I like things hot, as in spicy hot. Four star, bring it on, hot. As you can imagine, I have a fondness for horseradish. This has me pondering about how to make hot horseradish.
How to Make Hot Horseradish
Horseradish not hot? I feel you. I have had dishes where the horseradish was not hot. Perhaps there wasn't enough horseradish sauce or maybe the sauce was old. Whatever the case, there are some tips to making spicy horseradish. Horseradish is a hardy perennial primarily cultivated for its large taproot -- the source of all that delicious heat. When this taproot is grated or crushed, the root cells release pungent oil. You can grow it yourself or purchase it in the produce section of the market. Horseradish needs to be planted in rich, moist, deeply tilled loam or sandy loam soil. It is started by side roots or secondary roots called sets, not by seed. The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 6.8, which will aid the plant in absorbing boron, important to healthy tap roots. Too much nitrogen, however, will encourage foliage growth and little root growth.
Spicy Horseradish Tips
When purchasing horseradish, look for firm, unblemished roots. When cut, the root should be creamy white. The root can be stored for several months between 32-38 degrees F. (0-3 C.), but for the hottest horseradish sauce, use it as soon as possible. The heat begins to fade the longer it is stored. Similarly, if you have horseradish sauce or cream that isn't hot, the likely reason is that it has been sitting around for too long or it was made incorrectly. The sauce itself should be creamy white and will darken and lose potency as it ages. To prepare your own horseradish, work either outside or in a well-ventilated room. Peel the roots and either slice or grate them. Sliced root can be ground in a food processor, blender, or meat grinder with a small amount of water. You can grate horseradish either by hand or with the processor's grating blade with a bit of water. If it's too runny, drain some water off; or too thick, add a bit more. Be careful. The fumes from the root can be potent! Fresh crushed horseradish is at its strongest but once it is exposed to air, the pungency begins to wane. The key to making horseradish hot, and I mean HOT, people, is to finish it off with the next ingredient -- vinegar. Vinegar stabilizes the flavor and when you add it, will affect the spicy outcome. If you add the vinegar too soon, the horseradish will be milder in flavor. For “knock your socks off” spicy, be sure to wait three minutes before adding 2 to 3 tablespoons (30-44 ml.) of (5% strength) white distilled vinegar and ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml.) salt for each cup of grated root. So, to achieve the hottest horseradish, use the freshest root possible and be patient; wait three minutes before adding the vinegar and salt. Also, once your horseradish is complete, proper storage is crucial to maintain that heat. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for four to six weeks or in the freezer for six months or even longer.
-
Grow a Bathroom Oasis: 8 Best Bathroom Plants With No Light or Low LightSome apartment dwellers grow the best bathroom plants with no light or low light. Read how one of our favorite plant lovers does it in the big city.
-
"My Worst Mistake" – Gardeners Share 10 Hard-Learned LessonsGardeners never stop learning, and sometimes our mistakes are the best teachers. But why not save time and heartache by learning from other gardeners' failures?
-
Propagation Of Horseradish: How To Divide A Horseradish PlantDividing horseradish plants becomes a necessity, as they can become invasive. The following article contains information on how to divide a horseradish plant and other useful information on horseradish root division.
-
Horseradish Plant Companions: What Grows Well With Horseradish PlantsFresh horseradish is absolutely delicious and the good news is it's easy to grow your own. It is also healthy so companion plants for horseradish might get a huge benefit. Find out about companion planting with horseradish in this article.
-
Horseradish Harvesting – When And How To Harvest Horseradish RootHarvesting horseradish plants is a simple task and the resulting condiment can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks. Find out how and when to harvest horseradish root in the garden by clicking this article for more information.
-
Horseradish Plant Has Flowers – Should You Cut Horseradish FlowersLike its cousins, broccoli and radish, the horseradish plant has flowers. The question is, are horseradish flowers edible? If not, should you cut horseradish flowers? The following article will try and answer these questions. Click here to learn more.
-
Horseradish Care In Pots: How To Grow Horseradish In A ContainerIf you have ever grown horseradish, then you are only too well aware that it can become quite invasive. The solution, of course, would be container-grown horseradish. Look at this article to find out how to grow horseradish in a container.
-
How To Control Horseradish Plants – Eliminating Horseradish From The GardenHorseradish is prolific. Once it’s started, it will grow almost anywhere. Growing horseradish as an herb is easy, but it can become invasive and turn into an unwanted guest. If you’re wondering how to kill horseradish, click this article for help.
-
Growing Horseradish: How To Grow HorseradishOnly people who have grown horseradish in their garden know how truly pungent and delicious horseradish can be. Growing horseradish in your garden is easy. Just follow the tips found in this article.
