Radish Sandwich With Butter And Salt: A French Treat Made Easy

The radish sandwich with butter and salt is possibly one of the greatest snacks ever invented.   It hits all the right flavor notes.  It’s savory, salty, creamy and crunchy all in one toasty snack. 

Radishes are commonly used for garnishes, picked and kicked out of salads, and left to go into the garbage.  They are relegated to the extraordinarily beautiful color to decorate your buffet yet always overlooked as something you should actually eat.

However, radishes sliced and stacked on a hearty slice of toast coated with salty butter? Now we have a party.

This is a French concoction and as usual with regard to cooking, they hit it out of the park again.  The French figured out that butter cuts the heat of the radish and better balances out the flavors. 

It seems radishes are more popular with rabbits than people. A study done for the frozen foods company, Dr. Praeger’s, revealed that radishes are among the top three most hated vegetables in America. 

Confession: I used to be one of those people. I’m not particularly fond of how radishes taste. Sure they’re crunchy and have a pleasing crispness to them but to me, they basically taste like spicy dirt. ***In walks butter and salt***

The radish sandwich with butter and salt: an epiphany. 

I finally found a way to enjoy radishes.  My sister and I read about this treat and wondered, “Could it really be that good?”  We rushed to the store for the ingredients and a new love affair was born.  Angels sang and happy food dances ensued. No longer would my radishes sit unloved rotting in the veggie drawer. 

Create the perfect radish sandwich

Splurge for higher quality ingredients with this recipe because every flavor comes through while melding perfectly with each other.

In creating the perfect sandwich, I always choose a good loaf of fresh artisanal bread. Toast it to a beautiful light golden brown, spreading the butter while it’s still warm. Use a high quality salted butter like Kerrygold or Plugra. It’s a little more expensive but the flavor payoff is SO worth it. These specialty butters are best on foods where the butter flavor is at the forefront, not mixed in. I don’t really ever bake with them because it seems like a waste.

Now for the radishes. Slice them thin and don’t be stingy with them! These are the centerpiece of your sandwich. Layer them on the bread in scalloped patterns. Radishes are so pretty so show them off.

Top your sandwich canvas off with a sprinkle of a high quality salt like Maldon, fleur de sel or a flaky sea salt.

Serve your sandwich either open faced (to show off those radishes in full color) or top them with another slice of buttery toast if you prefer. Et voila! Super delicious lunch.

Foodie Nerd Stuff:

Radishes are rich in antioxidants and protect your cells from damage. They contain compounds that can help regulate blood sugar levels and help enhance your hormones that protect against insulin resistance. Radishes contain other compounds that help flush out kidney toxins. Likewise, they help with liver detoxifying and healing.  They are also packed with vitamins C and B6 and loaded with potassium which are heart healthy.  Not only are they pretty, they’re good for you too!

If you’ve never tried this treat, please do.  I promise you’ll love how light and tasty it is.  They’re even elegant enough to serve them as an appetizer at a party or fun tea sandwiches for a luncheon (seriously, who doesn’t love those little sandwiches?).

Have a great meal!

Tracy from Real Not Perfect