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Rhubarb Recipes
The Very Best Rhubarb Recipes
Rhubarb is not an unusual ingredient, nor an especially exotic one, but it is not used anywhere near as much as apples, bananas, or oranges in dessert-making. Although, botanically speaking, rhubarb is a vegetable rather than a fruit, it is more often than not treated as a fruit and matched with other fruits to make sweet recipes likes pies, cakes and other sweet treats, rather than savory dishes.
This ingredient is in season during the spring and summer months, and it is rich in vitamin C, potassium and fiber, yet low in calories. Making recipes with this tasty vegetable which thinks it is a fruit is a great way to embrace the tangy and unique flavor of rhubarb.
Rhubarb has been around for a long time and perhaps you can think of something delicious your mother or grandmother used to do with this mouthwatering ingredient. The earliest rhubarb recipes were pies and tarts, but in recent times exotic rhubarb recipes have become more popular, and these include savory side dishes, spiced meat and rhubarb stews, and much more.
Impressive Homemade Rhubarb Recipes
The most impressive recipes you can prepare with rhubarb are not necessarily the most complicated ones. In fact some rhubarb recipes only require four or five ingredients, and they offer an amazing flavor, texture, and appeal. This means that if you are new to cooking with rhubarb you will be able to find some exciting rhubarb recipes which you will find simple to put together.
A lot of home cooks do prefer to start off with the classic rhubarb dishes like pie or cake, and that is fine. After you master these, you will want to use rhubarb in more recipes, perhaps experimenting with savory dishes, international rhubarb recipes, or jams and jellies.
Recipe Ideas for Rhubarb
Nothing announces that spring has arrived quite as well as preparing your first rhubarb dessert of the year. Rhubarb crisp is always a popular choice and if you make single-serving portions, you can get dessert on the table anytime. Rhubarb is the original 'pie plant' and it combines very well with strawberries to make a tasty rhubarb and strawberry pie.
Making a summer pie is a great way to honor the wonderful pairing between these two fruits. You can make a plain pie or take a little extra time and make a lattice pastry topping. Strawberries and rhubarb can also be paired to make strudels, cookies, or bars. A rhubarb and vanilla compote would be lovely with French toast or pancakes, rolled up in crepes, or simply served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Cook rhubarb in a little orange liqueur and honey to make a bright sauce which you can toss with strawberries, mango, melon, and grapes, to make an outstanding fruit salad recipe, or use stewed rhubarb chunks to perk up your morning oatmeal.
Not-So-Sweet Rhubarb Ideas
Rhubarb pairs well with fruit but you can also use it to make savory recipes. If you want to make an impressive salad, try combining duck breast with strawberries. A tangy, fruity dressing such as rhubarb vinaigrette would finish such a dish to perfection, cutting through the oiliness of the duck and contrasting well with the naturally sweet strawberries. Chilled strawberry and rhubarb soup makes a beautiful and sophisticated appetizer on a warm summer evening, and this can always be made ahead.
Rhubarb also makes a nice chutney and gives it a wonderful tang. Pair your rhubarb with fresh ginger and golden raisins, as well as other chutney ingredients, and serve this tangy mixture with grilled pork chops or chicken breasts. It would also go well with fresh mackerel or turkey. Another option would be introducing dates to the rhubarb, to make a date and rhubarb chutney instead.
If this idea appeals to you, you might also like to make a sauce with your rhubarb stalks. Pair the sour rhubarb with sweet onions, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, and other seasonings, to make a unique and exciting sauce, which would be very good with roast pork. Roast rhubarb for a few minutes to make a tart topping for a mixed green salad. Add walnuts, goat's cheese, and raisins for an exquisite finish. These are just a few ideas for your rhubarb stalks. Realistically there are hundreds of mouthwatering ideas for this versatile ingredient.
When choosing rhubarb, select stalks which are red and pert. Avoid anything too soft or bendy. If you slice the stalks very thinly, there is no need to peel off the outer strings. Rosy pink or red rhubarb always looks magnificent in recipes, whether you are making something sweet like a cake or fruit pie, or a tangy recipe such as vinaigrette or chutney.
