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Watermelon Radish Mini Tacos

March 7, 2015 by Cathy Arkle 21 Comments

Watermelon Radish Mini Tacos are crispy, slightly spicy, and taste like a spring garden in your mouth.

Watermelon Radish Tacos | She Paused 4 Thought

There are some dishes where even a carnivore won’t miss the meat because an explosion of flavors transcends every expectation. When you maximize flavor combinations, even the most ordinary dish becomes extraordinary.

So, you might ask, how does one learn to maximize flavor and become a culinary flavor superstar? A great starting point is The Vegetarian Flavor Bible, by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg, a brand new and truly amazing reference book that allows you to unleash your inner creative chef and turn up the flavor volume way high in your cooking.

Flavor Virtuosos

I recently attended a book-signing event for The Vegetarian Flavor Bible at Melissa’s Produce. As you can probably see by the photo below, I’m an unabashed fan of these two-time James Beard Award winners.

The Vegetarian Flavor Bible | She Paused 4 Thought

I already have Karen & Andrew’s book, The Flavor Bible. It is my go-to book when I need inspiration for creating a recipe or help with ingredient substitutions. The Vegetarian Flavor Bible expands into even greater detail about a wider range of plant-based ingredients, including vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, nuts and more.

The Vegetarian Flavor Bible | She Paused 4 Thought

The book profiles hundreds of foods giving their peak seasons, botanical relatives, possible substitutes, pairings, nutritional profiles, serving suggestions, flavor volume levels (quiet to extremely loud) and other cooking tips. All this is what makes the book a must if you want to take your cooking to the next level.

The Event

MelissasProduce|She Paused 4 Thought

We started our delicious meal with fresh vegetables and fruits from Melissa’s Produce.

MelissasProduce|She Paused 4 Thought

Chef Tom Fraker walked us through all of the culinary delights prepared for us. My favorite was the Watermelon Radish Tacos. They’re crisp, slightly spicy, and taste like a spring garden in your mouth, in addition to being stunning on a plate.

MelissasProduce|She Paused 4 Thought

Roasted Bell Pepper, Basil & Parmesan Hummus & Spanish Marinated Portobello Mushrooms with Dutch Yellow Potatoes

carrots-soy_burgers

Roasted Parsnips, Carrots & San Marzano Tomatoes & Soy Sloppy Joes

These sandwiches were made with Melissa’s Soy Ground. I honestly couldn’t tell there wasn’t any meat in it. Quite amazing.

MelissasProduce|She Paused 4 Thought

We all managed to save room for delicious Strawberry-Rhubarb Muffins topped with Ojai Pixie Tangerines.

From Melissa's Produce event featuring The Vegetarian Flavor Bible | She Paused 4 ThoughtOnce our palates and stomachs were satisfied, Karen gave a compelling talk about her journey to becoming vegetarian. She had lost several family members to cancer, which made her rethink her carnivore ways. I, like her, was shocked to learn that the number-one cause of death in America is nutritionally controllable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. After eliminating meat Karen eliminated her digestive issues and lost 20 lbs. in the process.

Karen contends that a plant-based diet is the healthiest way to eat. I agree, and this is one reason The Vegetarian Flavor Bible is a new staple in my kitchen even though I haven’t cut meat completely out.

Even if you consider yourself a committed carnivore, this book will help you create endless possibilities for astounding flavor combinations.

Today’s recipe: Watermelon Radish Mini Tacos

If you haven’t ever encountered a watermelon radish you are in for a real treat. Karen Page describes them in The Vegetarian Flavor Bible as slightly sweet, with notes of jicama and/or pepper. I say they look like summer and taste like spring, and inspire a masterpiece on a plate or canvas. (This is why I will leave describing food to the experts.)

Note: Watermelon radishes are an heirloom Chinese Daikon radish. It is a member of the Brassica (mustard) family along with arugula, broccoli, and turnips. You can find them in higher-end grocery stores and at local farmer’s markets.

Watermelon Radish Tacos | She Paused 4 Thought

 

Watermelon Radish Tacos | She Paused 4 Thought
Print

Watermelon Radish Mini Tacos

Course Vegetarian appetizer
Servings 6
Author Chef Tom Fraker of Melissa's Produce

Ingredients

  • ½ Melissa's Kool Cabbage or Napa cabbage, shredded
  • ¼ red onion diced small
  • 2 each purple yellow and orange baby carrots, tops removed; halved lengthwise; sliced thin
  • 4 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1 pinch freshly ground pepper
  • 1 Melissa's watermelon radish sliced very thin
  • 1 small bunch fresh cilantro chopped fine
  • 2 fresh limes cut into small wedges
  • 20 to othpicks

Instructions

  1. Place the cabbage, red onion and carrots in individual bowls and add equal amounts of the rice vinegar. Season them with the salt and pepper and toss. Place equal amounts of the cabbage, onion and carrots onto each of the radish slices. Add the cilantro, fold them in half and secure with a toothpick. Serve with the lime wedges.

