For many, the humble parsnip is the unsung hero of the Sunday roast, often overshadowed by golden roast potatoes and succulent meats. Yet, when prepared correctly, this root vegetable can be a show-stopping side dish, offering a sublime combination of sweetness and a satisfying crispy texture.
The MasterChef Tip That Changes Everything
Jordan Sproule, a former contestant on the popular BBC show MasterChef, has taken to social media to share his fail-safe method for creating the ultimate roasted parsnips. His viral TikTok recipe hinges on one crucial ingredient and its precise application, arguing that most home cooks get the timing wrong, leading to disappointing, floppy results.
Sproule's process begins traditionally: peel the parsnips, trim the ends, and halve them lengthways. His first piece of advice is to keep the pieces chunky to ensure a fluffy interior and a better surface for crisping. He then parboils them in heavily salted water for five minutes before draining and setting aside to cool.
The Crucial Step Most People Miss
Here is where the magic happens. Instead of reaching for oil, Sproule melts butter in the same pan used for boiling. The cooled parsnips are tossed in this melted butter, which he says is essential for both enhancing flavour and achieving that coveted crispy finish.
However, the real game-changer is the honey. According to the chef, timing is absolutely critical. "You must cook your parsnips for 30 minutes before adding the honey," Sproule advises. Adding the sweet glaze too early risks burning it, which can impart a bitter taste and spoil the entire batch.
After the initial half-hour roast, when the parsnips have begun to brown, they should be flipped, drizzled with honey, and returned to the oven for a final five minutes. This final blast allows them to reach their full golden, crispy potential without the sugar scorching.
How to Perfect Your Parsnips at Home
For those wanting to try the technique, here is a simple guide based on the chef's method.
Ingredients:
- Parsnips (roughly 500g for four people)
- Butter (for melting and coating)
- Salt
- Honey for glazing
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (fan 180°C).
- Prepare the parsnips as described, keeping them in large pieces.
- Parboil in salted water for 5 minutes, then drain and cool.
- Melt butter in a pan and toss the cooled parsnips to coat.
- Arrange on a roasting tray and cook for 30 minutes.
- Remove, flip the parsnips, drizzle with honey, and roast for a further 5 minutes until perfectly golden and crisp.
By following these steps and heeding the expert advice on using butter and timing the honey glaze, your roast dinner centrepiece will have serious competition from this revitalised classic side. No more soggy middles, just perfectly crispy roast parsnips worthy of any celebration.