Bon Appétit, and thanks for visiting,
Christine and everyone here at Easy Rhubarb Recipes
Rhubarb Recipes and Rhubarb Article Links
Rhubarb Cake Recipes
Rhubarb Crisp Recipe
Rhubarb Pie
Rhubarb Recipes
Savory Rhubarb Dishes
Growing Rhubarb
Rhubarb Cooking Tips
Rhubarb Articles & Rhubarb Health Benefits
Rhubarb Cake Recipes
The Best Rhubarb Cake Recipes
Cakes are supposed to be moist not dry, and using moist ingredients such as rhubarb certainly helps with this. Rhubarb adds a sweet yet tart edge to your cakes, as well as an attractive greenish pink color. You might like to try making a rhubarb upside-down cake so the wonderful pink rhubarb is the first thing you see, or you can use rhubarb in any fruit cake recipe to add moistness, flavor and colorful appeal. Rhubarb coffee cake, strawberry rhubarb cake, rhubarb jam roly-poly and lemon rhubarb cake are just a few suggestions if you are looking for the best rhubarb cake recipes. You can add rhubarb to all kinds of tasty cakes if you want to add a special tang and make the cake recipe unique.
Delicious Rhubarb in Cake Recipes
Because rhubarb is not naturally sweet like, for instance, strawberries or apples, it adds a lovely tang to cakes and sweet recipes, rather like how lime or lemon adds a sharp tang. Rhubarb brings balance to super-sweet cakes and stops them from being too sweet, as well as adding a lovely color, flavor and texture to the recipe as a whole. You can cook the rhubarb before adding it, making it as sweet or as tart as you wish, and it will perk up any cake recipe. Try a soft rhubarb sponge or a delectable rhubarb crumb cake, served with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee, for an indulgent treat at any time of the day or evening.
Rhubarb Jam Roly Poly with Custard
Recipe for Rhubarb Crumb Cake with Ginger
Rhubarb Buttermilk Cake with a Meringue Topping
Lemon Rhubarb Cake with Pecans
Heavenly Rhubarb Sponge Cake Recipe
How to Make Rhubarb Cake Recipes with Cake Mix
The Best Recipe for Rhubarb Coffee Cake
Hearty Strawberry Rhubarb Cake Recipes
Rhubarb Crisp Recipe
Most Amazing Rhubarb Crisp Recipe Ideas
Rhubarb crisp combines a soft, sweet base with a dry, crunchy topping, giving you the best of both worlds when it comes to dessert recipes. Rhubarb crisp is something that your mother or grandmother might have made you, or it might be something you have only tried in restaurants. Whatever the case, nothing beats a homemade rhubarb crisp recipe, or rhubarb crumble recipe, as this dish is also known. Serve rhubarb crisp with sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, to contrast the cool cream with the dessert which is still warm from the oven. Rhubarb crisp is comfort food at its finest.
Remarkable Rhubarb Crisp for Everyone
If you want to make your own rhubarb crisp, you will be pleased to know that rhubarb crisp recipes are easy. With their buttery, spiced, crispy toppings, they make really mouthwatering desserts too. Nobody will ever be disappointed when presented with a dish of warm rhubarb crisp. This yummy dessert is a classic, timeless way to use rhubarb, and everyone loves it no matter what their age. Everyone from kids to the elderly love rhubarb crisp and the homemade kind beats anything you could ever get in a restaurant. You can make it as sweet or as tart as you want, and you can choose how deep the fruity layer is and how thick and crumbly you make the topping. Make your rhubarb crisp recipe just the way you like and this dish is sure to become a family favorite.
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Rhubarb Crisp Recipe and Custard
Rainy Day Desserts like Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler
Rhubarb Pie
Every Rhubarb Pie Recipe You Need
Rhubarb was originally known as the 'pie plant' because it is so great for making pie recipes. Have you already tried making a rhubarb pie recipe? There are lots of different types to choose from, including rhubarb custard pie, old-fashioned rhubarb cream pie, and tangy rhubarb pie. You can pair the rhubarb with other fruit too, if you would like to make an apple rhubarb pie or a strawberry rhubarb pie instead. Rhubarb is great with apple or strawberries, and you can even experiment with other fruits too, such as peach, blackberries, or pear. Adding sweet fruits means you can reduce the amount of sugar you add to the recipe, so if that is a concern for you it is worth knowing.
