How to make a potato from a turnip

[vJosie]

There are a few tips I've picked up and thought I'd share while they are on the stove right now. First, peel it with a knife and get past the light layer. You'll see two layers as you peel and it's the thin light layer right under the skin that tastes bitter. Secondly, boil it in broth. We dice them and boil them in boullion or leftover broth.

They honestly do end up tasting like potatoes. In fact, my husband (who doesn't follow Atkins but supports me completely) has said he prefers the turnips over potatoes because of the consisitency in the way they cook. Potatoes can sometimes come out grainy or fall apart.

[jcapulet]

Originally Posted by vJosie

There are a few tips I've picked up and thought I'd share while they are on the stove right now. First, peel it with a knife and get past the light layer. You'll see two layers as you peel and it's the thin light layer right under the skin that tastes bitter. Secondly, boil it in broth. We dice them and boil them in boullion or leftover broth.

They honestly do end up tasting like potatoes. In fact, my husband (who doesn't follow Atkins but supports me completely) has said he prefers the turnips over potatoes because of the consisitency in the way they cook. Potatoes can sometimes come out grainy or fall apart.

Thanks for sharing that Josie! I really want to try it out!

[ValidRouge]

I didn't like the turnips the first time I had them, but I'm willing to give another try and use your tips here! Thanks.

[ttdriver]

I LOVE TURNIPS AS SUBSTITUTES FOR POTATOES!

I slice and fry them, cook them as "hashbrowns" with onions and peppers, mash them with cream cheese, bacon grease, cheese and heavy cream (YUM), and scallop them (again with heavy cream, butter, cheese, S&P) ... Our family LOVES them!

PS .. sometimes I add a tsp of Splenda to them which nixes the bitter taste!

Betty

[Sheshy]

I love turnips too...great tips vJosie!

[Weighless]

Great tips vJosie! I love them scalloped or roasted like a potato with a pot roast.

[jcapulet]

Grrr, I went to Safeway downstairs and they didn't have any turnips! I really wanted to try the mashed "potatoes" tonight.

At least, I picked up some Bacon bits and Mixed Up Krazy Salt for other things.

[changing]

Josie, do you usually boil them in chicken or beef broth? Just curious... thinking about giving this a go and making some loaded mashed turnips out of them.

[vJosie]

yes, I boil them in the broth. I haven't actually tried mashing them as a dish, but my husband mashes them on his plate to eat with his pot roast and loves it. Please let us know how it turns out. I know that when I've mashed cauliflower, I always used a dash of thick-n-thin to give it that starchy feel and make it all hold together instead of watering at the bottom.

[changing]

So I made the loaded mashed turnips. One grocery store that I go to offers $1.00 packages of 1 pound of turnips pre-sliced into 1-2 inch cubes. I bought one pack and cut the chunks into halves. I took a can of chicken broth (yes, I was truly lazy) and dumped it in my pot, added the turnips and heated it on high until it boiled. Then I turned the heat to medium and put a lid on the pot, boiling it for about 20 minutes. The lid I had didn't quite fit the pot, so the liquid did go down, and by the end of the cooking process, there was almost no liquid in the pot at all.

I mashed the turnips and mixed them with sour cream and butter. Then I sprinkled some crispy bacon I"d cooked and shredded cheddar and put it in the microwave enough for the cheese to melt. I added salt and pepper and ate them as a side with a rare steak.

And okay, I have to say this. THEY WERE FREAKING AMAZING! I like them BETTER than potatoes... the taste is a tiny bit sweet and a lot savory, and I loved the golden color. They were not bitter at all. I was totally astounded.