White Turnip

Turnip is a vegetable that can cause a lot of confusion. A couple different vegetables go by the name. We'll clear things up for you.

White Turnip

White Turnip
The true turnip, this smaller white and purple root vegetable is easily found in grocery stores.

Rutabaga or Swede - not actually Turnip
This is a much larger, more yellow or orange fleshed vegetable, also commonly called turnip.

Turnip on the left, Rutabaga on the right

Are they really that different?

They do taste a bit different and white turnip is lower on the glycemic index than rutabaga.

What do I do with it?

Turnips have been eaten in the West for centuries. Traditionally, both turnips and rutabagas are boiled and mashed, providing a cheap nutritious dish. Turnip roasts beautifully and can also be sliced thin and baked into chips. Try substituting turnip for potato to reduce the carb count in recipes.

Apple Cider Vinegar Dressings & Celery Root Salad

Apple Cider Vinegar is a flavourful option when making a dressing that tastes more robust than white vinegar without the additional sugars in balsamic or wine vinegar.



Dressings
With these dressings, combine all ingredients except oil first. Then add oil and shake vigorously in a container or blend. If you prefer your dressings a bit sweet, try adding a little stevia or Walden Farms Maple Syrup.

Garlic HerbVinaigrette
This combination is wonderful on green salads (lettuce, spinach, kale, etc).

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 Tbsp dijon mustard
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tbsp fresh herbs or 1-2 tsp dried (basil, oregano, chives, and thyme are all nice)
• generous pinch of sea salt and black pepper

Apple Cider Vinegar Asian Style Dressing
This tart dressing is best used over chopped or spiralized vegetables (turnip, celeriac, celery, radish, cabbage, etc).

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1-2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 fresh basil
• 1/2 tsp cayenne

Coleslaw Dressing
Add oil to vinegar in a ratio of 1 to 2 (e.x. 4 tsp oil to 2 tsp vinegar). Add other ingredients to taste.

• apple cider vinegar
• olive oil
• maple syrup
• yellow mustard
• cayenne

Orange Ginger Dressing
Add oil to vinegar in a ratio of 1 to 2 (e.x. 4 tsp oil to 2 tsp vinegar). Add other ingredients to taste.

• apple cider vinegar
• olive oil
• ginger, grated
• TRUE CITRUS orange (available at LillyPad)
• stevia 

Celeriac Mustard Salad

Try this recipe with our vegetable of the month: celeriac, also known as celery root

Ingredients

• 2 cups celery root (celeriac)
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 to 3 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 3 Tbsp hot water
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• Freshly ground white pepper
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped mixed soft herbs, such as parsley, chives, thyme, marjoram
• 2 tsp dill pickle, minced

Directions

1. Working quickly, peel the celery root and cut into chunks. Use spiralizer to make into noodles or Grate finely in a food processor fitted with the shredding blade and immediately toss with the salt and lemon juice. Set aside.
2. Place the mustard in a mixing bowl and, while whisking, slowly drizzle in the hot water. When the water is completely incorporated, drizzle in the oil, little by little, until completely incorporated. Add the vinegar, little by little, to form a smooth emulsion and season with white pepper. Stir in the herbs and dill pickle. 
3. Add the dressing to the celeriac, to taste. Serve immediately or allow to sit, refrigerated, in a nonreactive airtight container, for 2 hours and up to 2 days.

Parsley and Paprika Raw Vegetable Paella

This refreshing raw paella has a smoky flavour and makes for a perfect accompaniment to fish or grilled asian dishes.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 dash sea salt
• 1/2 cup mushrooms
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (namashoyu)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 11/2 cups turnip, chopped
• 1/4 cup bell pepper
• 2 tbsp onion
• 1 tsp garlic
• 1/4 cup parsley

Directions

1. Mix apple cider vinegar, soy sauce and paprika. Marinate the the mushrooms in this mix.
2. Pulse turnips, bell peppers, onion, and garlic in food processor until grainy rice-like consistency.
3. Stir in parsley, lemon juice and olive oil.
4. Top with drained marinated mushrooms.

Spicy and Sweet Cinnamon Cider Roast Vegetables

Roasted turnip in spicy cinnamon cider is tangy-sweet, with just a hint of cayenne pepper heat, and makes for a side dish that is the perfect accompaniment to roasted poultry.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp walden farms maple syrup
• 4 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
• 4 cups white turnip, cubed (or other vegetables)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a small saucepan place apple cider, vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, Walden Farms maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and cayenne pepper. Warm over low heat 3-5 minutes.
3. Place vegetables in prepared pan.
4. Pour warm sauce over vegetables.
5. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Serve immediately.

Notes
Turnip is listed here, as it is an approved Phase 1 vegetable. Other great vegetables for this recipe include sweet potato, rutabaga, carrot and butternut squash, though these are not permitted during Phase 1 of the Ideal Protein protocol. Use one vegetable or mix a few for variety.

Makes 6-8 servings

Raw Turnip "Noodle" Salad

Have you ever tried a turning slicer or spiralizer? Making vegetable "noodles" is easy with this handy gadget - try turnip "noodles" in the savoury/tart dressing below for a deliciously light and crunchy side dish. This recipe also works well with finely diced turnip or cabbage to make a raw salad.