What Makes Rhubarb Pie Outstanding
When making a pie with rhubarb you can choose what kind of crust you want and whether you want the crust to cover the base, go up the sides or even enclose the top of the pie too. Some people like to use pie dough to make their rhubarb pies and others prefer to make their own dough from scratch or even use a no-bake crust. It is completely up to you. The rhubarb pies you might have bought in the past from the store are nothing like homemade rhubarb pie in terms of flavor, texture, and wonderful freshness. Once you have made your own rhubarb pie you will never want a store-bought one again.
Recipe for Apple Rhubarb Pie
Sensational Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe
Tangy Rhubarb Pie Recipes
One of the Best Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe
Savory Rhubarb Custard Pie Recipe with Raspberries
Apple and Rhubarb Pie with Sour Cream
Old-Fashioned Recipe for Rhubarb Cream Pie
Treat the Family to Spectacular Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Tonight
Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Rhubarb Recipes
Outrageously Easy Rhubarb Recipes
There are so many different rhubarb recipes that you will be spoilt for choice when deciding what to make with your flavorful red, green or pink rhubarb stalks. Perhaps you fancy making something traditional, and classic dishes like rhubarb cake or old-fashioned rhubarb pie will never go out of vogue. So what else can you make with rhubarb? Well rhubarb beverages can be yummy and refreshing, not to mention healthy. Try a rhubarb and yogurt smoothie, a rhubarb and lemon fruit drink, or even an alcohol-free rhubarb daiquiri. Rhubarb can also be used to make gelatin desserts, jams, and jellies, so that might inspire you to make your own. You can make rhubarb jam with as few as four ingredients.
Rhubarb Recipes for Any Palate
How does rhubarb panna cotta sound to you, or baked donuts filled with rhubarb? Perhaps your mouth is already watering in anticipation of a home-baked rhubarb treat. If not, it soon will be when you begin to look through the recipes and prepare the necessary pots, pans, and ingredients. Rhubarb is a nutritious ingredient as well as a versatile and flavorful one, and there are lots of different types of rhubarb recipes ranging from sweet to tart, hot to chilled, and healthy to indulgent. You can use it to make appetizers and snacks, side dishes and of course desserts, which are better known than the savory rhubarb recipes or unusual rhubarb chutneys and side dishes. Whatever your preference, you are sure to find some appealing rhubarb recipes here.
Rhubarb and Yogurt Smoothie Recipe
Recipe for Rhubarb Bread Using Either Sour Cream or Buttermilk
Virgin Strawberry Rhubarb Daiquiri Recipe
An Alternative Rhubarb Salad
Rhubarb Recipe with Sugar
Rhubarb and Custard with Saffron Cake
5 Ingredient Rhubarb Fool Recipe
Traditional Strawberry and Rhubarb Trifle
Special Hot Apple and Rhubarb Charlotte with Custard
Recipes for Baked Donuts Filled with Rhubarb: Fresh is Best
Strawberry and Rhubarb Compote with Homemade Ricotta Cheese
Puff Pastry Rhubarb Squares with Hot Vanilla Sauce
Sweet Rhubarb Tartlets with a Meringue Topping
Easy Summer Pudding Recipe with Rhubarb
Sweet Rhubarb Wine Recipe
A Tasty Rhubarb Drink with Lemon
Easy 4-Ingredient Rhubarb Orange Jam
Rhubarb Panna Cotta Recipe
Enchanting Coconut Cream with Rhubarb
Breakfast Pancake with Rhubarb and Apple
Healthy Strawberry Rhubarb Whole Wheat Muffins
Traditional Rhubarb Sticky Buns Recipe
Country Style Rhubarb Jam
Delicious Stewed Rhubarb Recipe
Just Perfect Rhubarb Buttermilk Muffin Recipe
Sweet and Tart Recipe Rhubarb Jam
Fresh and Creative Rhubarb Gelatin
Savory Rhubarb Dishes
Why Not Make Savory Rhubarb Dishes
Many people are surprised when they learn they can use rhubarb to make savory dishes but, if you think about it, rhubarb is a savory ingredient. It has a naturally tart, almost bitter flavor, which can be paired with all kinds of non-sweet ingredients to make appetizers, side dishes, stews, curries, chutneys, and more. Learn how to pickle rhubarb to make a tangy condiment, or prepare your own simple rhubarb onion relish. Rhubarb desserts are very nice too but you usually have to add sugar, honey or another kind of sweetener to make the rhubarb palatable. You will not have that issue when making savory rhubarb dishes because the rhubarb does not have to be sweetened first.
