Blanched Crudites Recipes

CRUDITES WREATH

Steps:

• Make the dip: Heat the olive oil in a small saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of water and the balsamic vinegar, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are soft and caramelized, 12 to 15 minutes; let cool slightly.
• Combine the shallots, yogurt, milk, chives, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl and stir until well blended. Cover and chill for 30 minutes before serving. The dip will keep, refrigerated, overnight if you want to make ahead of time.
• While the dip chills, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat and season generously with salt. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Set aside.
• Carefully place the broccoli or broccolini into the boiling water, and cook just until the florets turn bright green and are crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the broccoli to the ice-water bath to stop the cooking and to preserve the bright green color. Once cool, transfer the broccoli to a paper towel-lined plate to dry.
• Place the green beans in the boiling water and cook just until the beans turn bright green, about 1 minute. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the green beans to the ice-water bath to stop the cooking and to preserve the bright green color. Once cool, transfer the green beans to a paper towel-lined plate to dry.
• Add the Romanesco cauliflower to the boiling water and cook just until the cauliflower turns bright green and is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer the cauliflower to the ice-water bath to cool, then to a paper towel-lined plate to dry.
• Heat a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil, shishito peppers and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, tossing, until they begin to blister in spots, about 2 minutes. (Do not overcook the peppers or they will lose their color and become too soft.) Remove the peppers from the pan and set aside to cool.
• On a round platter 18 inches in diameter, arrange the broccoli, green beans, cauliflower and shishito peppers into a large ring with a hole in the center to create a ¿wreath¿ shape, making sure to alternate the vegetables throughout. Add three clusters of cherry tomatoes (three tomatoes per cluster) to create accent "ornaments." Serve with the onion dip.

CRUDITE PLATTER

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Fill a large bowl with ice water and salt generously. Drop the beans into the boiling water and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Scoop them out of the water and immediately plunge the beans into the ice water, to stop their cooking and set the color. Cool, remove them from the ice bath, and pat dry. Repeat with the broccoli and asparagus. (The asparagus may take a minute less, depending on their size.)
• Attractively arrange all the vegetables on a large serving platter and serve with the dip of your choice.
• Drain the yogurt in a coffee filter or cheese cloth-lined sieve, set over a bowl, until thickened to about 1 cup, about 2 hours.
• Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the curry and cook, stirring, until fragrant about 30 seconds more. Set aside to cool.
• In a bowl, combine the drained yogurt, curry mixture, mayonnaise, chutney, scallion, hot sauce, lime juice, and coriander. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Yield: about 2 cups
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a roasting pan, rub the 2 onions in their skins with the 2 tablespoons oil. Bake until squishy soft, turning them once, about 45 minutes. Set aside to cool completely. Peel the onions and set aside.
• Meanwhile, finely dice the remaining onion. Preheat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 cup oil and heat until hot. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally until they just begin to lightly brown, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 18 minutes more. Strain the onions through a sieve over a bowl. Transfer the onions to a paper towel-lined plate and spread them into a single layer. Reserve 1/4 cup of the onion oil and let it cool completely. (Reserve the remaining oil for dressings or marinades.)
• Puree the roasted onions in a food processor. Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, and salt, and pulse until smooth. While the motor is running, drizzle in the 1/4 cup of reserved onion oil until incorporated. Season with pepper and hot sauce, to taste. Transfer the onion dip to a serving bowl and stir in the scallion. Refrigerate until very thick, about 3 hours or overnight.
• When ready to serve top with the fried onions.
• Yield: about 4 cups

BLANCHED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Prepare 1 1/2 pounds medium-thick asparagus (see Rinse and Snap). Have a large bowl of ice water ready. In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups water to a boil. Season with 2 tablespoons coarse salt, and add asparagus; boil until tender, 3 to 4 minutes (depending on thickness).
• Remove with tongs, or drain in a colander, and immediately transfer to ice water for 1 minute to stop the cooking process. Drain; refrigerate until completely chilled.