Ingredients

• 1 large turnip peeled
• Pea Sprouts
• Dressing ingredients
• 1/4 tsp Pepper
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• Lemon Juice
• Olive oil
• Soy Sauce
• 3 grated garlic cloves
• 1 inch of grated ginger
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil

Directions

1. Cut the turnip using a turning slicer or spiralizer (or finely dice)
2. Combine dressing ingredients in a bowl
3. Pour dressing on "noodles" and mix with your hands
4. Top with fresh pea sprouts

Luscious Treats for Valentine's Day

It can be a challenge in February as Valentine's Day approaches. Chocolate is everywhere. Thankfully, Ideal Protein and LillyPad have some sinfully delicious options to get you through!

Valentine's Dinner Ideas

Appetizer
It's best to avoid snacking before the main meal, but if you need a little something to get you through, try raw vegetables like cucumber slices or broccoli florets with a little Walden Farms* dressing. A cup of warm broth, seasoned with herbs, soy sauce or other allowed seasonings, can also be a nice start to the meal.

Main
"Pasta": Eggplant Lasagna and Mock Alfredo are options, or use Ideal Protein Plain Rotini or Tomato Basil Rotini tossed with oil and spices
Steak: Grill up your preferred cut or try Steak with Chimichurri sauce
Chicken: This Garlic Roast Chicken recipe is a great way to serve up chicken breast
Pork: Pan Seared Pork Chops or try this month's Cinnamon Pork slow cooker recipe
Fish: Use your favourite sugar-free spices or try some tasty Crab Cakes

Sides
Cauliflower Rice
Tangy Turnips
Mock Mashed Potatoes
Roast Zucchini Rosettes
Steamed Vegetables with oil and one of the Fire In The Kitchen* spices
Raw salad with spinach and mushroom, using oil and apple cider vinegar or a Walden Farms* dressing

Drinks
Liven up your water or club soda with Mio or the use one of the all natural sugar free TRUE Lemon, TRUE Lime or TRUE Orange packets that are now in stock at LillyPad. The Ideal Protein Blueberry & Cran-Granata Drink is also a good option.

Dessert
Have or share one of the chocolatey Ideal Protein Products or Ideal Protein LillyPad recipes listed below. Have your after dinner coffee or tea black, using sweetener if need be. Do you prefer Hot Chocolate in the cold weather? You can warm up an Ideal Protein Chocolate Drink. Great additions to any warm drink are cinnamon, peppermint extract or almond extract.

Chocolately Ideal Protein Products:
Raspberry Chocolaty Bar
Double Chocolate Brownie
Milk Chocolate Pudding mix
Ready-to-Serve Dark Chocolate Pudding
Choco-Peanut Butter Bar
Caramel Nut Bar
Cookies and Cream Bar
Chocolate Drink

LillyPad Recipes:
Ideal Protein Chocolate Pudding Puffs
Ideal Protein Raspberry Jelly with Ideal Protein Vanilla Pudding topping

* Fire in the Kitchen spice blends are available at LillyPad. We carry a small selection of Walden Farms dressings, also available at Sobeys.

Tangy Turnips

Add some zip to this hearty fall vegetable, making a plain, traditional dish into a fresh and fancy favourite.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs turnips (approx. 4 small turnips)
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 2 packets TRUE orange crystals
• 2 tbsp Walden Farms maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions

1. Remove turnip greens and set aside
2. Remove the crown of the turnip with a sharp knife, peeling turnips and cutting into 1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes
3. Cook turnips in a steamer with an inch of water in the pot until tender (approximately 40 minutes)
4. Drain turnips and mash with a potato masher or fork
5. Using a wire whisk beat in all remaining ingredients until well mixed
6. Put turnip mixture into a glass baking dish and bake at 350 F for 6 to 8 minutes

Makes 4 servings

Cinnamon Cookies

Need a sweet pick me up? These Phase 1 friendly Ideal Protein cookies may be just the thing!

Ingredients 

• 1 Ideal Protein Crispy Cereal packet
• 1 Ideal Protein Chocolate or Vanilla Drink packet
• 2 egg whites
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Using a rolling pin, gently crush the Ideal Protein Crispy Cereal while still sealed in the packet
3. Combine all ingredients together until well mixed
4. Use a non-stick pan or non-stick spray before making 12 cookies from the mix
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Let cool on the pan for a few minutes before removing

Cinnamon Pork and Turnip - Slow Cooker style

Perfect for winter weather, this comfort food recipe is warm and filling. While it requires a little prep, once it's in your slow cooker you can relax and enjoy as the smell fills your kitchen.

Ingredients 

• 16 oz lean pork
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cups turnip, cubed
• 1 cup rutabega, cubed
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme 
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 2 tsp cinnamon powder or 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat and brown the meat for 2 minutes each side. 
2. Remove from pan and place into slow cooker. 
3. Place the rest of the ingredients on top in the order listed, stir the vegetables lightly and cook on high for 4-6 hours or low 8 hours.

Makes 2 servings