Radishes Poached in Chicken Stock and Butter

I first came across this lovely recipe in France many years ago. It is unusual in that it calls for radishes to be cooked. I find this somewhat surprising, but once a little heat has been applied to them their flavor is truly delicious—nutty and elegant, retaining only a hint of their peppery nature. I love the way their vibrant red color fades away during cooking too, until the radishes are the palest, most beautiful pink. A stylish accompaniment to roast chicken or poached white fish.

• 2 bunches of breakfast radishes

• 14 Tbsp [200 ml] chicken stock

• 4 1/2 Tbsp [60 g] unsalted butter

• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

Remove the stalks from the radishes and wash thoroughly in cold water. Shake dry and place in a heavy-based medium pan that is large enough to comfortably hold the radishes and their cooking liquid.

Pour over the chicken stock and add the butter (don’t worry if the liquid doesn’t completely cover the radishes). Add a small pinch of salt and place over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook until the radishes are almost tender, tossing them once or twice to coat in the cooking liquor; this should take no more than 8 minutes.

When the radishes are almost tender, turn up the heat slightly to reduce the liquor down until there is just enough to coat the radishes in a pale, glossy glaze. Spoon the radishes into a warm bowl, add a sprinkling of salt and a generous grinding of pepper and serve.