More Savory Rhubarb Dishes and Ideas
Rhubarb can be paired with spinach to make a healthy side dish and this is lovely served alongside fish, or you can add rhubarb to an exotic lentils dish to introduce a unique tang to the overall flavor. Try it with a beef or chicken stew and watch your dinner guests' faces as they try to work out what it is. Nobody expects to find rhubarb in their savory meals so they might not be able to guess, but it works so well and you can add it to all kinds of savory dishes. Rhubarb is incredibly versatile and you can use it as a vegetable or as a fruit, depending on the recipe you choose to make; it suits both styles equally well.
How to Pickle Rhubarb
Indian Style Lentils and Rhubarb
Simple Rhubarb Onion Relish
Pan Fried Rosemary Tilapia with Rhubarb and Spinach
Growing Rhubarb
All You Need to Know About Growing Rhubarb
Although you can buy rhubarb from the store or market, you might wish to find out more about growing rhubarb. You can grow rhubarb from seed quite easily and you can just plant a small amount unless you have a lot of land to work with. Rhubarb is very much suited to beginner gardeners because it is not a difficult crop. Learn some tips about growing rhubarb and read about some different rhubarb-growing experiences. You will need to familiarize yourself with other rhubarb tips and tricks, such as how to select the best fertilizer for your crop and how to divide rhubarb. Even basic questions like how do you pick rhubarb and how do you transplant rhubarb are answered here, in our comprehensive growing rhubarb section.
Growing Rhubarb Can Be a Great Idea
Growing rhubarb is not just for professional gardeners. If you have some time and patience, why not have a go yourself? If you have already browsed some of our easy rhubarb recipes you will know there are plenty of dishes you can make with your homegrown rhubarb when it is ready for harvesting, and if you have too much then your friends, family and neighbors are sure to appreciate your generosity. Everyone loves homegrown rhubarb for its quality and excellent flavor. Growing rhubarb can be a great idea if you are happy to plant your own crops and you will love its superior flavor.
Growing Rhubarb - Is It for You
Growing Rhubarb from Seed
Tips on Growing Rhubarb
Rhubarb Farming
The First Rhubarb of the Season
Harvesting Rhubarb
Why Won't My Rhubarb Grow
Experiences Growing Rhubarb
Gigantic Rhubarb Plants
The Difference between Rhubarb and Rhubarb Chard
How to Grow Rhubarb
How to Start a Rhubarb Farm
How to Plant Rhubarb
How Many Seeds does Rhubarb Produce
When You Wonder How to Pick Rhubarb
Learning How to Transplant Rhubarb in your Garden
How to Buy Full Grown Rhubarb Plants in CT
Tips on How to Divide Rhubarb
Things to Know about how to Harvest Rhubarb
Tricks for Growing Rhubarb
Best Fertilizer for Rhubarb
Container Gardening Rhubarb
Planting Rhubarb Seeds
Can You Transplant Rhubarb
Rhubarb Cooking Tips
The Rhubarb Cooking Tips Every Home Cook Needs
There is more to making great rhubarb recipes than simply picking out a recipe and following the directions. Before you make rhubarb recipes, you might wish to familiarize yourself with a few of our handy rhubarb cooking tips, so you can select the best quality rhubarb and prepare it simply, safely and effectively. Learn some different ways to prepare rhubarb or even how to freeze and thaw rhubarb to maintain its wonderful flavor and texture. If you want to can rhubarb we can teach you that and we also have tips to ensure your rhubarb pie is outstanding. Learn how to make the best rhubarb preserves and jellies, as well as how to make dried rhubarb or strawberry freezer jam.