I love so many cookbooks for various reasons, but I don’t write about them. This book is one of my newest favorites along with The Flavor Bible. Even though there aren’t any recipes in this book, the possibilities of new creations will keep you inspired for a lifetime.

Life is too short not to make food you love.
…and then, she paused for thought.

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I received a copy of The Vegetarian Bible to review. All opinions are my own.
Yum

Filed Under: Breakfast / Brunch, Fruit & Veggies, Healthy, Party Food, Product Review, Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes, Simply FUN!, Snacks, Super Easy Tagged With: flavor, gastronomy, Melissa's Produce, raw, The Flavor Bible, The Vegetarian Flavor Bible, vegetarian, watermelon radish, Watermelon Radish Mini Tacos

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leslie Macchiarella

    March 7, 2015 at 1:58 pm

    I’m always learning something new from you! Now I know about watermelon radishes sliced thin and piled high with goodness! Awesome and lovely!

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 7, 2015 at 2:13 pm

      Thanks Leslie. They are quiet refreshing as well.

      Reply
  2. cookingontheweekends

    March 7, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Cathy, this is such an excellent recap, and you captured the beauty of the event perfectly. Just lovely. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Cathy Arkle

    March 7, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    Thanks Valentina! It was such a wonderful event.

    Reply
  4. Nanette

    March 7, 2015 at 6:50 pm

    Those tacos are sooooo beautiful! Wish I could have them for dinner! I’m very interested in the new Vegetarian Flavor Bible although sadly I’m not sure how to use a “flavor bible.” Next blog? 🙂

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 7, 2015 at 7:05 pm

      Thanks Nan. What a great idea, I will dive further into how I use this book in a future post.

      Every time I need to substitute something I go to the Flavor Bible. When I am creating a new recipe I look at flavor profiles to determine what works together. A lot of times I see combination in the book that I never would have thought of. It is book of inspirations for me.

      Reply
  5. Nancy Rose Eisman

    March 9, 2015 at 4:52 pm

    Ditto what Valentina said. You really did the event, food, and especially the book justice. Of course the fact that your photography is outstanding doesn’t hurt! Looking forward to more recommendations from you.

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 9, 2015 at 9:46 pm

      Thanks Nancy, Melissa’s Produce has such great events. I can’t say enough good things about the book or the authors.

      Reply
  6. Kelly Page

    March 9, 2015 at 4:55 pm

    You were the person who turned me on to the Flavor Bible, and it is indeed my cooking bible that I use every week. I wasn’t aware of the Vegetarian version. I need to order it now!

    Your radish tacos are spectacular!

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 9, 2015 at 9:46 pm

      Thanks Kelly, you will LOVE the Vegetarian Flavor Bible. I don’t know how people create recipes without it.

      Reply
  7. sippitysup

    March 10, 2015 at 9:06 am

    This is just so clever. Perfect party food and I can’t wait to try it. GREG

    Reply
    • Cathy | She Paused 4 Thought

      March 10, 2015 at 6:58 pm

      Thanks Greg, I think you will really like this.

      Reply
  8. nancy

    March 10, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    Fabulous write up of the event and I loved those little radish tacos – can’t wait to make them!!

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 28, 2015 at 6:17 pm

      Thanks Nancy!

      Reply
  9. Sue/theviewfromgreatisland

    March 17, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    These are adorable!! Pinning 🙂

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      March 28, 2015 at 6:18 pm

      Thanks Sue! They are adorable and tasty as well. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  10. Priscilla @ She's Cookin'

    May 7, 2015 at 3:21 pm

    Watermelon radishes are so incredibly beautiful – I wish they were more widely available. I’m sorry I had to miss this event, I heard Karen and Andrew speak at IFBC in Seattle and Nancy brought me the book, so I’ll just have to make that gorgeous taco myself!

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      May 7, 2015 at 3:46 pm

      Priscilla is was one of my favorite events. I was so inspired. And yes, I do wish watermelon radishes were more available as well.

      Reply
  11. CHERI NEWELL

    May 25, 2015 at 7:26 pm

    Who knew a “Taco” could look so appetizing??? Just gorgeous color and looks so tasty!!!

    Reply
  12. Chicory App

    June 4, 2015 at 1:04 pm

    Amazing recipe! I never knew such a dish even exist! This is one of the best “food discovery” moments in my life and I’m definitely trying out that recipe some time.
    I work for a foodtech company called Chicory and wonder if you would be interested in becoming our recipe partner!? Please let me know!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tomato and Cheese Pop Tarts - She Paused 4 Thought says:
    December 4, 2019 at 5:12 pm

    […] I proudly added Kitchen Creativity to my collection of MUST-HAVE books for the “culinary explorer”. You Know Who You Are! You can read my review of The Flavor Bible by clicking here. […]

    Reply

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