Rhubarb Chicken (Savory Rhubarb Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

How do you get the most flavour out of rhubarb? ›

"You want to peel off the first layer, and then you want to simmer it with some brown sugar and ginger," he explains. "Once you let it simmer, and it's soft, let it sit overnight. Now you have these tender ribbons that you can jar up, or you can put them on anything."

Rhubarb is known for its tart flavour and although it can be eaten raw, it is usually enjoy cooked with sugar (or any type of sweetener) which balances out the tangy rhubarb flavor.

Not only does rhubarb need sweetness to temper its tart flavor, the sugar helps break down the fibrous, stringy stalks. A good starting point is to use a scant 1 cup granulated sugar for 4 cups of chopped rhubarb. Adjust according to your preferences.

Too sour on its own, sugar is a necessary companion. Like strawberries, the combination balances out the rhubarb's sour-bitter flavour.

This spiced rhubarb crumble recipe is a tasty twist on the classic pudding. Cardamom, orange and cinnamon all lift the flavour while keeping it a classic. Just add custard.

Rhubarb also pairs well with strawberries and vanilla. Strawberry neutralizes some of its tartness, while vanilla extract enhances its sweetness.

To keep it sugar free you could use a little stevia, for a low fructose option you could use either rice syrup or coconut nectar, or if you're a honey fan a little raw honey combines beautifully with the ginger and vanilla.

Rhubarb grows best in an open, sunny site with fertile, moist but free-draining soil. It will also cope in light shade. Avoid ground that gets waterlogged, as plants are liable to rot. If your soil is heavy, plant in raised beds or large containers.

Rhubarb is a lip-puckeringly tart vegetable that pops up in spring. Because of that sourness, it is often paired with sugar to make it more palatable, but it can be enjoyed in savory dishes, too.

Does rhubarb need a lot of sugar? ›

Rhubarb can be eaten in a number of ways. It is usually used in jams and desserts, which contain plenty of added sugar. Make sure to cut off the tops and bottoms of the stalks and discard the leaves before cooking. That said, it's easy to use in low-sugar recipes — or even cooked with no sugar at all.

If you have never tried rhubarb I would recommend you first taste it with sugar, honey or a sugar substitute to take care of the tart flavor of rhubarb. Yes, rhubarb is naturally a tart vegetable. (It IS a veggie, not a fruit, although it is often "treated" as a fruit).

Cut into sticks. Scatter with sugar, add a splash of water and simmer gently for 8 minutes until soft and longer to cook it to a puree or compote.

If you already have kidney disease, avoid rhubarb. Kidney stones: Rhubarb contains a chemical that the body can convert into kidney stones. If you have ever had kidney stones, don't take rhubarb. Liver problems: Rhubarb can make liver function worse in people who already have liver problems.

Incorporating coffee grounds into the soil around rhubarb plants can improve soil structure, promote microbial activity, and enhance overall plant health. Also, coffee grounds can help deter certain pests, such as slugs and snails, which may damage rhubarb foliage.

Limp rhubarb can be perked up by standing the stems upright in chilled water for about an hour.

Neutralizing Rhubarb's Acidity

Once the rhubarb has given up its juices, pull it from the oven and stir in a quarter teaspoon of baking soda using a heat-resistant spatula.

Wash rhubarb with cool tap water, but do not soak.

Plant Care

Once established, rhubarb needs little maintenance, apart from removing flower stems and faded leaves, and mulching in spring. For a prized crop of early, sweeter stalks, you can blanch (or force) them in winter. Clumps should also be divided once they become overcrowded.