Handy Rhubarb Cooking Tips for Amazing Results
Learning a few handy tips and tricks about rhubarb before making our recipes can make a lot of difference in how your rhubarb recipes come out. Well-chosen, healthy stalks of rhubarb can be expertly cleaned and prepared to ensure consistently great results from all your favorite easy rhubarb recipes, no matter whether you are making cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, side dishes, chutney, jam, beverages, or another type of rhubarb recipe. Rhubarb cooking tips are useful for beginners in the kitchen and also an interesting resource for more accomplished home cooks who want to brush up on their cooking skills in order to make the best rhubarb recipes possible.
Rhubarb Cooking Tips
Rhubarb Stawberry Freezer Jam
How to Freezing Rhubarb
How to Make Dried Rhubarb
How do You Cook Rhubarb
How to Freeze Rhubarb the Easy Way
Ways to Prepare Rhubarb
Things to Know about How to Make Rhubarb Pie
How to Dry Rhubarb: Helpful Hints
How to Freeze Rhubarb
How to Can Rhubarb
Keeping Rhubarb from Becoming Mushy
Why Recipes Like Rhubarb Sticky Buns Make Such Great Comfort Food
Love Rhubarb Custard Candy? Make Rhubarb and Custard
Recipe for Rhubarb Cream Pie - A Few Tips and Tricks
Rhubarb Articles & Rhubarb Health Benefits
Rhubarb Articles & Rhubarb Health Benefits
Discovering how to make new rhubarb recipes is fun but learning more about this vegetable which thinks it is a fruit can be fascinating. Our rhubarb articles and rhubarb health benefits section gives you the inside information about how to store rhubarb, how to find your nearest rhubarb festival and the truth about whether rhubarb is actually a fruit or a vegetable. What is rhubarb custard candy, how many stalks of rhubarb make a pound, and how much does rhubarb cost? You can find the answers to these questions, among others, in our rhubarb articles and rhubarb health benefits section of the website. Let us help you with your rhubarb questions and queries so you can become an expert in making great meals and desserts with it.
Rhubarb Facts which are Good to Know
Whenever you cook with a new ingredient it is always worthwhile finding out as much as you can about it. There are very important things to know, such as rhubarb leaves are toxic, and interesting facts to learn, such as which health benefits rhubarb offers. This resource is highly interesting and useful for any home cook who wants to experiment with rhubarb recipes or learn more about this delicious and versatile vegetable. Learning more about rhubarb means you have an advantage when it comes to preparation and cooking rhubarb dishes. You can even find out how to grow your own flavorful rhubarb if you want to make your rhubarb recipes completely from scratch.
Rhubarb Health Benefits
Health Benefits
What is Turkey Rhubarb and What is it used For
Rhubarb during Pregnancy
Oxalic Acid Rhubarb Cautions
Rhubarb Articles
Where to Find a Rhubarb Festival
How Much is Rhubarb and Why
Knowing How Many Stalks of Rhubarb Make a Pound
Helpful Tips on How to Store Rhubarb
Is Rhubarb A Fruit Or Vegetable
What is Rhubarb Custard Candy
How to Make Rhubarb Recipes Like a Pro
Choose firm, red stalks of rhubarb and avoid anything slimy or limp. The greener the stalk, the more bitter the flavor will be. You can buy forced rhubarb between January and March, and then the outdoor-grown kind takes over.
Locally grown rhubarb is usually good through the spring and summer months but can become coarse in late summer. Forced rhubarb is tender and delicate. Slice and wrap your rhubarb, then keep it in the refrigerator if you can. Cooked rhubarb freezes well.
How to Prepare Rhubarb
Wash and trim your rhubarb stalks before using them. Throw the leaves away because they are toxic. If you are using outdoor-grown rhubarb instead of forced rhubarb, peel off any stringy outer layers. Cut the stalks into equal-sized pieces so the rhubarb cooks evenly.
