4 seasonal radish recipes for May

It may be small, but this root vegetable brings a lot to the table aside from colour and is most-loved for its raw, crunchy texture and its rather unusual peppery and spicy flavour

Radish gazpacho

Try this dazzling take on the classic chilled Spanish soup - this version is made with pretty pink radishes, herbs and yogurt. Perfect for summer entertaining.

Serves 4

Prep time: 10 minutes

400g radishes 
2 cucumbers
1 clove of garlic
75g cooked beetroot
120g Greek yoghurt 
2tsp red wine vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
A dash of Tabasco sauce (optional) 
1 tbsp chopped chives
2 tbsp olive oil

Slice 4 radishes and set aside to use as the garnish later. In a food processor, blitz together the cucumbers, garlic, cooked beetroot, Greek yoghurt, red wine vinegar and the rest of the radishes, then season to taste.

Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour and stir well before dividing between four bowls. Serve topped with the tabasco, sliced radishes, chives and olive oil.

Goats’ cheese crostini with spring onion and radish

A simple little snack or canapé to share with friends. Peppery radish complements the creamy goats’ cheese and the spring onions add a little liveliness. A brilliant combination.

Makes 10 crostini

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 2 minutes

10 slices of French stick or Ciabatta
Drizzle of olive oil
125g soft goats’ cheese
4 spring onions, sliced
10 French breakfast radishes, sliced

Heat the grill and lay the bread on baking sheet and drizzle with a little olive oil. Toast each side under the grill until golden.

Once toasted, spread each slice with goats’ cheese and top with some slices of radish and spring onion. Season with a little salt and pepper and serve.

Radish and pea salad

This is such a simple, fresh and seasonal salad, perfect as a side dish, a quick healthy snack or a light meal in its own right. It’s so healthy but looks so good, you’ll be inspiring all your guests to re-create this one at home.

Serves: 2-3

Preparation time: 10 minutes

1 teacupful of fresh peas
10 radishes, thinly sliced
1 spring onion, thinly sliced
3 tbsp crème fraiche​
milk
A punnet of cress
black pepper

Lightly cook the peas in boiling water, then drain and cool under the tap. Scatter them over a plate with the thinly sliced radishes and spring onion.

Thin the crème fraiche to single cream consistency with a little milk and trickle it over the salad. Snip over the cress and season with freshly ground black pepper and serve.

Special fried rice with radish, celery and spring onions

Serves 2

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes

1 tbsp sesame oil
250g pork strips
1 clove garlic, crushed
3cm ginger, grated
2 sticks of celery, sliced diagonally
4 radishes, sliced
1 pack wholemeal microwave rice
¼ Chinese leaf lettuce, shredded
2 spring onions, sliced
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp hot sauce
1 tbsp mirin​
2 tsp sesame seed

In a large wok, heat the oil until very hot and cook the pork strips, tossing and stirring throughout. Add the garlic and ginger, stir and then add the celery and radish.

Continue to stir while adding the rice, Chinese leaf lettuce and spring onions. Add in the soy, hot sauce and mirin and stir while everything cooks. The vegetables should keep a good crunch.

Serve sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Recipes from loveradish.co.uk