Wednesdays and Thursdays are always the most challenging days for a home cook, because you’ve probably used the weekend leftovers and you’re not ready for a splurge yet. They are also the days when you’re swamped with work and wish it were already Friday. The last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen, to chop, cook, and clean up. This braised daikon radish recipe is designed for exactly this type of situation.
Not only does it take merely 15 minutes of active prep and cooking time, it only uses one pot to make a comforting dinner that is packed with protein, vitamins, and fiber. The seasoning and cooking method is similar to mapo tofu. All you need is to infuse the oil with fresh herbs, brown the ground meat (you can use any kind you like!), throw in daikon radish and the rest of the seasoning, and let it cook for 20 minutes. The dish is done once the radish becomes tender. Use a big spoon to get a little bit of everything – tender radish, ground meat, and clear broth. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to create a flavorful dish with such a few ingredients.
After returning from my gourmet trip in China, I’m now on a low carb diet to lose a few pounds. I didn’t pair rice with this dish. But if you’d like to add some carbs to your dinner and make the meal more substantial, start steaming the rice at the same time and both dishes will be finished at the same time. You can also throw in a can of beans while braising to make a bigger meal. If you have some leftovers, the dish will taste even better the second day!
More delicious winter soup recipes
Watercress Wonton Soup Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup Napa Cabbage Soup with Meatballs Korean Stew Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup
If you give this recipe a try, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it (once you’ve tried it), and take a picture and tag it @omnivorescookbook on Instagram! I’d love to see what you come up with.
