Vegetable Basket with Three Dipping Sauces

Vegetable Basket with Three Dipping Sauces

Vegetables which are blanched and refreshed:

Asparagus-2 minutes
Broccoli, cut into 2-3 inch pieces-1-2 minutes
Cauliflower, cut into small florets-1-2 minutes
Green beans-3-4 minutes
Raw vegetables:
Turnips-cut into julienne strips
Red, green and yellow peppers-cut into strips
Jicama-cut into julienne strips
Small whole mushrooms-stemmed and acidulated with lemon juice
Snow peas-remove strings
Radishes-cut large ones in half, soak in ice water
Fennel-cut into julienne strips
Carrots, cut into julienne strips
Zucchini-cut into julienne strips
Scallions-"feather'' the crisp tops-soak in ice water
Cucumbers-sliced or julienned

Chilli Pepper Dipping Sauce:

1 4-ounce can green chiles, chopped
1 large sweet red pepper or pimiento, roasted and chopped
1 teaspoon Hungarian paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon mild chili powder
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt, to taste
2 cups mayonnaise, homemade or a good commercial one
Chopped fresh cilantro

Stir together all ingredients, except cilantro.

Sprinkle cilantro on top.

Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Serve chilled.

Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

Watercress Dipping Sauce

2 large bunches watercress. stems removed and finely chopped
1 cup chopped parsley (Flat leaf variety if available)
4 scallions, trimmed and finely chopped
2 cups natural sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Dash hot pepper sauce and salt to taste

Stir together until well blended.

Chill until ready to serve.

Best if chilled a couple of hours.

Garnish with some extra chopped watercress or parsley.

Makes about 3 1/2 cups.

Fresh Herb Dipping Sauce:

1/4 cup chopped sweet salad onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, dill, and marjoram
1 /4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon canned green peppercorns, drained
Salt, to taste.
Stir together and chill until serving time.

Best if chilled at least 1 hour.

Makes about 2 cups.