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Crudité

Ingredients

for the fresh produce

  • endive, sliced in half
  • butter lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • Persian cucumbers, sliced
  • bell peppers, sliced
  • fresh herbs, tarragon, basil, dill, cilantro, chopped

for the cooked ingredients

  • blanched green beans, see notes for recipe
  • soft boiled eggs, see notes for recipe
  • pickled red onions, see notes for recipe

for the toppings

  • almonds
  • kalamata olives

for the dressing

  • Dijon mustard
  • red wine vinegar
  • cream
  • lemon wedges
  • extra-virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper

for the tabletop

  • large platter
  • 3 pourable bottles, for the cream, olive oil and red wine vinegar
  • 4 small serving bowls, for the herbs, onions, almonds and olives
  • individual ramekins for each guest, to make individual dressings
  • individual appetizer spoons or small spoons for each guest

Instructions

  • On a large platter, arrange the endive, butter lettuce, Persian cucumbers, bell peppers, green beans and soft-boiled eggs.
  • Add the tarragon, basil, dill and cilantro into a small bowl and stir well. Place the pickled red onions, almonds and olives into their own small individual bowl. If the platter is large enough, place these bowls onto the platter. If it’s not large enough set them aside to be placed on the table next to the crudité platter.
  • Place the Dijon into a small serving bowl. Pour the cream, oil and vinegar into their own pourable containers. Add salt and pepper to their own serving container.
  • Store all ingredients, covered, in the fridge until time for service. When ready to serve, place on the table with serving spoons. Provide individual plates to the guests to build their plate. Give the diners ramekins with spoons, to stir together the dressing ingredients into the ramekins (my favorite combination is a dollop of Dijon and a dousing of olive oil that is then topped with a fresh herbs, salt and a splash of vinegar and cream).
  • Get creative with the ingredients and have fun!
  • The bulk of the labor involved in such a spread is not cooking, but prepping. Expect about 30 to 45 minutes to prep this crudité.

Notes

Click here for the blanched green beans recipe. 
Click here for the soft boiled eggs recipe.
Click here for the pickled red onions recipe.