Chapter 1 APPETIZERS
CRUDITÉS
Crudités are crisp, fresh raw vegetables often served with a dip. They are crunchy, satisfying, and when attractively arranged in a basket, provide the perfect appetizer for any dinner. The Make-It-Easy trick to cutting up crudités is to select those vegetables that need as little work as possible.
There are some gadgets that help in the preparation of crudités such as a radish decorator or serrated knife. These tools shorten preparation time and make the vegetables look more appealing without additional effort.
The following is a list of vegetables that can easily be cut and organized as crudités, in a basket, bowl, or prettily arranged on a plate. Remember to select vegetables in season which are the freshest, best looking, and least costly.
Asparagus: Very thin asparagus can be eaten raw. Simply wash well, break off fibrous stem ends, and serve. Thicker asparagus should be parboiled for 1 to 2 minutes, drained, run under cold water, and drained again.
Broccoli Florets: Wash broccoli and cut off the florets. (The stems can be reserved for another use.)
Belgian Endive: Belgian endive, not to be confused with curly endive, is a compact, white, cigar-shaped vegetable. Separate the leaves and, if necessary, wipe with a damp towel. Belgian endive should not be soaked in water or it will become too bitter.
Bell Peppers: Green, Red, Yellow, or Purple: Wash, remove the seeds, and cut into thick slices.
Carrots: Peeling and cutting carrots or celery is often time-consuming. Best to do lots of carrots and keep them in a container in the refrigerator, covered with water. Change the water every other day.
Cauliflower Florets: Wash cauliflower, break into florets, and discard sterns.
Celery: Best to do lots of celery at one time and keep in a container in the refrigerator, covered with water. Change the water every other day.
Cherry Tomatoes: Wash, but leave the stems on -- they look prettier and most guests do not mind.
Cucumbers: Use "European" hothouse cucumbers, which need no peeling or seeding, or unwaxed American cucumbers, found at local produce stands, which need seeding. Wash and slice into spears or circles using a serrated slicer if available.
Daikon (Oriental Radish or Icicle Radish): Peel off only a thin layer of skin with a vegetable peeler and slice with a serrated knife into strips or circles.
Fennel: Florentine fennel, also called finocchio, resembles a pregnant bunch of celery. Cut off the feathery tops at bulb level. Remove the tough outer stalks, wash, cut off the hard base, and cut with the grain into slices.
Green Beans: Wash, break off the tips, if desired, and serve.
Jicama: A crunchy Mexican vegetable with a sweet taste, similar to a fresh water chestnut. Peel, and cut with a serrated knife into sticks that resemble french fries, or slice into thin pieces. Jicama can also be cut with cookie cutters into a variety of shapes.
Kohlrabi: Also called "cabbage turnip." Select small kohlrabi, trim the tops, pare the outside, and slice into strips.
Mushrooms: The easiest way to clean them is to dip a mushroom brush or paper towel into lemon juice and brush or wipe away any dirt, which will also prevent the mushrooms from discoloring. Trim a small piece off the bottom of the stem and serve whole or cut in half.
Red Radishes: Wash and remove the ends. Use a radish flowering tool, if desired, for a pretty presentation. White radishes should be scrubbed with the ends removed.
Scallions: Slice off the root ends, wash, and retain the greens.
Snow Pea Pods or Sugar Snap Peas: Wash, and if possible, remove the strings by pulling from the top down the sides.
Summer Squash: Pattypan, Yellow Crookneck, or Zucchini: Wash and slice into spears or circles with a serrated slicer if available. The new miniature varieties, sometimes called courgettes, can be left whole.
Turnips: Peel and slice.
THREE DIPS FOR CRUDITÉS
Curried Yogurt Dip
Serves: 6
Calories: 77 per serving
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
This spicy dip is prepared with low-fat yogurt, and yet still has a creamy consistency and flavor.
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon curry powder or to taste
1/8 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, or pinch of ground
Pinch of sugar
Salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
1. Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
2. Place in a covered container and chill until ready to serve.
COOK NOTE: Curry powder is actually a blend of spices usually containing cardamom, cloves, coriander (cilantro), cumin, dill, fenugreek, ginger, mace, pepper, and turmeric. Taste varies from brand to brand, so try out several to find the one you like best.
VARIATION:
x The dip can be used as a salad dressing or even a topping for cold fish or vegetables.
Yogurt-Dill Dip
Serves: 8
Calories: 48 per serving
Preparation Time: 10-15 minutes
In place of rich sour cream, this dip is prepared with low-fat yogurt and a touch of mayonnaise. Besides crudités, serve this tangy herb dip with cold poached fish, or use it as a creamy salad dressing.
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons minced scallions (green and white parts included)
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly snipped dill, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons capers, drained
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Pinch of sugar
Salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
1. Fold the ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. Serve immediately or chill in a covered container until ready to use.
VARIATIONS:
x The dip can be pureed in a food processor or blender, but much of the texture will be lost.
x Chopped fresh basil, tarragon, parsley, or a combination of all three can be added.
MAKE-IT-EASY TIP:
x When fresh dill is abundant, chop and freeze extra quantities in small containers to have on hand to add to sauces, soups, or other dishes. Fresh dill, chopped and frozen, is preferable to the dried variety.
Tofu Dip
Serves: 8
Calories: 74 per serving
Preparation Time: 10-15 minutes
Tofu or bean curd cake is a wonderfully inexpensive source of protein. If possible, use Chinese tofu, which is firmer and less watery than other varieties. Serve this dip with crudités.
1 1-pound package refrigerated Chinese tofu (bean curd), drained and patted dry on paper towels (see Notes)
2 tablespoons roasted sesame seeds
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons Japanese rice or white wine vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons finely minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
Salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
Garnish: minced scallion greens
1. In a food processor or blender combine the dip ingredients and process until smooth; refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Serve the dip chilled topped with scallion greens and surrounded by crudités.
COOK NOTES: Tofu is available in 1-pound or occasionally in 14.2-ounce packages. Either size will work in this recipe.
If only Japanese or soft-variety of bean curd is available, you can press the water from the curds to make them firmer. To press, wrap each bean curd cake (or slice the whole cake into 2" horizontal lengths) in cheesecloth and place in a large dish; place a 2- to 3-pound weight on top (a large book or several cans will do). After 1 hour, unw