Spring Vegetable Stew Recipes

LA VIGNAROLA ROMAN-STYLE SPRING-VEGETABLE STEW

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl halfway with cold water. Squeeze the lemons into the water and add the rinds to the bowl. Using a serrated knife, cut off the top third of an artichoke. Pull back and snap off the dark green, leafy blades, one by one, until only the pale yellow leaves remain. Using a paring knife, trim the artichoke bottom and stem to the pale green flesh, then cut it in half lengthwise. Drop into the water (to keep the artichoke from turning brown) and repeat with the remaining artichokes. Using a spoon, scoop out the prickly leaves and hairy choke. Cut each half into 4 wedges and return to the water until ready to use.
• If using fresh fava beans, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a large bowl two-thirds full with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, add the beans and cook for 1 minute, then drain and immediately submerge the beans in the ice water. Peel the beans by gently tearing the pale skins and pinching at one end. Discard the skins, reserving the dark green interiors.
• Heat a 12-inch nonreactive pan over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and when hot, add the onion, oregano (if using) and guanciale. Cook, stirring occasionally until the onion and guanciale are translucent, about 10 minutes. Drain artichokes and add to the pan, along with 2 cups water and 11/4 teaspoons salt. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until artichokes are just tender, about 25 minutes. If using frozen favas, add them and cook for 2 minutes. If using fresh favas or frozen edamame, add them, along with the peas, and cook until warm and tender, about 5 minutes more. Remove the oregano sprig. Sprinkle in parsley and mint. Season with lemon juice, freshly ground black pepper and, if desired, additional salt. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and serve.

SPRING VEGETABLE STEW

Steps:

• Fill a bowl with water and add lemon juice. Trim artichokes, quarter them and place in the water as you go along.
• Heat oil over medium heat in a large, heavy, lidded skillet or Dutch oven and add onions and celery. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, stir for about a minute until you can smell the fragrance of the garlic, and add fennel and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, for 5 to 8 minutes more, until the fennel has softened.
• Drain artichoke hearts and add to the pan. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Add water and salt to taste and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until all of the vegetables are very tender and fragrant. Stir in chopped fennel fronds and/or mint and simmer for a few more minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot or warm, on its own as a side, tossed with pasta or as a topping for grains.

MUSTARD SALMON WITH SPRING VEGETABLE STEW

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle salmon lightly on both sides with kosher salt. Place skin-side down in a low baking dish. Sprinkle top of fish with fennel and black pepper. Smear mustard evenly over the surface. Leave for at least 10 minutes to absorb seasoning and come to room temperature.
• Bake salmon, uncovered, just until white juices begin to surface at sides and top, 10 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness. Remove and let rest 5 minutes. (Salmon should be perfectly cooked, still moist at center.)
• As salmon cooks, make the vegetable stew: Set a Dutch oven or wide, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Melt butter, then add the fennel. Season lightly with salt. Let fennel cook without browning, stirring frequently until just done, about 5 minutes. Add asparagus, sugar snap peas, shucked peas, cauliflower, scallions and a small pinch of salt. Stir to combine and add ¼ cup water. Raise heat to high and cover pot. Cook for 5 minutes, until vegetables are tender-crisp and just done (residual heat will cook them further). Turn off heat and transfer vegetables to a serving dish.
• In a tiny skillet, heat oil over medium-high. When oil is wavy, add mustard seeds and serrano chile, and stir together. When mustard seeds begin to sputter and pop, pour contents of skillet over the vegetable stew. Top with tarragon and parsley.
• For each serving, place a piece of salmon on a warmed plate. Spoon some vegetables over and around salmon. Pass remaining vegetables at the table.

VEAL STEW WITH SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Brown the pieces of veal a few at a time in a heavy casserole in the oil and remove with a slotted spoon. Pour off any excess fat. Add the shallots and garlic and saute until soft.
• Add the white wine and stir, scraping up any cooking particles from the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken stock, tomato paste, thyme, lemon peel and salt and pepper and bring to boil. Turn down heat, cover and cook gently for one hour.
• Add the carrots and cook for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, in a steamer cook the new potatoes and turnips until tender (about 20 minutes). Cook the green beans and peas until tender (about five minutes). Add them to the stew and serve.