Vegetable – Aubrey About Town http://aubreyabouttown.com The going-ons of SF party host & chef, bon vivant, homme du monde, & man-about-town Sat, 09 Jan 2021 04:52:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 https://i0.wp.com/aubreyabouttown.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cropped-43DD7C41-CD23-44CF-9EC7-C1D81E967BB4.png?fit=32%2C32 Vegetable – Aubrey About Town http://aubreyabouttown.com 32 32 58900657 Tabbouleh http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/tabbouleh/ http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/tabbouleh/#respond Fri, 08 Jan 2021 10:43:43 +0000 http://aubreyabouttown.com/?post_type=recipe&p=3444 This classic Lebanese parsley & bulgar salad has been enjoyed throughout the Middle East since the Middle Ages. With its refreshing and zesty taste, it remains a favorite today, and is now enjoyed around the world. 

  • Soaking bulgar, Minced vegetables
  • Making a garlic & salt paste
Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh is the perfect accompaniment to richly seasoned & grilled meats, like lamb, mutton, kefte (kofta) and chicken. Or as a side to your favorite sandwich. Add bay shrimp or crabmeat for an outstanding stand alone seafood salad (see Notes below.)
Servings12 servings
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time35 mins
Passive Time1 hour
Ingredients
Instructions
To Prepare Tabbouleh
  1. Boil 6 cups water with 1 tsp sea salt.
  2. While the salted water comes to a boil, rinse red bulgar with cold water 5 times, or until water runs clear. To rinse, place bulgar in a medium-sized bowl, place under faucet, and cover with water, stir bulgar through water, slowly pour water out, leaving bulgar at the bottom of the bowl, repeat 4 more times, or until water runs clear. Leave rinsed bulgar in bowl, set aside until the water has come to a boil.
  3. Pour boiling water over rinsed bulgar, stir to distribute, cover bowl with a plate or plastic wrap, and let sit 35 minutes.
  4. In the meantime, prepare the Tabbouleh Dressing, and prep the vegetables - dice the cucumber, tomato, and onion, and slice the scallions. Add to a large bowl, and set aside.
  5. In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the curly-leaf parsley and fresh mint for 30 seconds to a semi-course mince, add to the diced vegetables, toss with Tabbouleh Dressing.
  6. Strain cooked bulgar through a fine sieve, pressing with clean hands or a large wooden spoon, add strained bulgar to the parsley-vegetable mixture. Toss well to distribute.
  7. Cover tabbouleh with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours) to marinate. Serve chilled or room temperature.
Prepare Tabbouleh Dressing
  1. Peel and chop 2 cloves of garlic, top with 1/2 teaspoon salt. In a back and forth motion against the flat side of a kitchen knife, rub garlic and salt into a paste, add to a small bowl. Mix in lemon juice, olive oil, and ground black pepper, mix well.
  2. Pour over prepared vegetables as stated in Step 5 in the Prepare Tabbouleh instructions above.
Recipe Notes

Red Bulgar (burghul) is made from the cracked parboiled groats of durum wheat, and is often used in Middle Eastern cuisine, and can be found in Middle Eastern markets, specialty stores, and online. I use Ziyad brand ‘Red Burghul Medium #2’. You may find it HERE.


Tabbouleh Seafood Salad

For a delicious seafood salad:

Prepare Tabbouleh recipe above.

Fold in 2 large cubed (and slightly firm) avocados, 1/2 lb. tiny cooked bay shrimps, 1/2 lb. cooked lump crabmeat, 1/3 lb. cooked & shelled mussels. (All available at the fish counter), toss and serve over whole butter or iceberg lettuce leaves. Serves 12.

]]> http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/tabbouleh/feed/ 0 3444 Scrumptious Side: Gruyère Potato au Gratin http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/scrumptious-side-gruyere-potato-au-gratin/ http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/scrumptious-side-gruyere-potato-au-gratin/#respond Mon, 25 May 2020 11:16:03 +0000 http://aubreyabouttown.com/?post_type=recipe&p=2533

Gruyère Potato au Gratin
Servings6 servings
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time60 mins
Passive Time1 hour
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Grease a 8”x8-inch square baking dish or 2-1/2 quart gratiné dish, place on a foil-lined sheet pan. Set aside.
  3. Wash & peel potatoes. With a mandoline, or sharp knife, thinly slice potatoes (approximately 1/8 inch thick in thickness).
  4. Combine heavy cream and flour, mix well.
  5. Arrange one layer of sliced potatoes in baking dish, overlapping slices in a ‘scallop’ pattern.
  6. Sprinkle layer with 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, and 1 cup shredded gruyère.
  7. Repeat layers twice for three layers. Finish the fourth (top) layer with just potatoes (use the nicest slices for top layer.
  8. Slowly pour cream & flour mixture evenly over the top.
  9. Tightly cover with aluminum foil, poke three small vent holes in foil.
  10. Bake covered for 50 minutes.
  11. Carefully remove aluminum foil. Evenly top with 1 cup shredded gruyère. Return to 350 degree oven and continue to bake until the gratin top is bubbly and golden brown - about 15 minutes.
  12. Remove from oven, and allow to rest for 45 minutes for liquids to distribute and absorb into potatoes, making them easier to slice. Serves 6.
]]> http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/scrumptious-side-gruyere-potato-au-gratin/feed/ 0 2533 Steamed Artichokes with Curry Aïoli http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/steamed-artichokes-with-curry-aioli/ http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/steamed-artichokes-with-curry-aioli/#respond Mon, 25 May 2020 09:44:05 +0000 http://aubreyabouttown.com/?post_type=recipe&p=2500 Served hot or chilled, Steamed Artichokes with this zesty Curry Aïoli to accompany is how I’ve enjoying this delicious thistle for as long as I can remember, and I haven’t eaten one without it for just as long.

