Sarasotas Creamy Celery Recipes

SARASOTA'S CREAMY CELERY

Steps:

• Celery -- First, when cutting the celery, cut lengthwise and then cut in 1" pieces. This allows for quicker cooking.
• Then, in a medium saute pan, simmer the celery in the vegetable broth, covered, for approximately 12 minutes until tender.
• Sauce -- Drain the celery, but reserve the broth. Put the celery back in the pan and cover to stay warm as you make the sauce.
• In a small sauce pan, add the butter and melt on medium heat. Stir in the flour to make a roux and mix well for just a minute to get rid of the flour taste. Slowly whisk in the reserved broth and the cream. Keep on medium heat, you don't want it to boil. Continue to cook another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Season with the nutmeg, salt and pepper.
• Finishing -- Add the celery back in the sauce, parsley and cook another minute, check for seasoning once again and ENJOY!
• Serve -- This is a great comforting side dish which goes well with anything.

SARASOTA'S FRESH CRUNCHY CREAMY CELERY SALAD

Steps:

• Pecans -- In a small dry saute pan, add the pecans and bring to medium heat and toast for just a couple of minutes. Don't let them burn, they literally take, 1-2 minutes. Remove and set to the side.
• Salad -- Just add all the ingredients in a medium size bowl and toss well to combine. Garnish with the chopped celery leaves.
• Serve -- Just ENJOY! Try a simple roasted chicken and some hearty whole grain bread to along with this simple salad.

CREAMED CELERY

Steps:

• Simmer vegetables and rosemary in stock until tender (10 - 15 minutes.).
• In another sauce pan melt butter; blend in flour, salt and pepper.
• Add milk, cook until thickened.
• Stir sauce into undrained vegetables.

SARASOTA'S MINNESOTA TURKEY, MUSHROOM AND WILD RICE SOUP

Steps:

• Soup Base -- In a large pot, melt the butter and add the leeks, onions, celery, fennel and garlic and cook on medium heat until slightly translucent and soft. About 5 minutes.
• Rice -- Add the rice right to the vegetable mixture and stir until well combined - then add the broth (start with 5 cups; you can always add more as the rice cooks), thyme, rosemary, worcestershire and bay leaf. Cover and cook on low heat (simmer) approximately 30 minutes until the rice is somewhat tender. Once again, taste for seasoning (salt and pepper) and add more broth if necessary. It depends on how thin or thick you like your soup. The soup still has a bit more time to cook which will allow the rice to finish cooking.
• Mushrooms -- At this point, add the sherry wine and mushrooms and continue to cook another 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the mushrooms are soft.
• Finish -- Everything is done - Now to finish off the soup. First, add in the turkey or chicken; and add the heavy cream to the soup. Increase the heat to medium and bring to a light boil and then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes. Stir and add in any additional seasoning if necessary and the fresh parsley.
• Serve -- My favorite way to serve this is with a toasted baguette with melted gruyere cheese. Now, if you happen to have truffle oil -- drizzle a little on top, it is heaven. Can't get much better than that! ENJOY!