Crudites With Mediterranean Relish Food

BLANCHED CRUDITES

Steps:

• Prepare a large pot of boiling salted water, and fill a large bowl with ice water.
• Remove the tough bottoms of the asparagus stalks. If they are thick, peel the stems half-way up the stalk.
• Add the carrots to the pot of boiling water and blanch for 1 minute. Immediately remove the carrots with a slotted spoon and plunge them in the bowl of ice water. Drain the carrots when fully cooled.
• Add the asparagus to the boiling water and blanch for 1 minute. Immediately remove the asparagus with a slotted spoon and plunge them into the reserved bowl of ice water. Drain the asparagus when fully cooled.
• Slice the radicchio into wedges.
• Arrange the carrots, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and radicchio on a platter and serve with the Herb Dip.
• Place the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, scallions, parsley, dill, salt, and pepper in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and blend. Serve at room temperature.

CRUDITES WITH MEDITERRANEAN RELISH

Steps:

• Heat oil in medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until just beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Stir in canned tomatoes and lemon juice. Bring to simmer. Remove from heat.
• Combine sun-dried tomatoes and next 5 ingredients in processor. Using on/off turns, process until vegetables are finely chopped. Transfer to medium bowl. Stir in tomato mixture. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.) Serve with vegetables.