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I was in Copenhagen and I saw a restaurant that had a giant butter tower. They just set it out for people to help themselves, and I loved it. The obvious pairing for me was radishes with a little salty chive surprise inside! So I made this Whipped Butter Radish Tower recipe with toasted ciabatta bread to dip in it! I love the contrast of the soft butter, flaky salt, herby chives and, of course, the cold and crisp radishes!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Whipped Butter Radish Tower
Radishes and butter are a classic French pairing. If you haven’t tried this, you are missing out! The paper-thin radishes are a delicious crunchy pop in the rich herby butter, and then you dip your ciabatta bread that has been toasted in olive oil, there’s just no beating it.
Prep Like a Pro
Start with a high-quality butter! This is the main ingredient in this Whipped Butter Radish Tower recipe, so make sure it is a star. My favorite has been Kerrygold for a long time, but you can go with whatever your favorite butter is.
Prep the produce – Wash, dry and then finely chop your chives. Wash and then thinly slice your radishes with a mandoline. Dry the radishes very, very well. Moisture is the enemy when working with butter.
Toast your ciabatta – I like to toast my bread in a skillet with olive oil. You do you, but that’s my favorite way to make it and it tastes amazing dipped in this butter!
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🔥Chef Nadia’s Tip🔥
- Make sure you are using a high-quality butter. The butter is the star of this dish so it really makes a difference.
- Slice your radishes thin! The mandolin will be your best friend here. Make sure you pat dry them EXTREMELY well. Radishes can weep, and a watery butter is not what we are going for here.
Substitutions
- Butter → Use a cultured butter if you want a tangier flavor.
- Herbs → Swap your chives for whatever your favorites are. Just make sure whatever herb you choose is fresh and finely chopped.
- Olive Oil → You can use grapeseed or olive oil to toast your baguettes in. Make sure you like the taste of whatever oil you use because you will taste it.
The Perfect Pairings
A perfect drink to go with this Whipped Butter Radish Tower recipe would be my Frozignon Blanc. For your main, a French Onion Orecchiette, which would also be amazing with the toasted ciabatta bread! A fresh Arugula Fennel Salad is a must. Finish your night with caramelized Amaretto Peaches.
Whipped Butter Radish Tower: Questions Answered
You can make parts ahead. You can whip the butter 2-3 days ahead, then store it sealed in the fridge. Let it soften on the counter for 30-45 minutes so it is spreadable again. The radishes and assembling the tower are best done the day of.
You can, just try to get the slices as thin and as uniform as possible.
It is!
Whipped Butter Radish Tower
Equipment
- Bowl
- mixer
Ingredients
- 8 oz unsalted butter, room temp
- 3 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 lemon, zest only
- 6-8 french radishes
- ¼ cup chives, chopped
- flaky salt, to taste
- 1 loaf ciabata, sliced and toasted with olive oil
Instructions
- To a bowl, whip room temperature butter, lemon zest and heavy cream with a mixer until fluffy and soft, about 5 minutes. Make sure not to over whip.
- Shave your radishes very thin, preferably with a mandoline. Pat dry very well.
- To a serving plate, add a dollop of the butter, chives, flaky salt, repeat 3-4 times making each layer a little smaller than the last.
- Arrange the radishes in your butter tower.
- Serve you whipped butter and radish tower with toasted ciabatta slices and enjoy.
Kitchen Cam
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Is there a good substitute for french radishes? Neither of the specialty grocers in my city carry them.
Hi Nina,
You can just use whatever your favorite radishes are or regular radishes if you don’t have a favorite. Honestly, any radish works for this recipe. Let me know how you like it!