Recipe review of Review of Eating Well's Kohlrabi and Ham Gratin.
I was SO excited about this recipe. First of all, I LOVE kohlrabi. Second of all I LOVE Eating Well Magazine. I mean, how could I go wrong? It got 4.3 stars out of 5 on the site.
I diligently cleaned and peeled my beautiful purple kohlrabi (the inside is white so the casserole wasn't purple) and reserved the leaves; then I sliced them with a mandolin. I couldn't stop eating them they were so fresh and crunchy but I somehow stopped myself.
The next day I steamed them in my Dutch oven with a steamer basket. Even steamed, they were SO delicious. A little softer and a bit like broccoli. I made up the sauce and carefully layered the kohlrabi with a bit of garlic powder as it seemed a bit lacking that there was no seasoning called for on the veggies. I poured the sauce over and added some turkey rather than ham and placed it in the fridge for the next night.
Kohlrabi
I was SO excited about it all day.
The third night I topped it with breadcrumb and then baked it for what ended up being 45 minutes.
When the 45 minutes was up I took this, golden casserole out of the oven.
With a big metal spoon I began serving the portions noticing that, for some reason, the kohlrabi was a bit tougher than the day before; and the bottom very liquidy.
Just in case, I put some more cheese on top.
I took one bite and looked at Chris.
"What do you think?"
I got the look.
"Ok so it's not that great."
I was SO disappointed. It was bland and tough and smelled like cabbage (kohlrabi IS a type of cabbage after all but when raw tastes, to me, like a mild broccoli). This was one of the first times I actually would not eat leftovers. It was almost inedible.
Where could I have gone wrong? I read and re-read the recipe and I did everything right. The only changes I made were the turkey, some extra cheese on top and the bit of garlic powder on the veggies.
I hate to say it, but this is one recipe I would not suggest if you want to try kohlrabi. It's such a fabulous vegetable that I was heartbroken.
Has that ever happened to you?
6 comments:
I hate when I follow a recipe that is highly rated (with only minor altering), and it doesn't come out well. It even worse when I've used lots of favorite ingredients in it! I've actually had this happen a few times lately to me :(
Oh I absolutely hate when this happens, I'm sorry Dawn :-/ there really is nothing more disappointing when it comes to food. Like Tasha I have actually had this happen to me more times than usual too. I think it may be because I am trying to cook outside my comfort zone. I am glad you blogged about it though because the dish still looks pretty! I hope your next meal turns out better and makes you happier (after all that is what cooking should do!)
I'm sure the next one will. My hubby asked if I was going to still do the post and I said yes. Since it is a recipe review I think it's only right to post the good and the not-so-good so that way when I say something is good you know it is REALLY good!
I hate it when I waste good ingredients and my time for less than stellar results! It doesn't happen to be often but yes, once in a while a recipe is tossed here!
Dawn, that's really disappointing, it has happened to me before and I know how you feel about it. Usually, we can finish the dish but once in a while it's not even edible.
Ugh that is so frustrating! I only cooked with kohlrabi once. I loved the leaves but wasn't a fan of the white part. I hate when you are so excited about a recipe and its only okkk... here was what I did:
http://foodtorunfor.blogspot.com/2010/07/csa-week-2-3.html
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