Steamed Artichokes with Curry Aïoli
Ingredients
Curry Aïoli:
Steamed Artichokes:
Instructions
Prepare Curry Aïoli
  1. Combine ALL ingredients in a small bowl, whisk until smooth.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight) to thicken and to allow the dried spices to reconstitute. (As not to have gritty texture.) Keeps refrigerated for 10 days.
Prepare Steamed Artichokes
  1. With a sharp serrated knife, cut the top 1-inch off artichokes. Cut off stems to the base. Pull off any brown, blemished and split leaves.
  2. Place trimmed artichokes into a 6-quart stock pot. Fill with water.
  3. Add lemon juice and salt.
  4. On MED-HIGH heat, bring to a boil, cover with lid.
  5. Lower heat to medium, gently boil covered for 25-30 minutes, or until the heart (base) is tender when pressed with your finger.
  6. With a pair of tongs, carefully remove artichokes from water. Place upside down onto a large plate to drain. Serve hot, or allow to come to room temperature, or chill. Serve with Curry Aïoli on the side for dipping.
Recipe Notes

Curry Aïoli

Curry Aïoli

]]> http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/steamed-artichokes-with-curry-aioli/feed/ 0 2500 Creamed Spinach (épinards béchamel) http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/creamed-spinach-epinards-bechamel/ http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/creamed-spinach-epinards-bechamel/#respond Sat, 16 May 2020 13:20:15 +0000 http://aubreyabouttown.com/?post_type=recipe&p=1819

Creamed Spinach (épinards béchamel)
This luscious accompaniment usually reserved for the finest Prime Rib House or holiday feasts is a perfect side for any day of the week when a little decadence is needed.
Servings6-8 servings
Prep Time30 mins.
Cook Time30 mins.
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. To Make Shallot Béchamel
  2. In a large saucepan, sauté Shallots or Onion in 1 stick Butter until just transparent.
  3. Add Flour, and stir quickly. Slowly whisk in Milk.
  4. Add Nutmeg, Salt & Pepper. Cook on medium heat (stirring occasionally) until thick and coats the back of a spoon (about 15 mins).
  5. Check for taste, adjust as desired.
  6. Remove from heat, allow to cool. If not using right away, transfer to container, and refrigerate until ready for use.
Prep Spinach
  1. In a large pot, sauté Spinach in Olive Oil until JUST WILTED, transfer to a colander to allow excess moister to drain off. Repeat in 2 or 3 batches. Do not over cook, as the cooking will continue in next step.
  2. Allow Spinach to cool. If you’re not making the Creamed Spinach right away, transfer to container, and refrigerate until ready for use.
Prepare Creamed Spinach
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Generously Butter bottom and sides of a 2-1/2 quart casserole dish.
  3. In a large bowl, combine prepared Béchamel, beaten egg, and 1 cup of the Pecorino Cheese. Fold in prepared Spinach.
  4. Transfer to and spread into the buttered casserole. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 cup Pecorino Cheese.
  5. Bake in 350 oven for 25 minutes, until bubbly and slightly golden. Remove from oven. Let rest 5 minutes. Makes 6-8 servings as side to Beef Roast or steaks.
]]> http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/creamed-spinach-epinards-bechamel/feed/ 0 1819 Green Beans with Shallot Vinaigrette (Vinaigrette aux Haricots Verts et à L’échalote) http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/green-beans-with-shallot-vinaigrette-vinaigrette-aux-haricots-verts-et-a-lechalote/ http://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/green-beans-with-shallot-vinaigrette-vinaigrette-aux-haricots-verts-et-a-lechalote/#respond Sat, 16 Feb 2019 20:10:00 +0000 http://aubreyabouttown.com/?post_type=recipe&p=2231

Green Beans with Shallot Vinaigrette (Vinaigrette aux Haricots Verts et à L'échalote)
This quintessential French classic can be made ahead, served chilled, warm, or room temperature.
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a large pot, bring 6-quarts of water to a boil, add 1 tbsp kosher salt and 1 tbsp olive oil.
  2. Meanwhile, make an ice bath by filling a large bowl half way with cold water, and ice, set aside.
  3. Carefully drop green beans into boiling salted water, blanch for 60 seconds.
  4. Immediately remove green beans, and transfer to the ice bath to cease cooking and to chill.
  5. Strain chilled green beans, and spread on to a clean kitchen towel, pat dry. Transfer cooled, green beans to a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside.
  6. In a small bowl, add clarified butter (or olive oil), vinegar, mustard, mayonnaise, 1 tsp kosher salt, and ground white pepper. Whisk to combine.
  7. Toss vinaigrette mixture, sliced shallots, and green bean together until green beans are fully coated.
  8. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside until ready to serve, or refrigerate up to 6 hours.
  9. Serve room temperature, chilled, or warmed through.
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