Avocado with Horseradish Cream

Yum...I have an obsession with avocado, so I am willing to give this recipe a try!

Avocado with Horseradish Cream

Ingredients:
*fresh horseradish root (approx. 6 inches long) (preserved horseradish in vinegar can be substituted, if so, leave out the lemon juice)
*1 tbsp. butter
*3 tbsp. fresh breadcrumbs
*1 apple
*2 tsp. yogurt
*1 tsp. lemon juice
*pinch of salt and sugar
*1 tsp. chopped fresh chervil
*1/2 tsp. each of fresh chopped tarragon and dill
*3-4 tbsp. heavy whipping cream
*2 ripe avocados cut in half, pits removed

Directions:
1) Peel and grate the horseradish.
2) Melt the butter and add the breadcrumbs. Fry until brown, and add the grated horseradish. Remove from heat and grate the apple into the mixture.
3) Add yogurt, lemon juice, salt, sugar, and herbs. Put aside to cool. Then chill in the refrigerator.
4) Just before serving, gently fold the cream into the mixture and spoon into the avocado halves. Serve with green salad and brown toast. Enjoy!

Recipe found in: Jekka McVicar, The Complete Herb Book, pg. 43.

For additional information, see: references and warnings

Horseradish

Name:
*Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)


Description:
*hardy perennial
*zones 3 and up
*this is an invasive plant, so only plant it if you really want it

Parts Used:
*root and leaves

Position:
*sunny position is best, but it tolerates shade
*it prefers a well-dug soil that is enriched with compost, but it is tolerant of all but the driest of soils
*prepare the soil the fall season before planting with moist soil and compost

Propagation:
*I have read many opposing descriptions of this. I will put them all here for now, and when I move next year and plant it myself, I will edit this post and add what worked best for me...
*in the spring, plant roots horizontally
*OR*
*in the spring, plant roots vertically
*OR*
*in the spring, plant roots at a 30 degree angle from the horizontal
*in addition, you can propagate by dividing established clumps in the spring

Maintenance:
*it is an invasive plant, so you must watch it carefully and keep it in its' place
*do not let horseradish dry out or the roots will become bitter
*leaf-eating insects can be a problem for this plant

Harvesting:
*dig up roots and use them fresh at any time in the second and/or third year
*the best flavor is after the first frost
*store clean roots in sealed plastic bags in the fridge for up to 2 months or store them in sand in a dark, cool place
*it has a milder taste in the spring
*the leaves can be dried

Medicinal:
*parts used medicinally: roots
*it has antibiotic qualities that help protect the intestinal tract
*it acts as a nasal, sinus, and bronchial decongestant
*it is used to treat urinary tract infections
*it is often taken internally for gout and rheumatism
*it contains excellent dosages of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are good for the body
*you can make it into a poultice for stiff muscles and rheumatic joints
*do not use if your thyroid function is low

Cooking:
*the young leaves can be eaten as a vegetable
*the root is the most often part used for cooking
*peel and grate the roots as needed: it loses some flavor soon after it is grated and when it is heated, so peel/grate only what is needed at that particular time
*alternatively, grate the whole root and add 1/2 cup of white wine vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to each cup of pulp. Store it covered in the fridge until needed

Companion Planting:
*when grown near potatoes, it is possible that it improves its' disease resistance, but be careful that it does not take over the potatoes' area

Misc:
*Chop the root finely and add it to dog food to dispel worms and improve the dog's body tone
*Slice the root and infuse in a pan of milk to make a lotion for clear skin

For more information, see: references and warnings