Crudite Platter
- Kosher salt, as needed
- 1/4 pound green or wax beans, trimmed
- 1 to 2 stalks broccoli, or 1/2 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1/2 pound asparagus, stalks peeled, woody ends trimmed
- 1/2 pound fresh sugar snap peas
- 1 fennel bulb, sliced into 1/4-inch wedges
- 1 bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into strips
- 1 yellow bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into strips
- 1 bunch radishes (about 10, with greens attached), washed
- 4 medium carrots, cut into 4-inch-long sticks
- 1 to 2 small zucchini or summer squash, cut into spears
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled if waxed, cut into spears
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
- Dip, recipes follow
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously.
- Fill a large bowl with ice water and salt it generously as well 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, cauliflower, or asparagus cooking each until crisp tender.
- If using sugar snaps or fennel they may be served raw or cooked depending on their flavor or your preference.
- Attractively arrange all the vegetables on a large serving platter and serve with the dip of your choice.
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers (about 4 ounces)
- 6 sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained
- 1/4 cup drained or Greek style yogurt, method follows
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon minced thyme, optional
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender, and process until smooth.
- Serve now or refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Yield: about 1 1/2 cups
- To make drained yogurt: Place 1/2 cup of plain whole or low-fat milk yogurt in a coffee filter set in a sieve or colander in the sink or over a bowl.
- Set aside for 1 to 2 hours until thickened.
- Discard the water whey and use the yogurt as desired.
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, washed
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Chop the garlic with the salt, and then use the flat side of the knife to mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste.
- In a blender combine the garlic paste, with the remaining ingredients and process until smooth.
- Transfer the sauce to a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors come together
- Yield about 1 1/2 cups
kosher salt, green, stalks broccoli, stalks, sugar snap peas, fennel bulb, bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, radishes, carrots, zucchini, cucumber, cherry, recipes follow
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/crudite-platter-recipe2.html (may not work)