Steamed Spring Vegetables In Warm Leek Vinaigrette Recipes

SPRING VEGETABLES WITH WARM VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Bring a wide pot of salted water to a boil. Trim the baby carrots, leaving just 1/2 inch of the green tops, then peel and halve lengthwise. Trim the spring onions, removing the root and all but 2 inches of the tops, and halve lengthwise. Snap or cut off the tough ends of the asparagus and peel the bottom half of each. Cut each spear in half crosswise (or into thirds, if long).
• Fill a large bowl with ice water. Add the carrots to the boiling water; cook until crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to the ice bath to cool, then remove to a colander to drain. Add the spring onions to the boiling water; cook until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes, then cool in the ice water and remove to the colander. Repeat with the asparagus, cooking about 3 minutes. Pat the vegetables dry with a clean towel. (The vegetables can be prepared up to this point several hours ahead; cover and refrigerate.)
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the spring onions; sprinkle with the sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring once or twice, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium; push the onions to one side of the skillet. Add the vinegar, mustard and 1/4 cup water to the other side of the skillet, whisking to combine; bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, 2 minutes. Toss with the onions. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• Add the carrots, asparagus, parsley and dill to the skillet; toss to combine.

STEAMED SPRING VEGETABLES IN WARM LEEK VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place the wine, chicken broth and leeks in a medium-size saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until the leeks are soft, about 30 minutes. Remove the leeks from the liquid and discard. Increase the heat slightly and cook until the liquid is reduced to i cup, about 5 minutes. Set the pan aside.
• Steam the artichokes until the hearts are tender and the leaves pull out easily, about 40 minutes. Scrape out the chokes. Steam the potatoes until tender, about 25 minutes. Steam the carrots until tender, about 12 minutes. Steam the asparagus until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Steam the morels until softened, about 3 minutes. As the vegetables and potatoes are done, set them aside. When cooled to room temperature, arrange on platters for easy access at the buffet.
• Just before serving, warm the leek liquid over low heat. Whisk in the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and scallion. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the vegetables and potatoes and sprinkle with the mint. Serve immediately at the buffet.

LEEKS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous boil and season liberally with salt.
• Trim the leeks at the root ends, keeping the leeks intact. Cut the leeks where the light green meets the darker green. Save the darker green section for stock. Split the leeks in half lengthwise, again leaving the roots intact. Put the leeks in a large bowl of water and let it sit for a minute. Rinse the dirt from the insides of the leeks by lightly separating the layers and allowing the water to wash the dirt out. Tie the leeks in 3 places with butcher's twine to hold shut.
• Add the leeks to the pot of water and let it come back to a simmer. Boil the leeks until they are very tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer them to paper towels and remove the twine. Separate each leek into 2 halves.
• In a small bowl, combine the oil, vinegar, mustards, garlic, shallots and salt and pepper. Spread some of the vinaigrette on the bottom of an 8-inch square dish.
• While the leeks are still warm, remove the outer layer of each; lay the leeks cut-side down in the vinaigrette in the dish. Spoon the remaining vinaigrette over the leeks. Cover and chill the leeks in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
• Arrange the leeks on a platter and drizzle with the vinaigrette. Garnish with the hazelnuts, eggs and chives. Drizzle more vinaigrette over the leeks and serve.

STEAMED LEEKS IN MUSTARD AND CAPER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt until salt has dissolved; add mustard, capers, and oil and whisk to blend. Season with salt; set vinaigrette aside.
• Bring 1 quart of water to a boil in the bottom of a saucepan fitted with a steamer basket. Place leeks in steamer basket, cover, and steam until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
• Drain leeks and transfer to a serving platter. Immediately cover with vinaigrette. Sprinkle with chives or parsley and serve immediately.

CLASSIC LEEKS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Trim leeks, removing tough outer layers and cutting off root ends. Leave a little green at the top. Make a lengthwise slit part way down each leek. Put leeks in a large basin of warm tap water and swish vigorously to dislodge any sand or dirt. Remove carefully, leaving grit in basin.
• Fill a medium sauce pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and put in leeks. Cook at a brisk simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until leeks are quite tender when pierced with a paring knife. Drain and cool to room temperature.
• Make vinaigrette: put mustard and vinegar in a bowl and stir to dissolve. Whisk in olive oil to make a thick sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
• Blot leeks and divide among 4 plates. Spoon vinaigrette over leeks, smearing with back of spoon. Sprinkle with capers. Garnish each plate with cornichons, olives and half an egg.

LEEKS WITH MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk vinegar and mustard in small bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in oil. Whisk in shallots. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.
• Trim dark green tops from leeks; then trim root ends, leaving base intact. Cut leeks lengthwise into quarters. Rinse under cold water to remove any soil. Working in batches, steam leeks on rack in large pot until tender, about 8 minutes. (Vinaigrette and leeks can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature and rewhisk vinaigrette before using.)
• Arrange leeks on large platter. Drizzle vinaigrette over. Sprinkle alternating bands of chopped egg yolks, egg whites, and parsley over and serve.