This Kohlrabi and Blood Orange Salad is a super duper quick recipe that doesn’t need any explanation, so this is going to be one of those blink and you miss it write ups!
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
What is Kohlrabi
I talked about kohlrabi in the last post. It looks like like an alien of sorts, but thankfully, doesn’t smell nor taste like one! Assuming aliens don’t score too well on those fronts, of course. Yes, terribly alienophobic of me, I should be ashamed!
The word literally means turnip cabbage; with kohl being cabbage in German, and rabi is turnip in Swiss German. It is a member of the cabbage family and comes in green and purple (like the red cabbage). Both its bulb and leaves are edible.
It is a pretty common vegetable not only on the European Continent but also in some parts of India, north Vietnam and Cyprus.
What does Kohlrabi taste like?
The bulb itself has a very mild, almost bland flavour. Not as bland as a cabbage, but more like that of the broccoli stem, with a touch of sweetness, and just a hint of spice, like you get in radishes.
You can read more about this funny looking vegetable on the kohlrabi post here, or just click on the image below.
My favourite way of eating kohlrabi is as it is, with little adornment; so it’s perfect in a salad. And today’s salad is very fluid: use whatever oranges you like or can get, and the same goes with the herbs in the salad too.
It is also full of vitamin C, as kohlrabi contains more vitamin C than oranges! So, need a pick me up, feel a cold coming? Get this salad down you!
Kohlrabi and Blood Orange Salad
As you can see, it’s a pretty light salad, the kohlrabi and blood oranges are the 2 main players, everything else is expendable, including the salad dressing.
The oranges, especially if you are using blood oranges, are so zesty and robust, that you really don’t need anything else, apart from maybe a pinch of salt and most definitely some freshly ground black pepper. The oranges complement the subtle kohlrabi so beautifully.
However, if you do need or want a dressing, I’ve given you a very simple vinaigrette here.
That’s it, let me know what you think of this Kohlrabi and Blood Orange Salad, and if you can get kohlrabi. Here in the UK, I am lucky enough to be able to get both at either Waitrose or with Ocado.
Kohlrabi Substitute
You are looking for vegetables that have the same texture and, to some extent, flavour. So, to me, the best kohlrabi substitutes are:
- radishes
- white cabbage
If you like the recipe, don’t forget to leave me a comment and that all important, 5-star rating! Thank you!
And if you make the recipe, share it on any platform and tag me @azlinbloor, and hashtag it #linsfood
Lin xx
Kohlrabi and Blood Orange Salad (or any orange you fancy!)
Ingredients
- 1 kohlrabi
- 3 blood oranges or any other orange
- 20 mint leaves
- 2 sprigs fresh coriander leaves cilantro
- scattering of cress
Dressing
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- pinch of salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Using a vegetable peeler, peel the outer, tough skin of the kohlrabi, then cut into matchstick sizes (julienne). Place in a medium bowl.
- Peel, then slice the oranges into rings. Or slice, then cut off the skin, whatever is easier for you.
- Tear the mint leaves in half and add to the kohlrabi.
- Chop the coriander leaves fairly finely and add to the bowl of kohlrabi and mint leaves.
- Season the kohlrabi mix: with salt and pepper or with all of the salad dressing. Set aside.
- Take two salad plates and line with the orange slices, as in the images.
- Pile the kohlrabi mix onto the oranges and scatter some cress. That’s it, serve!
Great tasting and super healthy after the holidays. What could be better for 2018? Another great recipe from Chefmeister Azlin
Haha, thank you, Sue, I appreciate that.
Loving ur latest creation, Lin. Lipsmackingly scrummie.
Thank you Phil!