Forced rhubarb is a lot more fragile than the more robust outdoor-grown variety, so bake or poach it briefly. Do not cook it for too long, else it will disintegrate into a mush. Forced rhubarb releases a lot of juice when cooked, so use a thick sugar syrup. The outdoor-grown type has a sharper flavor. It also offers a more fibrous texture so it needs to be cooked for longer. Both types of rhubarb are good in pies, jellies, tarts, cakes, and savory recipes.
You can make a rhubarb cordial using rosewater to complement the rhubarb flavor, a delicious grapefruit and rhubarb jam, or any one of hundreds of rhubarb recipes. Vanilla, lavender, and orange are especially good with rhubarb. It is important to know which flavors are good with rhubarb if you want to make rhubarb dishes like a pro.
Basic Rhubarb Cooking Method
Wash a couple of pounds of rhubarb stalks and cut off the ends near the leaves at the base. Cut the rhubarb into small pieces, perhaps an inch or an inch and a half. Put the rhubarb in a heavy-bottomed pot with 1 1/3 cups of white sugar and add a little water - not too much, just enough to cover the rhubarb. Some people like to add a pinch of salt too, but that is up to you.
Cover the pot and cook the rhubarb for ten minutes, stirring a few times so the mixture does not stick. When the mixture is mushy and you can see the rhubarb strings, it is done. Take the mixture off the heat and let it cool, then serve with ice cream or whipped cream. If you want to use the rhubarb in another recipe, strain off the excess liquid first.
Using Less Sugar in Rhubarb Recipes
If you do not like to use so much sugar, then try using maple syrup, agave syrup, or honey instead. Cooking rhubarb without a sweetener gives a very tart result which most people do not like.
You can also reduce the amount of sugar by adding some orange peel. Use one and a half teaspoons of dried orange peel and a quarter cup of sugar or honey per pound of rhubarb. Some chefs like to use orange juice instead of water, or add a slit vanilla pot. You can also add spices like nutmeg or cloves, depending on the end flavor you hope to achieve.
If you like, you can use a hot water bath to can this rhubarb mixture. Have sterilized jars ready and put the boiling rhubarb mixture in the jars. Add the rings and process in a hot water back for fifteen minutes. Alternatively you can simply freeze the prepared rhubarb and thaw it as required.
Photo Description:
Rhubarb appeals to all ages, from babies to the elderly and of course all of us in between. Whether you consider it a fruit or a vegetable, there are enough rhubarb recipes to guarantee you are not going to get bored of this flavorful ingredient any time soon. Rhubarb is nutritious so it is always worth using in your favorite recipes. Try adding it to cakes, cookies, or bars, stewing it with honey and apple, making a rhubarb mousse or even adding it to curries or stews. Rhubarb is easy to grow so you might even like to try growing and harvesting your own, then making your lovely homegrown produce into some of the best rhubarb recipes.
Different Types of Rhubarb Recipes
Many people have only tried rhubarb pie or rhubarb crisp, and never tried rhubarb cooked in another way. This ingredient is much more versatile than you might think though, and there is a lot you can do with it. You can even get creative and invent your own rhubarb dishes. If you do not add sugar you can use it as a vegetable in savory dishes. If you do add sugar or sweeten it, you can use it in your favorite dessert recipes or even create something unique and brand new.
Botanically, rhubarb might be a vegetable, but it functions really well as a fruit and matches up with other fruits like strawberries, apple, blackberries, and peach, to make wonderful desserts. Try it with raspberries, plums, grapes, or your favorite fruits, either making a rhubarb fruit salad recipe or another dish which features cooked fruit and some kind of tasty topping.
Do not be afraid to experiment with rhubarb. You might be surprised at its versatility. Any kind of fruit matches it in a sweet recipe, so use your favorites. Most people have tried several rhubarb-based desserts but no other rhubarb recipes, so if you already know that you like rhubarb, you might wish to try something different next time you prepare it.
Classic Rhubarb Desserts
Try baking rhubarb with strawberries and topping it with vanilla ice cream or custard. You could even use it to make sherry trifle or a fruit fool recipe. Rhubarb can be added to cakes and cookies, or you can use it to make jams and jellies.
