Crudite platters have been making a comeback in a big way. Restaurants are serving up platters of raw farmer's market vegetables with well flavored sauces that are far from the cauliflower-carrot-broccoli-ranch dip fare that most American are accustomed to. They have morphed into something of a combination of the classic French crudite and an Italian antipasto with cured and pickled things thrown into the mix.
With that being said, most Super Bowl parties need a vegetable platter to help balance the bowls of chili, slices of pizza and plates of chicken wings. Instead of buying something pre-packaged at the grocery store, I challenge you to assemble your own new age crudite platter. The assortment of brightly colored vegetables paired with an internationally flavored condiment is guaranteed to draw eaters in to devour this update version of a classic appetizer.
Vegetables for Platter:
English cucumber, sliced
watermelon radish, sliced
Petite grape or heirloom tomatoes
sugar snap peas
pickled carrots
olives
Romesco Sauce
Courtesy of What's Gaby Cooking
4 tablespoons almond oil or olive oil
1 1-inch thick slice of crusty French bread, torn into pieces (yields about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup whole natural almonds
1 12-ounce jar roasted red bell peppers (about 8 ounces once drained)
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon smoked or sweet paprika
3 garlic cloves
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh parsley
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Directions:
Step 1: In a small skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add the torn pieces of bread and whole natural almonds and toast for 2 – 3 minutes until the bread starts to turn golden brown. Once toasted, let the mixture cool. Transfer the entire content of the skillet to a high-powered food processor or blender. Add drained red bell peppers, vinegar, paprika, garlic and parsley and pulse for 2 minutes until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Pulse to combine. Serve with assorted fresh, sliced vegetables as a dip.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup tarragon vinegar
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 bunches green onions
1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
2 cans (2 oz.) Anchovy filets
2 cloves garlic
2 cups mayonnaise
1 teaspoon salt
1 piece lemon, juiced
Directions:
Step 1: Puree both vinegars, onions, parsley, anchovies, garlic, salt, and lemon juice in a blender until well combined. Blend in mayonnaise and serve.
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