In his version of the Greek garlic-almond spread known as skordalia, Hugh Acheson uses celery root in place of the traditional potatoes and blends it with plenty of olive oil, so it's nicely creamy. Party Dips and Spreads
How to Make It
Preheat the oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, cover the garlic with the oil and simmer over low heat until the garlic is tender, about 12 minutes. Let the garlic stand in the oil.
Using a sharp knife, peel the celery root and cut into 1-inch cubes. In a saucepan, cover the celery root with water and bring to a boil. Add a large pinch of salt and simmer over moderate heat until tender, 25 minutes. Drain and spread out on a work surface or baking sheet. Let dry for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, spread the almonds in a pie plate and toast in the oven for about 7 minutes, until golden. Let cool. Transfer the celery root to a food processor. Using a slotted spoon, add the cooked garlic, then add the toasted almonds and lemon juice and puree. With the machine on, gradually pour in the garlic-infused olive oil. Season the skordalia with salt, stir in 1/4 cup of water and serve.
