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I bought celery root once before (I’m thinking it was for another FFwD recipe)…but cutting into it revealed a nasty, spongy interior. Into the trash it went. This time, I was more selective with my purchase, gently squeezing the bulbous vegetables to find the firmest option. Celeriac is a root veggie, and an ugly one at that, which tastes somewhat like celery and parsley or celery and walnuts, depending on who you ask, and mellows when cooked.
To make this puree, two cubed celery roots, a potato and onion were simmered in a mixture of whole milk and water with a good dose of salt. When the veggies were tender, they were pureed till silky smooth and butter was added for an infusion of richness. Brown butter or pistachio oil can be drizzled over the mash with a sprinkle of chopped chives to dress up the finished dish. I had some white truffle oil…a perfect decadent touch for one of this year’s Christmas sides. I was sick as a dog on Christmas with a wicked head cold…so not sure I can give this a proper review. It tasted quite good despite my loss of smell…and would be an excellent base for short ribs or beef stew. Hope to try some leftovers once the congestion clears.
The recipe can be found on Epicurious or on page 354 of Around My French Table.
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Yum! I really enjoy celery root and think this puree looks very nice! It’s so white and creamy looking.
A sick Christmas is not nice, I hope you´re feeling better now! I just skipped this one, don´t even know what celery root is and it didn´t sound inviting. I love truffle oil, that should´ve made it so much better!
This purée sounds delicious. I’ve never had celery root, but I hear it’s delicious.
I hope you are feeling better! Celery root is delicious!
Sorry you were sick for Christmas! I’ve been sick at the holidays several times and it adds a whole other level of terribleness to having a bad cold. I didn’t even look at this recipe because I knew I wouldn’t make it but the fact that there’s potato and onion in it makes it somewhat more appealing to me. Yours looks beautiful at any rate. Hope you’re feeling better!
Celery root is also good cut into cubes and baked in foil with butter and Italian herbs (or herb of your choice). Celery root is good for you!
I hope you are feeling better by now, Liz. Your puree is gorgeous. I can attest that serving it under beef stew is tasty. Happy New Year!
I have white truffle oil too…wish I thought of putting it on the puree, that might have excited my family. Brilliant idea. Happy New Year.
Happy New Year Lizzy! Sorry to hear that you have been sick – hope that you are feeling better and are fighting fit to celebrate the Mew Year. Glad you liked this puree.
So sorry you were sick. I hope you’re on the mend. This looks a treat! I love celery root raw so much, I never seem to get around to trying it cooked. Must do it soon.
Happy New Year Lizzy;-) I’m sorry to hear you’ve been under the weather-hope your feeling fine by now and celebrate a wonderful New Year’s Eve;-) I have this recipe on my radar, hope to get to it soon;-)
Happy New Year, Liz! I may not have liked this puree, but it’s definitely a pretty dish – and your presentation is absolutely lovely! Hope you’re feeling better for the New Year holiday.
I have never eaten celery root before, your looks yummy though. I hope you are feeling better! Hope you have a Happy New Year.
I’m impressed that you made this even though you were not feeling well. The truffle oil sounds delish! Happy New Year!
Sorry to hear you we’re sick for Christmas! That’s an awful time to be sick. You make the purée look so good, really you’re photos are good!
I served mine with pork roast, and it was perfect! I thought this was quite good and that surprised me!
Sorry you haven’t been feeling well…hope you’re doing better now! Happy New Year, Lizzy!
Sorry you have been under the weather! A nasty cold for Christmas – that just isn’t nice!
Your dish looks good. I agree, I think it would be good with short ribs – but you had me at truffle oil! I have some leftovers, I’ll have to try it! Great idea.
Happy New Year (and hope you get feeling better)!
White truffle oil sounds perfect with this puree!
That celeriac purée looks good , Lizzy ! Best served with anything fried
…. Hope you’ll feel better soon 
I don’t know what celery root s but the puree sure looks yummy! Hope you get well soon, Lizzy!
I hope you feel better, soon! White truffle oil would make an elegant accompaniment for this – it looks beautiful. Happy New Year!
The truffle oil… how fancy… This looks like a very comforting yet decadent dish.
So sorry to hear you were sick on Christmas Day. Hope you feel better. My kids, hubby and I were sick with a stomach flu too. We totally missed our Christmas celebrations with my family and it was a total bummer (especially for the kids). I promised them that Santa was making a special trip down on New Years Eve for all the kids that were sick… so we have to give them a big celebration soon to make up for our sad Christmas. I am sure you will post again… but just in case… I will wish you a wonderful and joyous New Year 2013!
I adore celery root and often have it in the fridge; it’s good raw or cooked. I like the idea of cooking this in milk, I’ll have to give it a try for our Christmas dinner in January. My family Christmas was cancelled as my brother’s two kids came down with the stomach flu.
I hope you are feeling better now Liz. Poor you!
My mum likes to cook with Celery roots, but I havn’t used it that much yet except in pork dishes. I think so I should try to make my own celery root puree sometime soon. thanks for sharing!
Liz, your Celery Puree looks delectable – love the presentation with the fresh chives and the truffle oil – hope that you are feeling much better! And wishing you and your family a very Happy and Healthy 2013!
Although I liked this very much, Liz, I absolutely would not like to try it for the first time if I was sick. With a cold. Yuck. Just not the time to experience a new eating adventure. It sounds as if you were a soldier and made a Christmas meal for your family (while your boys were sleeping and your daughter was at work – I loved that). Your purée looks lovely, all silky and white. Although I used the Immersion Blender (to save me work) and my dish was good, I think I’d like to try the more puréed version like yours next time. You certainly baked up a storm this month and I enjoyed reading (and, trying some) it all. Get better. Put up your feet. Order in Chinese (if the roads are passable) and enjoy the rest of the holidays with your family. May the year ahead be happy and healthy for all of you.
I agree celeriac is ugly but when paired with a bit of potato it’s surprisingly refreshing and light. Your addition of truffle oil I’m sure took this over the top. Nice choice!
Hope you’re feeling better. Sounds like we were both down for the holidays. I had food poisoning so bad that I don’t think I will ever have salad out again. I’m still not back to normal after a week, still barely able to get out of the house for any length of time. Totally wiped out. Hope you’re better now.
I hope you and your family have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
Never had this before. Sounds fantastic!