Oven Braised Parsnips and Carrots

Braised and Garnished Parnsips and Carrots

Recipe adapted from Joy of Cooking

“I love your cooking, Robin,” said my friend Joy at dinner a week before Christmas last year. She was specifically talking about this dish, which Bruce and I served with roast turkey, coleslaw, and cranberry sauce. “You know how to make healthy things taste good.”  Sadly, this was the last meal we shared. A chronic illness put her into sudden decline the next week, and she passed away shortly afterwards. I will always cherish my memory of our last dinner, and how we attended the Christmas carol singalong with Boomeria’s 2500-pipe organ afterwards. Let’s join in celebration with our friends, while we have the opportunity.

Next: Slice Parsnips in Half Lengthwise

As I told Joy, I adapted this recipe is from “Joy,” from a simple Joy of Cooking parsnip recipe. I added carrots and reduced the butter. I also needed more broth because my total quantity of veggies increased. You can use any proportion of parsnips to carrots, as long as the total weight is about 1 ½ lbs. Joy of Cooking’s recommended garnish is lemon butter or parsley butter. I’ve used both lemon and parsley, but eliminated the butter.

This simple braising idea can work for many other veggies, though when I tried it with turnips and their greens it was disappointing. Next time I braise turnips or rutabagas, I’ll use a sweeter braising liquid, like apple cider, and/or mix in some carrots, parsnips, or winter squash for sweetness. Feel free to adapt this idea any veggies that you have. Please post your success stories!

Joy of Cooking is a great resource for all sorts of basic recipes that you can adapt—I’ve been using a copy since a former employer gifted me for Christmas in 1981! And if you haven’t read the stormy story of how Joy of Cooking came to be, you might enjoy the book Stand Facing the Stove. Mother and daughter overcame incredible difficulties to get this book published. Read my review on Goodreads.

Brushing Top of Veggies with Butter

Oven Braised Parsnips and Carrots

serves about 6

¾ lb. parsnips

¾ lb carrots

1 cup veggie broth

1 tbsp. melted butter

lemon garnish

¼ - ½ cup chopped parsley for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Peel parsnips and cut in half lengthwise. Remove woody cores, if any. Wash carrots and trim the ends. Peel if you like.

Butter a 2 ½ quart covered casserole dish. Layer carrots and parsnips in casserole. Add broth. Brush top with melted butter. Cover casserole and bake for one hour, stirring once to move the submerged veggies to the top.

Remove parsnips and carrots to a serving dish with a slotted spoon. Garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges.

You can use the broth in other recipes, like Potato Leek Soup. Delicious!

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