying that its fun to roast up and treat like a potato! Sooooo, I figured if you can treat it like a potato, why not turn it into a mash? Or better yet... a puree! Horray!
Seriously guys, I don't even know what I'm doing. I encourage you to experiment in the kitchen too! Sometimes it will be a disgusting mess, but sometimes it will turn out like this!!!
Here's what I cam up with:
INGREDIENTS
2 celery roots, peeled and chopped into cubes
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 can coconut milk
2/3 water
3 cloves garlic, chopped
salt & pepper to taste
cayenne (for sprinkling if desired)
DIRECTIONS
1) Heat coconut oil in pot on medium heat and sautée garlic until fragrant
2) Add the celery root, coconut milk, water, salt & pepper
3) Bring liquid to boil and then reduce heat, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.
4) Transfer ingredients to a high powered blender and puree until its just how you like it.
5) Pour into bowl and sprinkle with cayenne for a bit of fire and top with whatever else you desire (I added some roasted beets and pumpkin seeds as pictured but let your food freak flag fly on this one!)
Its a creamy coconutty refreshing puree, the perfect host for any flavourful topping you like!
If you make this recipe, don’t forget to take a pic and tag me on instagram @realistic.holistic and use #realisticholistic - show me how you’re incorporating real health into your real life!