Braised Celery With Thyme And White Wine Food

EASY BRAISED CELERY

Steps:

• Break the celery into individual stalks. Chop off the leafy tops and put to one side. Chop each stalk into 2-3" (5-6 cm) lengths, destringing the celery as you go. Peel and finely chop the garlic.
• Over a low heat on the stove top, melt the butter in a shallow casserole dish, or lidded saute pan. Add the olive oil. Fry the celery pieces for a few minutes. Then add the garlic and cook for a further couple of minutes. The celery should be starting to turn translucent.
• Add the stock, season well with salt and pepper, and add the bay leaf. Bring to the boil, cover with a well-fitting lid, and turn down the heat to a gentle simmer. Leave to cook for 30-40 minutes until the celery is tender.
• Remove the lid from the pan, turn up the heat and reduce the stock by half, until thick and syrupy.
• Chop the celery leaves and parsley and garnish the dish. Serve.

BRAISED CELERY WITH THYME AND WHITE WINE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high, and heat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Prepare the celery: Separate the stalks, and reserve some celery leaves for garnish. Gently peel the outer layer of the thicker stalks to remove any tough strings. Cutting at a sharp angle, trim and discard the tips of the stalks, then cut stalks on an angle into 3-inch pieces. Add the celery segments to the boiling water, and cook just until slightly softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, transfer the blanched celery to a large 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish, and arrange in an even layer.
• Top with the stock, wine and olive oil. Add the shallots, bay leaves, thyme sprigs and garlic, tucking them between the celery layers, then sprinkle with the peppercorns, herbes de Provence and 1 teaspoon salt. Dot with the butter, then cover tightly with aluminum foil.
• Transfer to the oven and bake until celery is tender and yielding, about 45 minutes, if you want it to retain slight bite, or 1 hour or more, if you prefer it extra-tender.
• Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the braised celery to a serving platter or shallow bowl and cover. Transfer the remaining liquid to a medium saucepan and boil over medium-high until reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Pour the reduced sauce over the celery, straining, if desired, and sprinkle with fresh celery leaves and parsley. Serve warm.

BRAISED CELERY ROOT PURéE WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a small pot, bring 3 cups water to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the porcini and let sit for 30 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl and set aside. Rinse and chop the mushrooms.
• Fill a large bowl with cold water and add all but 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice. Peel, quarter and cut the celery root into 1/4-inch-thick slices and add to the water.
• Place a large, ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Heat 1/4 cup of the oil, then add the leek, onion, garlic, thyme sprigs, bay leaf and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Sauté until the onions are translucent.
• Drain the celery root and add it to the onion mixture with the reserved mushroom broth and milk. Bring to a boil, cover tightly and transfer to the oven. Braise until the celery root is tender, about 40 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Using a blender or immersion blender, carefully blend the mixture to a smooth purée. (For a finer texture, strain through a fine-mesh sieve.) Place the pot over low heat and simmer until it reaches the consistency of porridge. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the remaining 1/4 cup oil. Add the fresh mushrooms and sauté until the water releases and evaporates. Add the rehydrated porcini and chopped thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• To serve, place a few spoonfuls of the purée on each plate and drizzle with truffle oil, if using. Top with mushrooms and Parmesan.

BRAISED CELERY WITH HERBS

Steps:

• Cut celery stalks into diagonal slices about 1/4-inch wide.
• In large saucepan, bring chicken broth to full boil over HIGH heat, adding chopped onion with herbs and seasonings. Add sliced celery and return broth to simmer. Reduce heat and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until barely tender. Do not allow to lose full crispness.
• Drain immediatley and place in serving bowl. Toss with butter and additional herbs. Serve hot.

BRAISED CELERY WITH LENTILS AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat ¼ cup oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high. Add celery and toss to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until celery is very lightly browned, about 5 minutes, then add garlic and toss to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is deep golden brown and celery is tender and golden brown, 5-7 minutes. Mix in 1 tsp. kosher salt, then add wine and herbs (if using) and stir to combine. Cook until wine is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil; stir in lentils. Cook until lentils are warmed through and flavors have come together, about 5 minutes. Taste and season with more kosher salt if needed. Fish out herb sprigs if using and discard.
• Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Crack eggs into skillet and cover with a lid (or a baking sheet if you don't have one), reduce heat to low, and cook just until egg whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes.
• Divide braised celery mixture among bowls. Top each with an egg and some celery leaves; sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Serve with crusty bread, if desired.

BRAISED CELERY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees, with rack in upper third. Cut each head of celery in half lengthwise, and peel larger stalks with a vegetable peeler. Trim 1/4 inch from bases (keeping heads intact), then trim tops so each half is about 12 inches long. Arrange celery in a single layer, cut-sides up, in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Season generously with salt and pepper; scatter with thyme and dot with butter. Pour in broth and oil.
• Cover with parchment-lined foil. Bake until celery is knife-tender, 40 to 45 minutes. Turn oven to broil; remove foil. Spoon juices over celery and broil until lightly charred in spots, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve.