Chilled Cauliflower A La Grecque Recipes

VEGETABLES à LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• In a pot, bring the liquids, spices and herbs to just below a boil.
• Cook each vegetable, separated by type, in the seasoned liquid. Start with the onion, then fennel, then cauliflower or mushrooms, then celery. Cook each until it can be pierced with a knife and tastes delicious. As each batch is done, scoop it out with a slotted spoon or a hand-held sieve. Place on a cookie sheet to cool.
• If spices or bits of herb stick to the vegetables, put what you can back in the pot and don't worry about the rest - everything will marinate together, so things will redistribute. When all the vegetables are cooked, layer them in a 1-quart Mason jar - it looks nice if you do mushrooms, then onions and so on. Pour all of the cooking liquid over them, without straining. The olive oil in the liquid will rise to the top and create a seal.
• Serve alone as an hors d'oeuvre, or as part of a salad, or on little buttered toasts. Or in an omelet. Or in a sandwich. Anywhere, really, but in a strawberry tart. Refrigerate for up to a month.

VEGETABLES A LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• Prepare vegetables: In colander, under cold running water, wash green beans; drain well. Cut off ends, leaving beans whole. Set aside. Wash and pare carrots; with sharp knife, cut crosswise into 4-inch pieces; then slice lengthwise into strips 1/2-inch wide.
• Trim root ends of leeks; cut off tops, leaving 1 to 3 inches of green stem; discard tops. With sharp knife, cut in half lengthwise. Wash under cold running water to remove any sand. Wipe mushrooms with damp paper towels; trim the stem ends; cut in half lengthwise.
• Wash zucchini; trim ends; cut into 3-inch pieces; then slice into strips 1/2-inch wide.
• Prepare cooking liquid: In large 10-inch skillet, combine water, wine, lemon juice, olive oil, green onion, salt, peppercorns, thyme and parsley sprigs. Over medium heat, bring to boiling. Add the leeks; simmer, covered, until tender - about 5 minutes. With slotted spoon, remove leeks to shallow dish. Return liquid to boiling. Add carrots; simmer, covered, 10 minutes or until tender. With slotted spoon, remove to the shallow dish. Return liquid to boiling.
• Add green beans; simmer, covered, 7 minutes, or until tender. With slotted spoon, remove beans to shallow dish. Return liquid to boiling. Add zucchini; simmer, covered, 5 minutes, or until tender. With slotted spoon, remove to the shallow dish. Return liquid to boiling.
• Add mushrooms; simmer, covered, 5 minutes, or until tender. With slotted spoon, remove to dish. Arrange vegetables in serving dish.
• Reduce liquid to 2/3 cup; spoon over vegetables. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve hot as side dish or chilled as appetizer.

CHILLED CAULIFLOWER A LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, basil, and garlic. Simmer while you prepare the cauliflower.
• In a large saucepan, parboil the cauliflower in boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain.
• Add cauliflower to dressing in saucepan. Toss to coat. Take off the heat and place in a bowl.
• Set aside to marinate for 1 hour at room temperature, then chill for 2 hours.
• Before serving, add parsley, onion, radishes, feta, and olive. Toss well.
• To serve, cover a large platter with spinach and with a slotted spoon, put the salad on top of the greens in the center of the platter. Pour remaining dressing over spinach and serve immediately.