How to Boil a Turnip and Hidden Sweets
Ever since St. Patty’s Day, I’ve been craving turnip! On St. Patrick’s Day each year, my mom makes the yummiest boiled dinner with corn beef, cabbage, potatoes, and turnips. Unfortunately, I missed out on her boiled dinner this year, but the thought of turnips remained!
Tonight’s dinner was brown rice mixed with black beans and cubed boiled turnip on the side. The combo was exactly what I was craving!
How to Boil a Turnip
- If there is a stem, remove it from turnip before cutting into large chunks. (I quartered mine.) No need to peel the turnip before boiling.
- Submerge turnip pieces in boiling water.
- Cook for approximately 10-15 minutes until turnip can easily be pierced with a fork.
- Allow to cool for 5-7 minutes.
- Peal skin and cube turnip into bite-size pieces.
Rice and beans and turnip…
Dessert was my usual, but this time on an Arnold Sandwich Thin.
Afternoon Sweets
I escaped the office for an afternoon walk today and ended up at a candy store called Hidden Sweets in Harvard Square. Hidden Sweets is more than just a candy store– they carry souvenirs, apparel, party supplies, and so much more. Obviously, I was only interested in the candy! 
Hidden Sweets has the best mix & match candy bins! The selection is incredible!
Highlights from my candy bag: peach rings, chocolate-covered cookie dough, double-dipped malt balls, dark chocolate-covered hazelnuts, peanut butter malt balls, white chocolate-covered oreos, chocolate-covered brownie bites…
Oooooh, I was in heaven! 
Lunch
Today’s lunch was a pita pizza with green peppers and onion, cucumber slices and celery, a Pure Bar, and a pear. It was sort of a boring lunch, but it filled me up and did the trick.
Yoga Challenge: Day 26
I wasn’t really planning to practice yoga tonight, but after slouching on the couch for an hour or so, my back needed a serious strreeettcchhch, so I decided to do 20 minutes of Gentle Hath Yoga #2 from YogaDownload.com. Surprisingly, I have never done this particular session before, but I am SO glad that I did! It included lots of spinal twists and “rinsing” as well as heart-opening poses, which were “just what the doctored ordered” for my tight shoulders, upper back, and poor posture– it was almost like getting a massage! This is the perfect yoga session for those of you who sit at a desk all day long.
Leave your comments about Yoga Challenge: Day 26 on this post. I am working on putting together your comments from the last couple of days.
I blew off the gym tonight to catch up with my DVR shows, so I am off to relax and veg-out! Night, guys!
Tags: how to cook a turnip
Mara @ What's For Dinner? — March 26, 2009 @ 7:17 pm
TINA! You got Peachy-O’s at that candy store! Those are my FAVORITE!
Thanks for the turnip tips…maybe cooked right, i’d like them.
Maria — March 26, 2009 @ 7:17 pm
That looks like a fun candy store! Glad you had fun!
Amy — March 26, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
Chocolate covered cookie dough? Get out of here! I need to sample some immediately!
I love the yellow color of the turnip…I was expecting reddish pink? I think I’m picturing a radish, oops
Jess — March 26, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
Hi Tina! I was just wondering if you add any spices/sauce to your rice and beans? Thanks!
Mizz Independent — March 26, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
Have definitely popped into Hidden Sweets while walking around Harvard Square. It’s a dangerous spot!
Tina — March 26, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
@Jess: I don’t, but Mal usually adds salt, pepper, and soy sauce.
Meg — March 26, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
Chocolate covered cookie dough!?! OMG I need to make a road trip to boston!!
Tyler (Raspberry Runner) — March 26, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
holy candy heaven!!!!
runningwithin — March 26, 2009 @ 7:43 pm
Oh my goodness, I think that candy store was pulled out of my wildest fantasies, it looks AMAZING! And now I’m craving chocolate covered cookie dough, and those fabulous raspberry gummies I see in the corner of your bag, thanks Tina ; )
VeggieGirl — March 26, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
HOLY YUM EATS & SWEETS!!
life coach jen — March 26, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
I am going to admit that I have never had a turnip before, but some how reading about your dinner and seeing the pic of the finished turnip make it look very enticing. I’ll have to try it out!
Dori — March 26, 2009 @ 8:00 pm
The candy store sounds amazing — White chocolate covered oreos! I never saw that before!
Kara — March 26, 2009 @ 8:08 pm
Mmmm I love candy bins!!!!
Day 26: Skipped my class and did 60 minutes of Detox Yoga at home instead. That sucker was rough!!! I feel food though, and I think I’ll be sore tomorrow!
Sammie — March 26, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
WOW that is s candy lovers paradise. I have never even heard of that place. Maybe the next time we head to the city we will hit it up. I can just see the 3 of us now – SUGAR HIGH!!! Glad you had yourself a fun excursion this afternoon.
K — March 26, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
That candy shop is so cute! I love places that you can mix and match to get what you want!
Marianne — March 26, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
Turnips are awesome mashed and mixed with mashed potato with a little bit of butter
“Nips & Tatties” I believe is what it’s called.
