Warm Spring Vegetables Recipes

WARM SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Put the courgette ribbons in a large bowl with a pinch of salt and the lemon juice.
• Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil and cook the asparagus for 2 mins, adding the frozen peas and broad beans for the final min. Drain well, pod the broad beans and toss together with the courgette ribbons. Drizzle over the olive oil, sprinkle on parsley and season to taste.

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.

SAUTEED SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt and carrots; cook 2 minutes. Add beans, asparagus, and sugar snap peas; cook until tender but still crisp, about 2 minutes. Drain and transfer vegetables to a large bowl of ice water to cool. Drain again.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over low heat. Add onions; cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add blanched vegetables, tomatoes, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Raise heat to medium high; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat, add basil, and toss to combine.

SAUTEED SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Trim the tough ends from the asparagus. Cut the asparagus into one-inch pieces. Peel the fava beans and slice the zucchini.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet and saute the zucchini until lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook for one to two minutes, stirring to avoid letting it burn.
• Meanwhile, blanch the asparagus and fava beans, drain and add them to the zucchini. Cook three to four minutes, or until tender. Season with salt, pepper and tarragon. Serve hot or at room temperature.

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.