Island Vegetable Salad With Cheese Food

ISRAELI VEGETABLE SALAD

Steps:

• For the hummus, place the chickpeas, tahini, 3/4 cup of the lemon juice, the garlic, cumin, Sriracha, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until the mixture is completely smooth. If the hummus is too thick, add a few tablespoons of warm water until it is creamy but still thick and spreadable.
• In a large bowl, combine the cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, and red onion. Add 1/3 cup olive oil, the remaining 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper and combine.
• Spoon the hummus onto a large (12-by-16-inch) serving platter, spreading it out with a raised edge. With a slotted spoon, mound the vegetable salad on the hummus, leaving the edges of the hummus visible. Sprinkle the vegetables and hummus with the mint and extra salt. Drizzle with olive oil and serve at room temperature with pita bread.

VEGETABLE CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine cheeses, cucumber, tomato, onion and peppers. In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon and lime juice, garlic, mustard and seasonings; mix well. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Chill for 1 hour. Serve in a lettuce-lined bowl if desired.

ISLAND FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a fryer to 360 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine pineapple, mango, papaya, honeydew, strawberries, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, bananas, ginger infusion, and lime juice. Mix well and set aside.
• Place a wonton wrapper inside a large ladle. Press the wrapper down with a smaller ladle and immerse in the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, releasing the second ladle once it will hold its shape. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Repeat with the other wrappers. While the wrappers are still hot, sprinkle the inside with powdered sugar.
• Combine the cream and the powdered sugar. Whip until soft peaks form. Add the rum and whip to medium peaks. Right before serving, sprinkle the fruit with the toasted coconut and toss again.
• Place the wrapper either in a decorative martini or margarita glass, or on a plate. Fill with fruit salad and top with some whipped cream.
• Combine the water, sugar, lemon grass, ginger, and lemon juice and zest in large saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let cool.
• Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean container and reserve for the daiquiris. (Infusion will keep for 2 weeks, refrigerated and also may be used to flavor dressings or drizzle over fresh fruit.)

VEGETABLE SALAD WITH FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Rub inside of a large wooden salad bowl with cut garlic, discard garlic.
• Add next 9 ingredients (lettuce - parsley) to bowl; toss.
• In a jar combine next 6 ingredients (olive oil - pepper) and shake well to combine.
• Pour dressing over salad and toss.
• Add cheese and olives and toss again.

1000 ISLAND VEGETABLE DIP

Steps:

• Combine ingredients into a mixing bowl.
• Blend with with hand-held mixer until the mixture has the consistency and texture of cottage cheese.
• Serve chilled with vegetables commonly used for crudite trays, such as cauliflower, celery, carrots, broccoli, etc.

VEGETABLE SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Steam potatoes until tender, about 10 minutes. Cool completely.
• Blend olives, anchovies, capers and garlic in processor until coarsely pureed. Gradually blend in oil, then lemon juice. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Add green onions and fennel fronds, if desired; stir to blend. Season olive mixture with salt and pepper. Add tomatoes, cucumber and potatoes to olive mixture. Toss to coat. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle goat cheese over salad. Garnish with basil sprigs and serve.