Vegetable Quick Sticks Food

VEGETABLE QUICK STICKS

Steps:

• To make any of these flavored quick sticks, add the juice and listed amount of water in place of the 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water in step 1 of Classic Quick Breadsticks and proceed with the recipe.
• Combine carrot juice with 1/4 cup cold water.
• Dissolve tomato paste in 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water.
• Combine beet juice with 1/2 cup cold water.

VEGETABLE STICKS

Steps:

• Rinse the vegetables, peel if necessary and cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Rinse chives, shake dry and cut into thin slices.
• Rinse lemon in hot water, wipe dry and finely grate the peel.
• Juice lemon.
• Add cream cheese, yogurt, chives, lemon zest, and lemon juice to a bowl. Stir to combine.
• Fold caviar into dip and season with salt and pepper. Serve with the prepared vegetable sticks.

HIDDEN VEGGIE QUICK BREAD (NO YEAST)

Steps:

• First a note on the vegetable puree: Any vegetable will work, provided that you can get a relatively thick puree (about the consistency of canned pumpkin). For slightly more watery purees, increase the quantity by 1/3 cup and omit the water. It's easy to make vegetable puree--just cook or bake the vegetables until soft, and then puree in a blender or food processor, adding small amounts of water as necessary. Some that have worked well for me: squash, beans, peas, sweet potatoes and, of course, pumpkin--or combine several. It's easiest to make extra puree and freeze it in 1-cup portions for future loaves. (NOTE: Listed prep time does not include making the puree, as this varies depending on the vegetable.).
• To make the bread, combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
• In a separate bowl, combine eggs, veggie puree, oil, and water.
• Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients thoroughly. Add nuts or raisins, if desired.
• Pour batter into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool in pan for about 10 minutes; then remove and cool thoroughly on a wire rack.

BASIC VEGETABLE STOCK

Steps:

• Chop scrubbed vegetables into 1-inch chunks. Remember, the greater the surface area, the more quickly vegetables will yield their flavor.
• Heat oil in a soup pot. Add onion, celery, carrots, scallions, garlic, parsley, thyme, and bay leaves. Cook over high heat for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add salt and water and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Strain. Discard vegetables.
• Other ingredients to consider: mushrooms, eggplant, asparagus (butt ends), corn cobs, fennel (stalks and trimmings), bell peppers, pea pods, chard (stems and leaves), celery root parings, marjoram (stems and leaves), basil, potato parings . . . Get the idea?

BAKED VEGETABLE STICKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
• Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
• Cut the vegetables in half lengthwise and then cut each section in half crosswise.
• Cut the quaters into long strips 1/4 inch thick.
• Toss the vegetables with the olive oil.
• Mix all ofthe dry ingredients in a large bowl.
• Add a handfull of vegetables to the breadcumbs and coat with crumbs.
• Lightly shake off any excess crumbs and place the vegetables in a single layer on the cookie sheet.
• Repeat until all of the vegetables are done.
• Bake for 10 minutes. Turn the vegetables over and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes.
• Coating should be crisp and vegetables tender.

CLASSIC QUICK STICKS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of a food processor, pulse flour, salt, and baking powder to combine. Add shortening, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. With the machine running, gradually add between 1/2 and 3/4 cup ice water until dough comes together, about 1 minute.
• Transfer dough to a very lightly floured work surface. Shape dough into a smooth rectangle, about 4 by 6 inches. Roll out dough to an 8-by-10-inch sheet, 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough lengthwise into 1/8-inch-wide strips.
• Using your hands, gently roll each strip back and forth into 16-inch-long sticks. For a twisted version, grab each end of the dough, strip with your fingers and carefully stretch and twist the strip in opposite directions. Arrange the sticks on 2 baking sheets, side by side but not touching. If salting, brush each stick lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt. Press ends onto baking sheet to keep sticks straight while they bake. Bake until firm and cooked through, 14 to 18 minutes. Transfer sticks to a wire rack to cool.

VEGETABLE SPIRAL STICKS

Steps:

• Cut carrots lengthwise into quarters. In a large skillet, bring 2 in. of water to a boil. Add carrots; cook for 3 minutes. Add asparagus; cook 2-3 minutes longer. Drain and rinse with cold water; pat dry., Cut each piece of breadstick dough in half. Roll each piece into a 7-in. rope. Wrap one rope in a spiral around each vegetable. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; tuck ends of dough under vegetables to secure. , Brush with egg white. Combine cheese and oregano; sprinkle over sticks. Bake at 375° for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.