It adds an attractive pink hue to your baked desserts and the flavor is unique and wonderful. What about making a rhubarb upside-down-cake, so you can see the delicious rhubarb on top when you serve it, or serving stewed rhubarb with hot custard, the English way? These classic rhubarb recipes are many people's favorite type of rhubarb dish, but it can also be rewarding to make something unusual with it.
Use It as a Vegetable
Another type of rhubarb recipe is the savory kind, although these are not as well-known as sweet ones. Rhubarb can be treated like a vegetable and added to stews or curries. It can be made into a piquant sauce to serve with pork, chicken, or turkey, or you could try making a rhubarb chutney. The tartness of the rhubarb would work with the sweetness of the sugar or sweetener, and you could also add ginger or raisins for extra appeal.
Rhubarb can work as a bridge ingredient when you are combining sweet ingredients with savory ones. Although it has a sour tang, sugar brings out the natural sweetness of rhubarb, so you can add it to sweet or savory recipes, or combine it with the two, such as making a salad with both savory ingredients (like eggs, salad leaves, cucumber and olives) and sweeter ones like fruits and berries.
Do not forget the humble tomato in your salad either - if you are going to be using a vegetable which thinks it is a fruit, you might as well also use a fruit which thinks it is a vegetable!
Photo Description:
This photo shows an elegant rhubarb roll, which would not look out of place at a gourmet dinner party. Rhubarb is visually appealing with its lovely pink color and offers something for everyone because you can make it as sweet as you like or serve it as tart as you like. This ingredient suits cake, pie, tart, or cookie recipes, and you can experiment with it, coming up with your own exciting rhubarb desserts. Rhubarb is affordable and easy to prepare, and there are many different recipes for it which the whole family is sure to appreciate.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Rhubarb Recipes
Rhubarb stalks taste lovely but never eat the leaves, because they are toxic. Although you would have to consume about ten pounds of rhubarb leaves to kill you, there is another poisonous substance in rhubarb which means you should never use the leaves. The stalks are perfectly safe though. Cook rhubarb in stainless steel or glass containers because it is an acidic ingredient and might react with aluminum or other types of cookware.
Add Minimal Liquid When Cooking Rhubarb
When you are cooking rhubarb with sugar in a pan, it is important not to add too much liquid, else the rhubarb might get mushy. It is better to begin with just a splash of liquid and then you can add more during cooking if need be. If you want to cook rhubarb without having to add any liquid at all, then add the sugar to the chopped rhubarb and let it stand for three to four hours before you cook it. The sugar will draw out the rhubarb juices so you do not have to add any more liquid.
Making Rhubarb Sweeter
Rhubarb is naturally tart so most people add sugar, honey or another sweetener when cooking it. If you do not like to add sweeteners to your food, then pair your rhubarb with apple, strawberries or another kind of sweet ingredient and do not use much of it. That way you will get the rhubarb flavor without having to sweeten the dish.
Which Type of Rhubarb Recipes to Make
Everyone has their own favorite recipes for rhubarb. Some people love rhubarb crisp, especially when it is served hot from the oven with lashings of whipped cream on top, and others prefer moist rhubarb cake or tasty rhubarb bars.
Whether you have a particular favorite or just enjoy experimenting with this delicious vegetable that thinks it is a fruit, you are not going to run out of rhubarb recipes any time soon because there are many to choose from, and probably a lot which you have not considered making.
Impressive Rhubarb Dishes
If you want to make something elegant, then rhubarb is a lovely ingredient to choose. Maybe you are catering for a dinner party or cooking a birthday meal for a loved one. Gourmet rhubarb recipes range from virgin strawberry rhubarb daiquiri to rhubarb panna cotta and summer fruit pudding with rhubarb. Any of these would make a nice dessert and would be sure to impress your dinner guests.
When making gourmet recipes it is usually best to keep the presentation simple. Serve cakes or pies with a little scoop of ice cream on the side, or opt for whipped cream if you prefer, garnished simply with a sprig of mint perhaps.
A rhubarb daiquiri or mousse can be served in a martini glass or another kind of decorative glass. A wine glass would also work. You could serve a rhubarb gelatin recipe in a martini glass or wine glass, maybe keeping the glasses at a 45 degree angle in the refrigerator so the gelatin sets on an angle. That would certainly look unusual and be a conversation starter.
