Cold String Recipes

Steps:

• Blanch and refresh string beans in salted water.
• In 1 tablespoon olive oil taken from the 1/2 cup, caramelize the minced shallot.
• Put shallot, mustard, vinegar, and vodka in a blender. Slowly drizzle in the remaining oil. Mix in sumakh, salt, and pepper. Serve over string beans (or asparagus).
• Optional: Garnish with a little chopped hard boiled egg and/or finely diced red bell pepper.
• Note: edible ground sumakh is available from Mid-Eastern or Russian markets or spice shop.

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with ice water. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Add the beans and cook for 1 minute only. Time it carefully! You want the beans to be crisp-tender. Drain the beans and put them in the ice water until completely cool. Drain the beans again, dry on paper towels, and place them in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. While whisking, slowly add the olive oil to make an emulsion. Pour enough dressing over the beans to moisten them well, reserving the rest for another use. Toss with the dill, season to taste, and serve at room temperature. (If the beans aren't served immediately, refrigerate them and add a little extra vinaigrette and a sprinkle of salt before serving.)

Steps:

• Puree garlic cloves in the bowl of a food processor. Add sun dried tomatoes and pulse till coarsely crumbled. Add oregano and pulse. Add cheese, 1 tbsp olive oil and balsamic vinegar; pulse till crumbly. Season to taste with salt.
• Measure 3/4 cup of crumbles, reserving remainder for another use. Heat a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add 2 tsp olive oil and heat. Add onions and sauté till limp and just beginning to caramelize. Add zucchini strings and sauté gently until zucchini is bright green, about 4 minutes.
• Add the sun dried tomatoes, parmigiano crumbles and toss to coat zucchini completely.
• Adjust seasonings to taste with kosher salt. Serve immediately with reserved crumbles sprinkled on top.