Crudités With Vodka Lemon Cream Cheese Recipes

CRUDITéS WITH VODKA LEMON CREAM CHEESE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, vodka and lemon juice. Stir in dill and salt.
• Trim vegetables into bite sized pieces.
• Arrange cut vegetables on a platter with cream cheese in the center. Garnish with chopped chives.

BLANCHED CRUDITES

Steps:

• Prepare a large pot of boiling salted water, and fill a large bowl with ice water.
• Remove the tough bottoms of the asparagus stalks. If they are thick, peel the stems half-way up the stalk.
• Add the carrots to the pot of boiling water and blanch for 1 minute. Immediately remove the carrots with a slotted spoon and plunge them in the bowl of ice water. Drain the carrots when fully cooled.
• Add the asparagus to the boiling water and blanch for 1 minute. Immediately remove the asparagus with a slotted spoon and plunge them into the reserved bowl of ice water. Drain the asparagus when fully cooled.
• Slice the radicchio into wedges.
• Arrange the carrots, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and radicchio on a platter and serve with the Herb Dip.
• Place the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, scallions, parsley, dill, salt, and pepper in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and blend. Serve at room temperature.

CRUDITéS WITH LEMON-PESTO GOAT CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• Arrange vegetables on platter; cover and chill. Blend cheese, sour cream, 1/4 cup pesto, lemon juice, and lemon peel in processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving bowl. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
• Top dip with dollops of remaining 2 tablespoons pesto. Sprinkle dip with toasted pine nuts. Serve dip alongside platter of assorted vegetables.

BEST VODKA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan over high heat until the surface is very hot; add minced garlic and sear until brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour vodka into the saucepan, taking care to avoid any flames that ignite from the alcohol meeting the hot surface of the pan. Quickly pour cream into pan to douse the flames and stir; add tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, basil, and parsley.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, remove from heat, and rest sauce long enough to let herbs flavor the sauce, 5 to 10 minutes.