I made a "Crudite Basket" for my friend's big birthday bash.
That was his request for me.
Although I'm getting that same request from friends who are having party these days, I guess I'm making a reputation for it. And, I don't mind making it.
I even getting questions at the party how I make it. It is not a complicated process, it just takes time and patience. As I keep making them I'm getting better and quicker, just like riding a bike.
Once you know how to do, it gets easier to remember what I must do first.
And it is very important that don't make any decisions what kind of "Crudite Basket" you will make for that day until you discover what you can buy that day.
In my case, I go to the "Farmers' Market" with blank page. When I see what looks good that morning, I know what kind of basket I'll be able to create.
Veggies at the Farmers' Market will determine the basket I'll make that day.
Here are the steps of "Making a Crudite Basket"
< Step 1 >
Wash Vegetables.
I put most of things in the water at least one hour.
Water will do all the cleaning for you.
< Step 2 >
Peeling & Cutting Vegetables.
I like to make all things bite size, especially Radishes.
Some of them need to be peeled, such as Japanese Turnips.
I also try to keep them looking natural as possible,
things like keeping their roots and green stems.
Squeeze lime juice on most of Veggies to keep them from turning brown.
< Step 3 >
Cover the bottom and side of basket with greens from veggies.
Keep all greens from the vegetables till you finish making the basket.
Wash them as you do other parts of veggies.
Use large leaves to cover the basket.
Don't forget some of the greens are as tasty as the veggies.
< Step 4 >
Making cups to divide the basket.
I use sturdy vegetable such as Red Cabbage to make section cups.
Red & Yellow Peppers are containers for dipping sauce.
It's ready for cleaned veggies to fill it up !
< Step 5 >
Final Product.
Just keep stuffing the basket with veggies till it gets full.
The more it get fuller, the easier it is to move.
You put Dipping Sauces into the pepper cups at the tables to serve it.
For this occasion I made "Goma Miso Dip & Hazelnut Cilantro Dip"
