Skeleton Crudite Food

CRUDITES SLAW WITH HONEY-MUSTARD DRESSING

Steps:

• Pulse the crudites in a food processor until chopped into about 1/4-inch pieces (some will remain a little bigger--that is okay).
• Combine the mustard, honey, vinegar, sour cream, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a large bowl. Add the chopped vegetables and toss well to coat. Transfer to a serving bowl.

CRUDITES WREATH

Steps:

• Make the dip: Heat the olive oil in a small saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of water and the balsamic vinegar, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are soft and caramelized, 12 to 15 minutes; let cool slightly.
• Combine the shallots, yogurt, milk, chives, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl and stir until well blended. Cover and chill for 30 minutes before serving. The dip will keep, refrigerated, overnight if you want to make ahead of time.
• While the dip chills, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat and season generously with salt. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Set aside.
• Carefully place the broccoli or broccolini into the boiling water, and cook just until the florets turn bright green and are crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the broccoli to the ice-water bath to stop the cooking and to preserve the bright green color. Once cool, transfer the broccoli to a paper towel-lined plate to dry.
• Place the green beans in the boiling water and cook just until the beans turn bright green, about 1 minute. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the green beans to the ice-water bath to stop the cooking and to preserve the bright green color. Once cool, transfer the green beans to a paper towel-lined plate to dry.
• Add the Romanesco cauliflower to the boiling water and cook just until the cauliflower turns bright green and is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer the cauliflower to the ice-water bath to cool, then to a paper towel-lined plate to dry.
• Heat a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil, shishito peppers and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, tossing, until they begin to blister in spots, about 2 minutes. (Do not overcook the peppers or they will lose their color and become too soft.) Remove the peppers from the pan and set aside to cool.
• On a round platter 18 inches in diameter, arrange the broccoli, green beans, cauliflower and shishito peppers into a large ring with a hole in the center to create a ¿wreath¿ shape, making sure to alternate the vegetables throughout. Add three clusters of cherry tomatoes (three tomatoes per cluster) to create accent "ornaments." Serve with the onion dip.

HALLOWEEN VEGETABLE TRAY WITCH WITH HERB DIP

Steps:

• For the herb dip: Combine the spinach, parsley, scallions, dill, lemon juice and olive oil in a food processor and process until smooth. Add the sour cream, cream cheese, 1 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Process to make a smooth dip. Transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate while you make the veggie witch, or refrigerate up to 1 day.
• For the vegetable witch: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and prepare an ice bath. Add the asparagus to the boiling water and simmer until bright green, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the ice bath to cool. Remove with a slotted spoon and pat dry. Add the green beans to the boiling water and simmer until bright green, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the ice bath to cool. Remove with a slotted spoon and pat dry.
• Set a large cutting board or platter on the counter with the short side closest to you. Arrange the broccoli florets in an inverted triangle on the lower half of the cutting board to make the witch's face. Add the radish slices for eyes and top with the cherry tomato slices for eyeballs. Add a spinach leaf right above each eye for eyebrows. Cut a 2-inch length from the pointy end of the carrot for the nose then cut a thin slice from the remaining piece of carrot on the bias for the mouth and arrange both pieces on the face.
• Arrange the green beans, pointy side down, on each side of the face for hair. Arrange the longest asparagus spears in a triangle shape at the top of the face for the witch's hat. Trim the remaining spears and arrange on the top left of the hat to make a crooked point for the hat.
• Gather the microgreens or arugula at the top of the face for bangs. Arrange the cucumber slices horizontally over top to make the brim of the hat so the bangs stick out. Cut a thin lengthwise slice from the carrot and trim to make a band for the hat. Set the baby bell pepper slice in the middle to make a buckle.
• Arrange the rainbow baby carrots, celery and cauliflower around the witch to fill in the platter. Serve with the dip.

KALEIDOSCOPE CRUDITE

Steps:

• Combine sour cream, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Refrigerate for 1 hour and up to 8 hours. When ready to serve top with peppers.