Back to the roots #1– Festive recipes: The Mixed Root Roast with Dukkah

Posted on December 13, 2015 Updated on April 16, 2016

I am getting ready for Christmas, are you? Personally I don’t want to worry about getting the exact quantity of specific root vegetable for my Christmas dinner right – I rather like using what I have. So here is a recipe which is adaptable to any root vegetable at your disposal for your Christmas dinner. It is a moreish alternative to roast veggies you might have previously served at Christmas. And if you have already ordered a vegetable festive box from Riverside Market Garden you should have exactly what you need to make this dish which will complement your turkey, goose, pork or other roast of choice beautifully. I strongly recommend using a sprinkle of the delicious dukkah condiment, the recipe of which you can also find on Lia’s Kitchen website here.

Ingredients (feed 4-6 as part of a Christmas or other roast dinner)

• 600g mixed root vegetable, coarsely chopped (use equal amounts of e.g. parsnip, carrot and Jerusalem artichokes or celeriac and or 200g of each)
• 3 leeks, coarsely chopped
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp ajwain/carom seeds or dried oregano (optional)
• 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds
• 1 tsp salt
• Olive oil
• 2 Tbsp Dukkah mixture (optional- see recipe here https://liaskitchen.com/2015/12/12/the-wonderful-dukkah-condiment/)

 Preparation

1. Peel or wash the root vegetable well with a brush and coarsely chop it together with leek.
2. If using celeriac and Jerusalem artichokes place these in a bowl of acidulated water to avoid them turning brown, i.e. water with some lemon juice or vinegar.
3. In a baking tray pour enough olive oil to line its wide base.
4. Stir fry the vegetable and leek for 5 minutes after adding the salt and thyme.
5. Add the sesame, adjwein or oregano (optional) and stir to make sure all veg is coated well in the oil.
6. Roast for 40 minutes in a medium oven (180 centigrade) until the veg is cooked enough to pierce with a fork but does not fall apart.
7. Sprinkle with the Dukkah mixture generously once you have removed from the oven. If you do not want to add the Dukkah season to taste adding a couple of pinches of salt.