Czech Republic Comfort Food: Recipe for Radishy Cream Cheese Spread

by DerdriuMarriner

Cheese spreads for breads and rolls are popular in the Czech Republic. A comforting, refreshing spread is Pomazánka z ředkviček a sýra, made with cream cheese and radishes.

Bread is basic to the cuisine of the Czech Republic, a landlocked, historically cultured country in Central Europe that nowadays is ringed by Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Poland.

In Czech cuisine, toppings, such as cheese spreads, are popular adornments for bread.

My family’s recipe for Radishy Cream Cheese Spread (Pomazánka z ředkviček a sýra) also performs well as a dip for vegetables.

Radish slices make an attractive, appetizing spread.

radish cheese spread on country bread
radish cheese spread on country bread

Radishes: deliciously healthy

 

Radishes pack powerful nutritional punches within their miniature frames.

  • Protecting vision and boosting the immune system number among benefits provided in radishes by such phytochemical flavonoids as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
  • A group of compounds called isothiocyanates is effective against certain cancers.

One-half cup serving of radishes -- equivalent to six thinly sliced radishes -- contains only 9 calories and 2 grams of carbs and supplies:

  • 14 percent of the recommended daily amount (RDA) for super-vitamin C, and
  • 4 percent of the RDA for fiber.

 

Czech cuisine has long appreciated the stellar attributes of radishes as attractive, delicious, and healthy root vegetables with versatility for cooked and raw consumption.

  • Radishy Cream Cheese Spread (Pomazánka z ředkviček a sýra) testifies to the red globes' success as raw ingredients.

 

Recipe for Radishy Cream Cheese Spread (Pomazánka z ředkviček a sýra)

Prep time: 5 minutes -- Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients for 15 servings

Serving size of 2 Tablespoons yields 15+ servings.

Ingredients

 

4 ounces (1 stick) butter, softened

8 ounces (1 package) cream cheese, softened

  • preference: 1 tub (8 ounces) Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spread, Honey Nut Flavor or Garden Vegetable Flavor

1/4 teaspoon celery salt

1/4 cup finely chopped chives or scallions (green onions)

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

12 radishes to make 1 cup finely sliced or shredded radishes

 

Preparation

 

In medium mixing bowl, cream butter and cream cheese.

  • Sprinkle seasonings (celery salt, chives/scallions, paprika, white pepper) and fold gently into mixture.
  • Add radishes and mix well.

 

May be served immediately.

  • Or, to allow flavors to blend fully, cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1-2 hours.

 

Yield: Makes about 2 cups.

 

Accompaniments: Go-withs for Radishy Cream Cheese Spread

 

Traditionally Pomazánka z ředkviček a sýra is served with dark breads, such as rye. Nevertheless, as an adaptable comfort food, this spread goes well with all breads and rolls, as well as with bagels and crackers. This spread paints a pretty picture atop bruschetta.

 

Especially when the radishes are shredded, this spread makes an attractive, excellent garnish for hors d'oeuvres or a sublime dip.

 

A simple yet interesting variation in recipes: use of mix of colors for a fruit or vegetable

colorful assortment of fresh radishes
colorful assortment of fresh radishes

Acknowledgment

 

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

 

Image Credits

 

radish cheese spread on country bread: Nancy Lee (nylee37), CC BY SA 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/16259357@N00/3840792992/

colorful assortment of fresh radishes: Jengod, CC BY SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Radish_3371103037_4ab07db0bf_o.jpg

Čerstvý, horký, houskový knedlík = fresh, hot bread dumplings: Pastorius, CC BY SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HorkyKnedlik.jpg

 

Radishy Cream Cheese Spread (Pomazánka z ředkviček a sýra) is a colorful, delicious spread for fresh, hot bread dumplings (Čerstvý, horký, houskový knedlík), one of most common side dishes in the Czech Republic.

Čerstvý, horký, houskový knedlík = fresh, hot bread dumplings
Čerstvý, horký, houskový knedlík = fresh, hot bread dumplings
the end which is also the beginning
the end which is also the beginning

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Camembert Butter on Bread with Radish

Radishy Cream Cheese Spreads are open to endless variations via cheese or flavored butter substitutions.
Camembert Butter on Bread with Radish

Me and my purrfectly purrfect Maine coon kittycat, Augusta "Gusty" Sunshine

Gusty and I thank you for reading this article and hope that our product selection interests you; Gusty Gus receives favorite treats from my commissions.
DerdriuMarriner, All Rights Reserved
DerdriuMarriner, All Rights Reserved
Updated: 03/01/2024, DerdriuMarriner
 
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DerdriuMarriner on 09/30/2014

VioletteRose, Vegetables are my favorite food group, so I especially enjoy sharing recipes which spotlight veggies. Radishes are wonderful as a solo act, but I also appreciate the contributions of taste and texture which they make in a recipe with other ingredients.

VioletteRose on 09/30/2014

The radish spread with cream cheese sounds really delicious and I like it even more when you can add a vegetable to a recipe! Thanks for sharing.

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