Crudites With Olive Butter Food

CRUDITE WITH INFUSED OLIVE OIL AND BALSAMIC

Steps:

• 1. Coarsely chop and mix together the rosemary, thyme, garlic and anchovy, if using. Sprinkle in the salt and mash into a slightly chunky paste using the flat part of the knife. Place in a small pot with the olive oil and warm over low heat until fragrant and sizzling, about 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• 2. Warm the vinegar, sugar, pepper flakes and zests in another small pot over low heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved and the vinegar is steaming, 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• 3. Transfer the oil and vinegar into separate small serving dishes and serve with assorted vegetables for dipping.

GREEN CRUDITES WITH YOGURT-DILL DIP

Steps:

• Yogurt-Dill Dip: Pulse 1 garlic clove, 1/4 cup each roughly chopped mint, dill and parsley, 1 chopped scallion and 1 chopped anchovy in a food processor. Add 2 cups plain Greek yogurt and puree until smooth.
• Serve with:
• Broccolini: Trim, then cook in salted boiling water, 3 to 4 minutes; drain and cool in ice water, then drain again. Season with salt.
• Spiced Pepitas: Toss 1 1/2 cups pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds) with 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander, a pinch of cayenne and 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt on a baking sheet. Roast at 400 degrees F until golden, about 5 minutes.
• Persian Cucumbers
• Little Gem Lettuce
• Brussels Sprouts: Trim and cut in half; toss with olive oil, season with salt and roast at 400 degrees F, 20 minutes.
• Haricots Verts: Trim, then cook in salted boiling water, 4 minutes; drain and cool in ice water, then drain again. Season with salt.

GARLIC AND OLIVE BUTTER

Steps:

• Place the garlic in a food processor and process until chopped. Add the softened butter and process until smooth. Add the olives to the food processor and pulse them into the mixture until they are just barely combined. Roll garlic olive butter into logs using double layers of plastic food wrap. Store butter logs in the freezer. Cut off discs to top grilled chicken or broiled fish.
• For Garlic Olive Bread: Soften 1/4 pound of butter to make 1 loaf of garlic olive bread. Toast a split loaf of bread under hot broiler. Spread with softened garlic olive butter on each half of bread. Sprinkle bread with a little grated cheese and return bread to broiler to melt butter and cheese. Slice and serve.

CRUDITE WITH OLIVE-CREME FRAICHE DIP

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the olives, creme fraiche, and parsley and season with salt and pepper. Mix to combine, then transfer to a small dipping bowl.
• Serve with an assortment of crudite, of your choice.
• NOTE:.
• Use thyme, rosemary, chives or any other herb in place of parsley.

CRUDITES WITH OLIVE OIL AND FLAVORED SALTS

Steps:

• Place sesame seeds in small nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Stir until toasted and golden brown, about 3 minutes. Cool completely. Place in a spice grinder with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Process until finely ground. Transfer mixture to small ramekin.
• Mix curry powder and 5 teaspoons salt in small bowl. Transfer mixture to another small ramekin.
• Mix paprika and 5 teaspoons salt in small bowl. Transfer mixture to another small ramekin. (Flavored salts can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and set aside at room temperature.)
• Pour oil into small bowl or ramekin. Place vegetables decoratively on platter. Serve, passing oil and salts separately.