And that is candy nirvana. I’m sure you could find anything you desire to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Pearl — March 26, 2009 @ 8:41 pm
oh my gosh – i think i may have to go to harvard just for that candy store!
Erin — March 26, 2009 @ 9:05 pm
Those pita pizzas look really good & I love creative uses for regular foods.
(((candy stores)))
junghwa — March 26, 2009 @ 9:15 pm
Love PURE bars ;]
for Yoga Day 26: Booty Asana Flow + Yoga for Core + Fists of Fire Detox
Dulcie — March 26, 2009 @ 9:35 pm
Wow that’s an amazing candy selection. I would be in complete heaven there!!
I don’t think that’s a boring lunch at all, especially with the pita pizza and PureBar. YUM
Brandi — March 26, 2009 @ 9:42 pm
that candy place looks so cool! chocolate covered cookie dough? yum.
I did a lot of extra stretching out at work today – it’s been a stressful week and I’ve been needing it during the work day! I need to see if I can find a good place to hide at work and do a whole class
Victoria — March 26, 2009 @ 10:10 pm
That candy shop sounds amazing! Man, I just could not get my act together today — I planned on some yoga all afternoon, but instead I chilled on the couch and surfed the web. I’m hoping I can convince myself to do some before bed.
emily — March 26, 2009 @ 10:31 pm
I love candy stores like that! Dylan’s Candy Bar in NYC is like my temple!
rhodeygirl — March 26, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
sometimes catching up on dvr is the priority!!!!!!!
almost friday…….
strawberry — March 26, 2009 @ 10:47 pm
i was trying to convince myself that i didn’t need to do my yoga practice today, too! but finally (like you) i just decided to DO IT and it felt sooo good. i’ve been doing the detox flow class from yogadownloads and it’s such a great workout, i feel so healthy and happy after i do it.
Katie R — March 26, 2009 @ 11:05 pm
Today I did the P90X Yoga DVD (again). This is such a good workout! I love how accomplished I feel when I complete the 40+ minutes of Vinyasas, 20+ minutes of balancing poses, and 10+ minutes of hard-core ab work! If you’re looking for a more aerobic or strength challenging yoga, try this DVD!
Meghan — March 27, 2009 @ 1:17 am
I LOVE HIDDEN SWEETS! The chocolate covered brownie bites are to die for!!
Caroline — March 27, 2009 @ 1:45 am
Ya know, I don’t think I’ve ever had a turnip–turnip greens, yes, but never an actual turnip. Thanks for the info!
I love your foodie field trips!
Hallie — March 27, 2009 @ 2:04 am
Holy moly look at that selection! I’d have trouble not making my bag 3 pounds with all those choices! I seriously love candy…I’ve been trying to cut back on my sugar intake, but “trying” is definitely the operative word! It’s difficult, especially with bulk candy places like the one you visited!
Ashley C. — March 27, 2009 @ 2:47 am
oh my gosh- I have to go to hidden sweets if I’m ever in Boston– chocolate covered cookie dough?! Sounds amazing!!
Tina — March 27, 2009 @ 6:48 am
Oh wow, Hidden Sweets looks amazing! Here in Sweden we’ve got “mix match bins” of candy in grocery stores. It’s a staple thing here in Sweden which is something Swedes often talk about when they move abroad – the mix and match candy bins are what they miss the most. I know I did when I moved to Prague for a period of time. But the selection at Hidden Sweets sounds amazing. Wow, I’d leave with a 10 lb bag of candy!
Meg C. — March 27, 2009 @ 7:08 am
I looove Hidden Sweets. As a former gummy addict I used to hit up that place all the time. yums!
Kate — March 27, 2009 @ 8:39 am
Oh boy I am such a sucker for candy. I love all the good old-fashioned candies like taffy and real licorice! Too bad they’re not filling AT ALL b/c I can easily go through a bag if I’m not careful! Your dessert is so cute and yummy looking!
Megan — March 27, 2009 @ 11:41 am
Mmm, I love bulk candy! The only problem is – it is SO expensive here in NYC. My boyfriend is addicted to mini chocolate covered oreos and I recently made him some in my kitchen so he doesn’t have to shell out $10 per lb.
http://runnerskitchen.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/chocolate-covered-mini-oreos/
Shelby — March 27, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
Love the candy bag, how fun!
So Fresh and So Clean – Carrots ‘N’ Cake — March 29, 2009 @ 7:22 pm
[...] How to Boil a Turnip and Hidden Sweets [...]
Sarah — March 30, 2009 @ 9:53 am
Ah! That candy store! I thought you were supposed to be inspiring us to live healthy lives.
Laura — March 30, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
I love to eat all sorts of unique foods, but I don’t think I have ever even seen a turnip! I am intrigued! What does it taste like? Do you just eat it plain, or do you add anything to season it?
Tina — March 30, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
@Laura: I eat my turnip without any sort of seasoning, but it general, I don’t like any seasoning on my veggies. You should definitely try one!