In my first year at High School the Form Teacher thought she'd introduce us to cryptic crossword clues. (I had already started to do the cryptic version of the daily crossword in The Sun. I liked that one because there were "two sets of clues but the answers are the same". Is it still like that?
Anyway, Miss Waller gave a clue which was "A pinch from father". The answer is, of course, parsnip. I think of that clue every time I think of that particular vegetable.
I said I'd peel and parboil them and freeze them, which I did. I decided to try parnsip crisps as well, and couldn't remember what I'd done before.
I thought I'd make some notes this time, so I don't have to relearn (again) next year.
Attempt1. Uncooked, Uncored. Thinnest mandoline setting. 190 degrees
Edible. Like the ones in the bags. Sort of crisp but sort of chewy.
Attempt 2: stick some of the attempt 1 pieces in the dehydrator to dry them out. Improved them.
Attempt3: Cooked (over cooked actually, 3 mins pressure), uncored. 2nd thinnest mandoline setting (because they went to mush on the thinnest). Vile, Too woody. Too thick
Attempt4: Cooked (from theovercooked batch), cored after cooking 2nd thinnest setting.A bit thick but not badAttempt 5: Uncooked, cored. Thinnest mandoline setting.Not bad. They taste a bit raw now I've had a cooked batch
Attempt 6: Cooked (over cooked actually, even though only 1 min pressure), Cored before cooking. thinnest mandoline setting. Not easy to slice. Taste OK
Attempt 7: Put some of Attempt 6 in the fridge, to see if it's easier to slice when chilled. Didn't get around to doing anything and it's still sitting in the fridge.
Learning for Next Time::
- Always put the grill thingy on the top otherwise the pieces fly around and get stuck to the element.
- I used an oil spray, with sunflower oil, every time. I cooked repeatedly at 2 minute intervals, until done.
- It has to be the thinnest mandoline setting
- They improve as they cool
- Start with Attempt 6 or 7. for Attempt 8, try dehydrating end result.
