Herbed Vegetable Bundles Recipes

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.

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.

CHICKEN VEGGIE PACKETS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Flatten chicken breasts to 1/2-in. thickness; place each on a piece of heavy-duty foil (about 12 in. square). Layer the mushrooms, carrots, onions and red pepper over chicken; sprinkle with pepper, thyme and, if desired, salt. , Fold foil around chicken and vegetables and seal tightly. Place on a baking sheet. Bake until chicken juices run clear, about 20 minutes. If desired, serve with lemon wedges.

SPRING VEGETABLE BUNDLES

Steps:

• Trim both ends of onions; cut the green tops into 7-in. lengths. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add onion tops; boil for 1 minute or until softened. Drain and immediately place onion tops in ice water. Drain and pat dry. Chop white portions of onions and set aside., Divide asparagus, peppers and carrots into 12 bundles. Top each with a thyme sprig. Tie each bundle with a blanched onion top., In a large skillet, combine the wine, chopped onions and vegetable bundles. Bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes or until vegetables are tender and liquid is reduced by two-thirds. , Carefully remove bundles with a slotted spoon to a serving plate. Add butter to skillet, cook and stir until melted. Serve with bundles.

CHICKEN VEGETABLE BUNDLES

Steps:

• heat oven to 3508°F.
• flatten each chicken breast half to about 1/4" thickness by pounding between two sheets of waxed paper, set aside.
• in medium bowl combine butter, carrots, zucchini, salt, rosemary, and black pepper.
• divide mixture evenly between each flattened chicken breast.
• roll up chicken breast.
• wrap one bacon piece around each chicken breast bundle, secure with toothpicks.
• in a 13x9 baking pan, place chicken bundles.
• in small bowl stir together brandy and chicken broth.
• pour over chicken.
• bake basting occasionally for 35 to 40 minutes, or until chicken is fork tender.
• Reserve pan juices.
• place chicken bundles on platter, keep warm.
• in a 1-qt saucepan combine pan juices plus enough chicken broth to equal 1/4 cup.
• in a small bowl mix together sour cream and flour.
• stir into pan juice mixture.
• cook over medium-low heat (DO NOT BOIL) stirring until thickened (2 to 4 minutes).
• when ready serve sauce over chicken bundles.

HERB CHICKEN SOUP WITH SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Tie the parsley, tarragon, and thyme sprigs and bay leaf together with kitchen twine and put in a large saucepan with the onion, carrot, celery, lemon zest, and chicken breasts. Cover with the broth, bring just to a boil over high heat, skim off any foam that comes to the surface. Adjust the heat to very low and cover. Cook the chicken until firm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken to a platter, when cool enough to handle and pull into large strips; discard the bones.
• When ready to serve, add the asparagus, peas, and mushrooms to the broth. Cook until the vegetables are just tender, about 3 to 5 minutes, and remove herb bundle. Return chicken to the broth and warm through.
• Divide chicken between 4 large soup bowls and ladle some broth and vegetables into each bowl. Garnish each soup with the chopped parsley and tarragon. Serve.