Lord Commander’s Buttered Turnips | Game of Thrones Inspired Recipes
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“Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night’s Watch, for this night and all the nights to come.” – Oath of the Night’s Watch
If you aren’t caught up on the most recent season of Game of Thrones, BE WARNED! There’s gonna be BIG OL’ SPOILERS IN THIS POST!!
We need to talk about the original Lord Commander.
No, not Jeor Mormont…
Or Jon Snow…
Yes, I am referring to the Night King – or rather the THEORY that the Night King was once not only Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch – but a full-blooded Stark himself.
And what does that have to do with buttered turnips, you might ask?
Well, nothing really – but it IS an absolutely fascinating theory that I’ve fully bought into and you should too:
We already know that the Night King has breached the Wall, so it’s inevitable that he’ll soon be making his way to Winterfell to fight the Starks and reclaim the lands of the living for himself. What the Night King actually wants – and why the White Walkers returned at all – is a mystery that I’m positive will be revealed to us in the final season.
Jon Snow technically gave up his right as Lord Commander of the Wall when he reclaimed Winterfell, officially becoming the King in the North. He, as well as anyone, knows that the White Walkers will be next to impossible to stop unless he has a strong army to back him.
Though food is now becoming scarce as winter approaches, root vegetables like turnips stand up against the cold and are versatile enough to be cooked in a variety of ways. These turnips are cooked until they are as soft as butter – which is why they are called as such. The secret to perfect buttered turnips is an actual butter sauce – a tip straight from the Wildlings.
Whether you are supping at the Wall or at Winterfell, you can almost be assured that buttered turnips will be on the menu. They are as tasty as they are easy to cook – and Lord Commander knows, the easier the meal to prep, the faster his men can be fed, the stronger the army against the Night King.
Regardless if you believe that the ORIGINAL Lord Commander of the Wall is the Night King – or Bran – or Jon – or whoever will step up to the plate next, you can be assured that buttered turnips will always be on the menu at the Wall.
MORE GAME OF THRONES RECIPES ARE COMING!
Check back tomorrow for more GoT themed recipes!
This recipe was inspired by and modified from the recipe for Buttered Turnips in the Unofficial Game of Thrones Cookbook.
Here’s What You Need
- Turnips: The hearty base of the dish, perfect for roasting.
- Shallots: Adds a sweet, mild onion flavor.
- Butter, melted: For the rich, buttery sauce.
- Butter, sliced: Dotted on top for extra richness.
- Tarragon: Provides a slightly sweet, anise-like flavor.
- Garlic, minced: Adds a savory, aromatic note.
- Fresh dill: For a fresh, herbaceous kick.
- Smoked paprika: Adds a smoky, slightly spicy touch.
- Cracked black pepper: For seasoning and a bit of heat.
- Olive oil: Helps with roasting and adds flavor.
- Sugar: Balances the savory flavors.
- Capers: Adds a briny, tangy flavor.
Let’s Cook
First things first, wash those turnips to get rid of any dirt. Cut the tips flat, but don’t peel them entirely – we want to keep some of that rustic charm. Place each turnip cut-side down in a wooden spoon. This spoon trick helps you slice them without cutting all the way through. Slice diagonally to create those neat little triangle pieces that hold together at the bottom.
Do the same for the shallots. Remove their papery skins and tips, and use the same slicing technique so their bottoms stay connected.
Making the Butter Sauce
Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, tarragon, garlic, dill, smoked paprika, sugar, and a splash of olive oil.
Assembling and Baking
Arrange the shallots and turnips in a heavy, oven-safe pot. Pour that luscious butter sauce over them, making sure it gets into all the little crevices. Dot the tops with pats of sliced butter for extra decadence.
Sprinkle the smoked paprika across the tops, drizzle a bit more olive oil, and season generously with cracked black pepper.
Pop the pot into the oven and let it bake for about an hour and a half to two hours. You’ll know they’re done when the turnips are tender, golden, and pierce easily with a fork. Perfectly buttery and delicious!
Finishing Up
Once out of the oven, sprinkle some extra fresh dill on top for a fresh finish. Serve these beauties alongside some honeyed chicken, and you’ve got a meal fit for the Night’s Watch!
Tips for Perfect Buttered Turnips
- Keep the Turnips Connected: Make sure not to slice all the way through the turnips. This keeps them intact and easier to handle.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh dill and tarragon make a huge difference in flavor. If you must use dried, use half the amount.
- Butter it Up: Don’t skimp on the butter. It’s what gives these turnips their rich, decadent flavor.
- Even Roasting: Arrange the turnips and shallots in a single layer in your pot to ensure even cooking.
- Check for Tenderness: Bake until the turnips are easily pierced with a fork. This ensures they’re cooked through and have absorbed all the flavors.
Whether you believe the Night King is the original Lord Commander, Bran, or someone else, one thing’s for sure: buttered turnips are a staple that can warm even the coldest nights at the Wall. With their buttery, tender goodness, these turnips are a perfect side dish for any hearty meal, whether you’re feeding a band of brothers or your own family. Easy to make and delicious, this recipe will make you feel like you’re dining in the Great Hall of Winterfell. So gather your ingredients and get cooking – your watch might be over, but the feast has just begun.
Lord Commander’s Buttered Turnips | Game of Thrones Inspired Recipes
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash the turnips to remove any dirt. Remove the tips to create a flat base, but do not peel the entire turnip. Place the turnip in the bottom of a wooden spoon, cut side down, and use a sharp knife to cut diagonal slices into the turnip to create triangle pieces. Do not cut all the way through the turnip – they should still be connected at the bottom (the spoon will help prevent cutting all the way through).
- Remove the papery skin and tips from the shallots. Use the same method to slice the shallots – their bottoms should still be connected.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, tarragon, garlic, dill, and smoked paprika. Set aside.
- Arrange the shallots and turnips in the bottom of a heavy oven-safe pot. Pour the butter sauce over the turnips and shallots, making sure to get it in the crevices.
- Dot the tops of each turnip with a pat of butter. Sprinkle the smoked paprika across the tops of the turnips and shallots. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with cracked black pepper.
- Bake for an hour and a half to two hours – until the turnips are tender and golden on top. They should pierce easily with a fork. Enjoy with honeyed chicken at the Wall.
