Saturday, May 19, 2007

D is for Daikon and Potato Cakes

The satisfaction I felt having tracked down the Daikon is wearing off. Chopping off a section for the Miso Soup doesn't seem to have reduced its size. I suspect it may have the power to grow back overnight. There is a kind of gloom hanging over its corner of my kitchen and even Freddie seems a little too scared to pick it up and clonk his sister on the head. Having googled "Daikon" I think I know why. I have found websites in Japan selling soft plush cuddly Daikons. They come in various sizes and sport a variety of expressions. There is even the celebrated Dokonjo Daikon that captivated the nation's attention when it grew through tarmac and featured on the nightly news. The toy sales-spiel reads, " Yay! Daikon are here! These tranquil Mother radishes are for cuddling, not cooking, in case you were confused. This Daikon Mother sits on a blue pillow and wields a chibi Daikon!"
I'm not confused, I'm frightened. Tranquil mother radishes are not to be messed with. Which is why it is imperative that I despatch our daikon promptly. You know the film, "The hand that rocks the cradle"? Well, I don't trust this vegetable in my home.
I hacked off what I hope is a life-threatening amount of Daikon this evening and boiled it, half and half with potato. I fried a cup full of lardons and finely chopped spring onions and stirred it with the salted mashed Daikon/Potato. I added an egg to bind it all together and having let the mixture chill in the fridge, shaped it into cakes and dusted it with flour before frying it in a lightly-greased pan on a medium heat. I turned it over till it was golden on both sides. To make sure the Daikon was truly dead, I cooked the cakes in the oven for 20 minutes.
 

We had the last laugh - Freddie and Alex thought the daikon cakes were delicious and scored them 8 out of 10. Only half a Daikon left to eat...
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12 comments:

  1. Hi Charlotte!

    I found this recipe yesterday - I don't know how well it will go with Freddie and Alex, but I thought it looked good.
    http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/3676/japanese+style+beef+daikon+cucumber+salad

    I find most kids like soy dressings, because they are fairly sweet and salty at the same time.
    Good luck!

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  2. Anonymous10:01 AM

    Thank you Kazari-Lu.
    Where in the world are you based?
    GBVC

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  3. If that was good, why not try something rosti-ish? I don't think I'm going to be buying any daikon any time soon!

    Joanna
    joannasfood.blogspot.com

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  4. Anonymous10:57 AM

    The daikon potato cakes look delicious. Your recipes are just fabulous. An inspiration to one and all.
    Sara from farmingfriends

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  5. Hi,
    Good Post!

    Begone evil Daikon and never return!

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  6. I lived in Japan for a while and was often served a beautifully delicate daikon salad. The radish was julienned and lightly coated in a simple rice wine and sesame oil dressing.
    Tried it at home recently and after an enormous amount of work thinly slicing the daikon I was left with a Mount-Everest-sized salad. Very off-putting!
    Perhaps this is why I was only served daikon salad in restaurants and never served in a Japanese person's home?

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  7. They sound tasty though the daikon do seem a little scary.. cuddly daikon?

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  8. Wow you are pretty serious about Veggies. Do herbs count ? Like say Dill ?

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  9. I'm in Canberra, which is the capital of Australia (even if everybody thinks it's Sydney).
    We are lucky to have access to great farmers markets, but I've never been brave enough to try daikon!
    You nearly inspired me to buy chicory today though : )

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  10. Anonymous7:14 AM

    Kazari-Lu.
    Buy Chicory - you wont be disappointed. I never had before this challenge and there is no going back...
    Daikon I would say, give it a miss.
    GBVC

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  11. Anonymous10:22 PM

    Hi GBVC,
    I tried this recipe on Saturday substituting Daikon for radish.Only because I didn't have daikon! It was lovely so thank you very much.
    Sara from farmingfriends

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  12. Anonymous5:37 PM

    Hi - I must've completely missed this daikon! The best ever recipe is chinese beef and turnip (daikon stew). Its great, a real favourite of mine. Tender beef and daikon cooked in an amazing star anise gravy... if you happen to be brave enough to buy another, get on the BBC board and search for mooli - Sunflower has a cracking recipe.

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