Kids' Rhubarb Favorites
Kids tend to be fond of rhubarb and you have plenty of scope if you want to make something they will love. A simple recipe for stewed rhubarb is usually enough to capture their interest. To make this you just need to cook rhubarb with some sugar (or honey, or another kind of sweetener) and a little water. You can cook it in a pan on the stove until the rhubarb begins to fall apart.
You will be able to see when it is done because it will look stringy. A lot of kids like this mixture if you stir in some raisins at the beginning and let them cook with the rhubarb. This is also a healthy way of adding sweetness. Serve this with custard, whipped cream, or ice cream. It is good hot, warm or chilled.
Kids also tend to like rhubarb cookies, rhubarb cake, rhubarb bars, rhubarb cobbler, and pretty much anything else which is sweet and yummy. Your kids will definitely love your homemade rhubarb recipes and they will be begging you to make them again and again. Rhubarb is technically a vegetable so at least you will know they are eating their veggies!
Finally there are savory rhubarb recipes like rhubarb sauce, rhubarb chutney, rhubarb curry, and more. The next time you are making a stew or curry, try adding chopped rhubarb instead of carrot, potato or one of the other ingredients, or as well as those ingredients. Rhubarb has a savory flavor if you do not sweeten it, which is why it is just as good in stews, curries and other slow-cooked dishes as it is in dessert recipes.
Some Rhubarb Trivia
Did you know that rhubarb grown in a hothouse is more delicate in flavor and paler in color than field rhubarb, or that rhubarb was mainly viewed as a laxative remedy until the 1800s when it was used as an ingredient in cooking? Rhubarb is high in potassium and it was used in China as a cure for tired blood. Rhubarb is a fascinating ingredient and there are lots of rhubarb facts which might interest you.
Rhubarb wine is distilled in Italy. This vegetable which thinks it is a fruit is not only used in meals and desserts, but also makes a sweet and flavorful wine. The leaves of the rhubarb plant contain sodium oxalate, which is toxic and can cause digestive issues, so remove those before preparing the rhubarb stalks for your recipes.
Wrap rhubarb stalks in plastic and keep them in the refrigerator for a day or two. Try combining rhubarb with ginger to make a great jam, tart, puree, beverage, or pie filling. Rhubarb is also great with strawberries, apples, blackberries, and other fruits, or you can chop it and add it to your next beef or chicken stew, or even use it as one of your veggies in the next curry you make. Rhubarb will blow you away with its versatility.
The next time you are making rhubarb recipes you can ask your friends how many of these rhubarb facts they already know. Many people love the flavor of rhubarb but know very little about the plant. It is always worth learning about your ingredients though, so you can appreciate the finished dishes even more.
The True Rhubarb Family
Plants known as Spanish rhubarb, mountain rhubarb, monk's rhubarb, and wild rhubarb might sound like rhubarb but they are not! These vegetables belong to the sorrel family. True rhubarb is related to buckwheat and dock. There are a few plants which are confused with rhubarb, either because of the size and shape of the leaves or because of the similarity with the stalks.
Spinach rhubarb has rhubarb-like leaf stems but is not rhubarb, and neither is burdock, which looks like rhubarb when young. Wild rhubarb was used by Indians to soften their buckskins because it contains tannin. The root was used to make a tea which cured diarrhea. The tea was also gargled with to ease a sore throat.
Other Plants Similar to Rhubarb
Donkey rhubarb or Japanese knotweed has reddish brown stalks with broad pointed leaves. This is not edible although it looks a bit like rhubarb. Indian rhubarb or umbrella plant features leafless stems of rich pink flowers. These disappear later in the spring and are replaced with huge umbrella-like leaves which adopt a rich color in the fall if they are grown in full sun.
Bog rhubarb is also known as butterbur, plague flower, and langwort. It has a stout and fleshy root-stock and the plant creeps, sending up flowers before the leaves show. Bog rhubarb leaves used to be used for wrapping butter but it is now know they contain toxic alkaloids. The flowers were used in an attempt to cure bubonic plague a few hundred years ago.