Czech Republic Comfort Food Recipe: Horseradish Sauce

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) shares membership in the Brassicaceae family with broccoli, cabbage, and mustard. Possibly native to southeastern Europe and western Asia, horseradish has garnered massive admiration for its pungent contributions to cuisines worldwide.

Along with its culinary attributes, horseradish encourages well-being. In its universal incarnation as prepared horseradish, the root vegetable contains such important nutrients in one tablespoon as:

• calcium, a bone and teeth builder, close to 1 percent of the recommended daily amount (RDA);
• folate, a healthy cell grower and maintainer, at over 2 percent RDA;
• potassium, a blood pressure regulator, at about 1 percent RDA;
• vitamin C, a free radical-busting antioxidant, at 6 percent RDA.

Additionally, horseradish is a rich source of glucosinolates, tumor-busting compounds which oppose the growth of existing tumors and prevent the formation of new tumors.

• Glucosinolates reduce cancer risk by eliminating free radicals.

Ingredients for 15 servings

Yields 15+ servings with portion size of 2 Tablespoons.

May be served hot immediately or reserved in refrigerator for cold serving.

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup milk

2 cups cream

salt to taste

white pepper to taste

3 Tablespoons chopped blanched almonds

1/4 cup grated horseradish

fresh dill (for garnish)

1. In a small bowl, blend flour into milk. Set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, bring cream to a boil over medium heat.

3. Reduce to low heat and add milk-flour blend to cream, stirring constantly.

• Simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir regularly.
• Sprinkle seasonings (salt, white pepper). Fold in chopped almonds and grated horseradish.
• Simmer for about 5 more minutes, stirring regularly.

4. Remove from heat.

• Ladle into serving tureen if serving hot.
• If serving cold, set in refrigerator for one hour or more.

Sprinkle individual servings with fresh dill.

Servings: 16+ servings at 2 Tablespoons per serving.

• My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet. 

Hovězí maso, křenová omáčka, houskový knedlík: Dezidor, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hovězí_maso,_křenová_omáčka,_houskový_knedlík.jpg

distinctively horseradish: Anna reg, CC BY SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kren_Verkauf.jpg