Don’t skimp on ingredients with this one. Quality butter, the best bread and a delicate salt will make a huge difference.
I’m baaaack… After returning from vacation, one of the many recent thunderstorms in Chicago seemingly broke our modem/router disconnecting us from the internet for a number of days. I never realized how much I rely on “being connected” for recipes, weather reports, maps and working at home. After hours on the phone with customer service, a trip to the ATT store and some reconfiguration, we have returned our household to the 21st century.
Due to excessive summer heat and wonderfully fresh produce, we are eating a lot of simple, cold foods. The above photograph turns up the corner of my mouth as it is the product of three wonderful friends. Last summer, we spent an evening at my friend Jessica’s house enjoying her lush back yard. She is a fellow food aficionado and served up a mouthwatering spread. That evening, Jessica introduced me to this simple delight – radishes on buttered bread with salt.
About a month ago, my friend Kathy was leaving for a culinary escapade in France (which you can read about here.) Kathy’s footprint is all over this blog as she introduced me to this almond tea cake, these pecan rolls, she makes these mini cookies and her coup d’etat, THE Flag Cake. Before she skipped town, I was fortunate enough to be the recipient of her kitchen “overstock.” She delivered some passion fruit simple syrup she had been using to make a friend’s wedding cake (we made it into passion fruit mojitos), a few loaves of bakery bread and a bunch of deliciously spicy radishes still dirty from her garden. Yes, it is good to be Kathy’s friend.
A few days later, we shared a summer evening with my pal Ebony’s family. They are not only food lovers but much better chefs than I am. Culinary experiences with these two, whether a pancake brunch or chili that took 24 hours to make, are always a unique pleasure. I put Ebony to the task of buttering the bread and slicing the radishes. Perhaps it is the talented designer in her that led the way to this beautiful result. She sliced and placed the radishes on the bread just so before sprinkling them with Australian pink flake salt. Had I prepared them, it would have most certainly been a more haphazard heap. Aren’t they gorgeous?
A simple piece of bread with butter, radishes and salt will forever please my palate and remind me that I am fortunate to be surrounded by big-hearted, food-loving friends.
July 23rd, 2011 at 4:49 pm
…Oh my, this looks divine! I have heard of this before but have never seen it presented so lovely. Great job Ebony! :o)
…I will have to give this a try, for sure. Unfortunately I don’t have friends that will unload their fresh produce on me but I think this will be worthy of the trip to the market! ;o)
…Thank you for the inspiration!
…Blessings :o)
July 23rd, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Thanks to my grandmother this, in sandwich form, and it is my favourite way to eat radishes. My mouth is watering.
July 24th, 2011 at 7:45 pm
My mom’s all-time favorite. Classic farm girl fare!
July 25th, 2011 at 8:54 am
This I am going to have to try! I know its good without the bread, but with a nice home baked bread I am sure its all the more divine.
It must be nice to have a friend like Ebony! :)
July 25th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
I just bought some radishes a couple of days ago! Will have to try this. Recently discovered your blog, its fantastic. Great recipes and photos.
July 26th, 2011 at 11:24 am
I love radishes and butter on toast. Weirdly it’s just a bit too cold here for cold foods though. Soon.
July 26th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
This does look great and I agree it is impossible without access to the Internet.
July 27th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
WOW! This is beautiful!! The next time I have a tea party or a bridal shower, I feel like this technique will definitely come in handy!
I wonder what this would look like on a mini bagel with a dallop of creme fraiche on it! Thank you for a great idea!!
July 31st, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Radish, butter and salt sandwiches were one of my favoites as a kid that my grandma would make for me on the farm!
August 1st, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Awe… thanks for the shout out! That was such a fun feast and this past weekend was the same balmy weather fit to enjoy this treat again!
August 1st, 2011 at 5:51 pm
This reminds me of my father, he always ate radishes when I was a kid. My dog loves them too!
August 3rd, 2011 at 11:34 am
Hooray! Glad you enjoyed my off-load. Boy did I eat A LOT of this over the last month. Whoo. Must get together soon and catch up!!
August 3rd, 2011 at 11:44 am
This is one of my Grandmother’s simple pleasures and trademark summer favorites. Makes me nostalgic and also a little hungry.
September 13th, 2011 at 12:51 am
[...] Radishes, butter, and salt on bread [...]
September 24th, 2011 at 10:17 am
Sounds amazing and simple! I will get some radishes at the Farmer’s Market today. :)