Winter Vegetables Braised In Vermouth Food

BRAISED WINTER ROOTS

Steps:

• Peel parsnips and cut into 3- by 1/4-inch sticks. Cut leeks crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and wash well. Trim stalks flush with fennel bulb and cut each bulb lengthwise into 8 wedges.
• In a heavy saucepan melt 3 tablespoons butter over moderate heat and stir in parsnips, leeks, fennel, garlic, thyme, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Add wine and simmer mixture, covered, stirring occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Stir in remaining tablespoon butter and salt and pepper to taste.

ROASTED WINTER VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cut the carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, and butternut squash in 1 to 1 1/4-inch cubes. All the vegetables will shrink while baking, so don't cut them too small.
• Place all the cut vegetables in a single layer on 2 baking sheets. Drizzle them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss well. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until all the vegetables are tender, turning once with a metal spatula.
• Sprinkle with parsley, season to taste, and serve hot.

SALMON BRAISED IN WINTER VEGETABLE ESSENCE

Steps:

• Over medium flame, heat the oil in a pot that has a steamer insert. Add the leeks and endive and cook until they begin to brown, about 2 minutes. Add the whitewine and use a wooden spoon to scrape the pan well. Add the vegetable broth and the horseradish and bring liquid to a boil.
• Season the salmon lightly with salt and pepper and place it in the steamer over the vegetables. Cover and steam until salmon is cooked, about 5 minutes.
• Remove steamer, divide the vegetables among four plates. Top with salmon filet. Gently ladle sauce over each and serve.

BRAISED WINTER VEGETABLES AU VIN (MEAT-FREE VERSION OF COQ AU VIN)

Steps:

• In a hot stockpot coated with oil, brown ginger, black beans, chiles, garlic and onions for about 3 minutes. Add carrots, celery and fennel. Season. Deglaze with wines and add the potatoes and chick peas. Add the bay, thyme and soy sauce and check for seasoning. Add vegetable stock to cover and bring to a slow boil. Simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until potatoes are fully cooked. For the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the bok choy and check again for flavor. In a large bowl, fill it with the vegetables and sauce. Garnish.
• Place veggies in a food processor and puree. Reheat puree in a saucepan. Mix creme fraiche and eggplant puree together. Ladle soup into a bowl and garnish with a dollop of creme fraiche mixed with eggplant puree.
• Yield: depends on leftovers

BRAISED CELERY WITH HERBS

Steps:

• Cut celery stalks into diagonal slices about 1/4-inch wide.
• In large saucepan, bring chicken broth to full boil over HIGH heat, adding chopped onion with herbs and seasonings. Add sliced celery and return broth to simmer. Reduce heat and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until barely tender. Do not allow to lose full crispness.
• Drain immediatley and place in serving bowl. Toss with butter and additional herbs. Serve hot.

WINTER VEGETABLES BRAISED IN VERMOUTH

Steps:

• Wash the fennel, then remove the outer layer if it is tough. Cut the bulb in half, then slice into pieces about a half inch across and three inches long. Remove the leaves and chop them finely.
• Peel the carrots and cut them into slices about the size of the fennel pieces. Wipe the mushrooms clean, discard the tough stems and cut the caps into slices about a quarter-inch thick.
• Melt the butter in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the fennel and carrots and stir until they are coated. Add the vermouth, cover partway and simmer for five minutes. Add the mushroom slices, cover the pan partway again and simmer for an additional five minutes.
• Remove the cover, stir in the cream and reserved fennel leaves and cook until the liquid thickens a bit and the vegetables are tender but not limp. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.