Crudite Platter With Chipotle Ranch Dressing Food

HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING

Steps:

• Whisk 2/3 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon each onion powder and onion flakes and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. Add 1 tablespoon each chopped chives, dill and parsley; season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

CRUDITE PLATTER

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Fill a large bowl with ice water and salt generously. Drop the beans into the boiling water and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Scoop them out of the water and immediately plunge the beans into the ice water, to stop their cooking and set the color. Cool, remove them from the ice bath, and pat dry. Repeat with the broccoli and asparagus. (The asparagus may take a minute less, depending on their size.)
• Attractively arrange all the vegetables on a large serving platter and serve with the dip of your choice.
• Drain the yogurt in a coffee filter or cheese cloth-lined sieve, set over a bowl, until thickened to about 1 cup, about 2 hours.
• Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the curry and cook, stirring, until fragrant about 30 seconds more. Set aside to cool.
• In a bowl, combine the drained yogurt, curry mixture, mayonnaise, chutney, scallion, hot sauce, lime juice, and coriander. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Yield: about 2 cups
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a roasting pan, rub the 2 onions in their skins with the 2 tablespoons oil. Bake until squishy soft, turning them once, about 45 minutes. Set aside to cool completely. Peel the onions and set aside.
• Meanwhile, finely dice the remaining onion. Preheat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 cup oil and heat until hot. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally until they just begin to lightly brown, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 18 minutes more. Strain the onions through a sieve over a bowl. Transfer the onions to a paper towel-lined plate and spread them into a single layer. Reserve 1/4 cup of the onion oil and let it cool completely. (Reserve the remaining oil for dressings or marinades.)
• Puree the roasted onions in a food processor. Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, and salt, and pulse until smooth. While the motor is running, drizzle in the 1/4 cup of reserved onion oil until incorporated. Season with pepper and hot sauce, to taste. Transfer the onion dip to a serving bowl and stir in the scallion. Refrigerate until very thick, about 3 hours or overnight.
• When ready to serve top with the fried onions.
• Yield: about 4 cups

CRUDITE PLATTER

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Fill a large bowl with ice water and salt it generously as well Drop the beans into the boiling water and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Scoop them out of the water and immediately plunge the beans into the ice water, to stop their cooking and set the color. Cool, remove them from the ice bath, and pat dry. Repeat with the broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus cooking each until crisp tender. If using sugar snaps or fennel they may be served raw or cooked depending on their flavor or your preference.
• Attractively arrange all the vegetables on a large serving platter and serve with the dip of your choice.
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers (about 4 ounces)
• 6 sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained
• 1/4 cup drained or Greek style yogurt, method follows
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon minced thyme, optional
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Combine all the ingredients in a blender, and process until smooth. Serve now or refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Yield: about 1 1/2 cups
• To make drained yogurt: Place 1/2 cup of plain whole or low-fat milk yogurt in a coffee filter set in a sieve or colander in the sink or over a bowl. Set aside for 1 to 2 hours until thickened. Discard the water whey and use the yogurt as desired.
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, washed
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Chop the garlic with the salt, and then use the flat side of the knife to mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste.
• In a blender combine the garlic paste, with the remaining ingredients and process until smooth.
• Transfer the sauce to a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors come together
• Yield about 1 1/2 cups

RAW VEGGIES WITH CHIPOTLE RANCH DRESSING

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, dill, chives, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, vinegar, paprika, salt, cayenne, hot sauce, chipotle peppers and garlic. Add the buttermilk to the desired consistency and blend. Chill for a couple of hours before serving, thinning with more buttermilk if needed.
• Serve the carrots, celery and cucumbers with the dip.

RANCH DRESSING

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream and vinegar. Add the chives, parsley, salt, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper and whisk well to combine.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

CRUDITE PLATTER WITH CHIPOTLE RANCH DRESSING

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it generously. Fill a large bowl with ice water and salt that as well. Drop the broccoli into the boiling water and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Scoop them out of the water and immediately plunge the broccoli into the ice water; this stops their cooking and sets their color. Cool, remove them from the ice water, and pat dry. Repeat with the asparagus, cooking 1 to 2 minutes depending on how thick they are. Arrange all the vegetables on a large serving platter and serve with the chipotle dip.
• For the dressing: Smash the garlic cloves, sprinkle with the salt, and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Scrape the paste into a small bowl, add the remaining ingredients, and whisk well to make a creamy dressing.

RAMP RANCH DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine the yogurt, ramps, buttermilk, mayonnaise, dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, hot sauce, half of the lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper in a medium bowl and whisk well to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more lemon juice and salt, if needed.
• Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.