How to make Apfelkren - Austrian Horseradish Sauce

Apple horseradish sauce (in German: Apfelkren), is a delicious, gluten-free sauce that pairs well with a Christmassy Tafelspitz (prime boiled beef), grilled meats in the summer, roast beef, Easter ham, or a delicious air fryer turkey breast! 

Why will you love apple horseradish?

Homemade apple horseradish sauce is the perfect combination of spiciness and sweetness. Both flavors are well-balanced and do not overpower the taste of the meat. Your guests will be impressed when you serve them this so easy-to-prepare delicacy!

🥘 Ingredients

• 12.7 oz (360 g) Apple Sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 2-3 tablespoon Horseradish (depends on how spicy and intense you want it)

Prepared horseradish or fresh?

There is the option to buy prepared horseradish at most grocery stores. Still, I would rather advise you against this option. Prepared horseradish is, in most cases, not very finely grated and has much less pungency than freshly grated.

If you have the opportunity, then pick fresh horseradish when buying and grate it yourself. A freshly grated horseradish root surpasses the taste of the prepared by far. Although not as long as the prepared, the unpeeled horseradish root itself keeps fresh for a few weeks in the refrigerator.

Related recipes: Tafelspitz (Austrian Prime Boiled Beef), Erdäpfelschmarrn (Austrian grated pan-fried potatoes), and Chives Sauce.

🍽 Equipment

• Small mixing bowl
• Grater
• Tablespoon
• Cutting board

🔪 Instructions

What I particularly like about this recipe is that it is straightforward and quick to prepare. 

Peel off the bottom part of the horseradish root you want to grate. If you find green parts under the peel, cut them away, as they can have a bitter taste. Then, grate as much horseradish as you require.

When grating, place the root on the grating surface at a 90-degree angle. Otherwise, it may fray, and the horseradish becomes fibrous, which is undesirable. 

Since the mustard oils from horseradish cause tearing of the eyes, it is best to rub with the window open or under the range hood. 

Now take the store-bought or homemade applesauce, pour it into a small mixing bowl, and gradually add the freshly grated horseradish with a tablespoon. It is better to be careful here and taste in between until you achieve the desired flavor. Don't forget: you can always add more! 😀

Mix the applesauce with the apple horseradish and voilà! Done! So simple and fast!

Serve the apple horseradish either directly on the plate or in small bowls to be taken separately. 

How to make Homemade Apple Sauce without Sugar

Peel and coarsely chop 5 apples (approx. 28.22 oz / 800 g). Place in a large cooking pot and add 3.38 oz / 100 ml of water and the juice of half a lemon. Cook the apples on low heat for about 20-30 minutes. After the cooking time, blend the applesauce with a hand blender.

If you wanna have apples available at home all-year-round, to make delicious Apfelkren or other scrumptious apple dishes, then check out Kristen Woods List of excellent storage apples that are well-suited to long-term storage.

🙋🏻 FAQ

What is horseradish?

What is known as horseradish is the root of the horseradish plant. It belongs to the cruciferous family, just like cabbage, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, radish, and cress.

What does horseradish taste like?

If you are unfamiliar with the taste of horseradish, it has a hot, spicy, and peppery flavor. And when paired with smooth and creamy sour cream, like in this sauce, they balance each other out perfectly.

Source: lifesambrosia.com

Is Horseradish healthy?

The mustard oils, vitamins, and minerals in horseradish have a disinfecting, cleansing, circulatory, and antibacterial effect. In addition, the vitamins of horseradish and its essential oils with the active ingredient sinigrin have an antibiotic effect and make it a recommended preventive against colds. It also strengthens the body's defenses and is having a cough-relieving impact.

How to Store Horseradish?

• Fresh, unpeeled horseradish will keep in the refrigerator for at least two weeks. It is best to wrap it in a cloth moistened with vinegar and put it in the vegetable cooler.
• You can freeze the unpeeled root as well as the grated horseradish in a sealed container. However, there will be a loss of aroma and spice.
• The root should not be dried. It loses its volatile oil and thus also the typical pungent taste.

How long will horseradish sauce keep?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it should keep for up to 3 months. If it starts to separate, just give it a quick stir.

Source: missinthekitchen.com

📖 Recipe

⛑️ Food Safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

For further information, check Safe Food Handling - FDA.