Grilled BBQ Daikon

You won’t miss the meat with this Grilled BBQ Daikon recipe from Maddie & Kiki’s BBQ Barn! Daikon radish soaks up the flavor of whatever it’s cooked in, making it a great option for a vegetarian main. The daikon is first braised in a flavorful broth, then brushed with BBQ sauce and grilled to create the classic charred and caramelized exterior of meat on the barbie.

Ingredients:

Daikon:

• 1 large daikon radish, peeled (roughly 2 pounds)
• 2 quarts (2 L) vegetable stock
• 3 cups (710 ml) lager beer
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) molasses
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce
• ¼ red onion, sliced thin
• ¼ bunch cilantro, chopped

BBQ Sauce:

• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) Mexican chili powder
• 1 cup (240 ml) canned tomatoes with juice
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) tomato paste
• ¼ cup (60 ml) brown sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) malt vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) hot mustard

Method:

• Cut the peeled daikon into 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick slices, then cut those slices into quarters.
• Return the daikon to the saucepan and add the vegetable stock, beer, molasses, and soy sauce. Bring the ingredients to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes.
• Remove the daikon from the liquid and set aside.

Make the BBQ Sauce:

• Heat vegetable oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and sweat for 3-4 minutes, until translucent.
• Add the chili powder and heat, stirring, until aromatic.
• Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, and mustard. Bring to a simmer, lower heat and cook for 15-20 minutes until the flavors marry.
• Blend until smooth. Season with salt and plenty of pepper.

To finish:

• Preheat grill to medium-high heat or set up a grill pan.
• Skewer the radish pieces on metal or wooden skewers.
• Brush the BBQ Sauce over the skewers. Grill the skewers while basting every couple of minutes with the sauce, roughly 3-5 minutes on each side or until caramelized and lightly charred.
• Repeat basting as the skewers are cooking. Garnish the skewers with thinly sliced red onion and chopped cilantro and serve.