Sunday, November 9, 2014

Braised Vegetables in Olive Oil

Lesley Porcelli contributed this recipe to Saveur. I definitely like the flavors of this recipe but I think it could use some help because the bottom layers of vegetables got too burnt and it just seemed like they were wasted. It certainly can be that my Dutch oven gets too hot and I just haven't learned how to regulate it, but I think doing things in the following way would be better.

1. Put 1/2 c olive oil, anchovy paste, chile flakes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, and lemon slices in a 6-qt. Dutch oven. Place over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and the garlic and the lemon slices are lightly browned, up to 5 minutes, but make sure they don't burn. 

2. Reserve everything to a small bowl. Do not wipe out the Dutch oven. Add the remaining 1/2 c oil and let it heat up. 

3. Add the zucchini in a single layer and cook, without stirring, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Flip the zucchini, and cook for 5 minutes more.

4. Add the potatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower to the pot and stir to coat in oil. Cook, covered, without stirring, until the vegetables begin to brown and soften, about 30 minutes. Make sure to adjust the heat so things don't char. At 15 minutes add the reserved items from Steps 1-2. Stir vegetables gently to let the oil seep down over the layers and continue to cook without stirring for another 15 minutes.

 5. Stir vegetables gently, replace the lid, and reduce the heat to as low as necessary so the vegetables can cook until they are very soft and tender without burning, up to 60 minutes more.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. anchovy paste
½ tsp. crushed red chile flakes
6 sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced lengthwise
6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed with the side of a knife
6 sprigs rosemary
1 lemon, ends trimmed, thinly sliced crosswise, seeds removed
1 large zucchini, cut diagonally into 1½″-long pieces
1 lb. baby Yukon Gold or new potatoes
1 medium head broccoli, cut into florets, stalk cut into large pieces
½ medium head cauliflower, cut into florets, stalk cut into large pieces
2 tbsp. finely chopped parsley
2 sprigs marjoram, stems removed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Put the olive oil, anchovy paste, chile flakes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, and lemon slices in a 6-qt. Dutch oven. Place over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and the garlic and the lemon slices are lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the zucchini in a single layer and cook, without stirring, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Flip the zucchini, and cook for 5 minutes more.

3. Add the potatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower to the pot and stir once or twice to coat in oil. Cook, covered, without stirring, until the vegetables begin to brown and soften, about 30 minutes.

4. Stir vegetables gently, replace the lid, and reduce the heat to medium-low; cook until the vegetables are very soft and tender, about 60 minutes more.

5. Remove the vegetables from the heat, and stir in parsley and marjoram. Season with salt and pepper.

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