Vegetable Bundles Recipes

VEGETABLE BUNDLES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the thyme and oregano sprigs, along with the garlic, wine, chicken stock, and lemon juice and zest. Allow to boil down, about 5 minutes.
• While the broth is cooking, layer 2 zucchini ribbons vertically. Add 2 string beans, 1 squash quarter and 1 asparagus horizontally. Roll the zucchini ribbon up to create a bundle. Do this for the remaining ingredients. Add each bundle gently to the pan with the broth. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, spooning the broth over each bundle.

BACON-WRAPPED VEGGIE BUNDLES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F.
• Combine vegetables in large bowl. Whisk next 4 ingredients until blended. Add to vegetables; mix lightly.
• Cover rimmed baking sheet with foil; spray with cooking spray. Place bacon slices in single layer on prepared baking sheet; top evenly with beans and carrots, placing vegetable pieces crosswise along length of bacon slices. Roll up, starting at one short end of each bacon slice. Place, seam sides down, on baking sheet.
• Bake 30 min. or until bacon is crisp, turning after 15 min.

BACON WRAPPED ASPARAGUS BUNDLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven, if using, to 400 degrees F.
• Lightly coat asparagus spears in extra-virgin olive oil. Season the asparagus with black pepper. Take a quick count of the spear tips. Divide the total number by four. Gather that number of spears and use a slice of bacon to wrap the bundle and secure the spears together. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• To grill, place bundles on hot grill and cover. Cook 10 to 12 minutes until bacon is crisp and asparagus bundles are tender.
• For oven preparation, place bundles on slotted broiler pan. Bake 12 minutes.

VEGETABLE BUNDLES WITH TARRAGON-CITRUS DIP

Steps:

• For the dip: In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt, tarragon, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Set aside for at least 5 minutes to allow the flavors to marry.
• For the bundles: Make small bundles of 1 or 2 pieces each of the carrots, peppers and cucumbers. Tie each bundle at the equator with one of the chives, and trim the chive to the appropriate length. Serve alongside the tarragon-citrus dip.

GRILLED VEGGIE BUNDLES

Steps:

• For the sauce combine the last 5 ingredients and set aside.
• In medium saucepan bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
• Add carrots and boil for 2 minutes.
• Add onion and boil another minute.
• Add zucchini and squash and boil for 30 seconds.
• Remove from stove and drain and rinse with cold water.
• On a work surface place 1/2 piece of ham and in the center add 2 zucchini strips, 2 squash strips 1 onion strip and 1 carrot strip. Fold the lower end over the vegetables and then the other end.
• Place bundle on metal skewers with the folded side first and repeat until you have all the ham used up.
• Place them touching each other slightly on the skewers.
• Preheat your grill to medium heat.
• Coat the cooking grate with oil.
• Brush each bundle with the sauce and place on grill.
• Cook with lid open for 15-20 minutes until the ham turns slightly brown, basting with the sauce every 5 minutes and turning gently 4 times.
• Remove from the grill and enjoy.

STEAMED VEGGIE BUNDLES

Steps:

• Divide vegetables between two pieces of double thickness heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Fold foil around vegetables and seal tightly. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 10-13 minutes on each side or until vegetables are tender. , Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape. With a slotted spoon, remove vegetables to a serving dish. Combine the salad dressings; drizzle over vegetables and toss to coat.

SPRING VEGETABLE BUNDLES

Steps:

• Trim both ends of onions - making sure the green tops are as long as possible - at least 7 to 8 inches long.
• In a saucepan, bring some water to a boil, add the green onion tops; boil for 1 minute or until softened. Drain and immediately place onion tops in ice water. Drain and pat dry. Chop white portion of onions and set aside. (I always do a few extra onion tops -- just in case any tear as I'm tieing it around the bundles).
• Divide asparagus, peppers and carrots into 12 bundles. Top each with a thyme sprig. Tie each bundle with a blanched onion top (into a knot).*.
• In a large skillet, place wine or broth, chopped onion and vegetable bundles. Bring to a boil. Cook uncovered for 5 to 7 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender and liquid is reduced by two-thirds. Carefully remove bundles with a slotted spoon to a serving platter (or individual plates). Add butter to skillet; cook and stir until melted. Spoon over bundles.
• Note: Use asparagus spears that are ¼ inch in diameter. Larger spears should be cut lengthwise.
• Note #2: I have also used fresh green beans -- they work great, but the if you substitute them for either of the peppers, the color isn't quite as attractive. But for someone who doesn't like asparagus, that would be a good alternate.
• *I secure the bundles with a thin rubber band and then tie the onion top around it (then cut away the rubber band). I also don't place the thyme in the bundle until after I have them tied.