Plat de crudités
Plat de crudités or a plate of raw vegetables served with a dip is a simple, but delicious French appetizer. Vegetables such as carrots, peppers, or cucumbers are cut into "sticks" and served with a tasty dip before the main course arrives on a table. You can prepare such plate in no time and serve it to your party guests. You will notice people who normally do not eat raw vegetable enjoying the raw treat if you offer a variety of interesting dips and dressings. There is no limit to your creativity.
Dried cherry tomatoes, crashed hot chili and garlic
Santa Fe dip is my way to enjoy my freshly picked raw veggies in New Mexico. With a little trick this dip can be changed into a delicious salad dressing. The ingredients can also be used to spice raw milk cheese, especially if you decide to make one yourself.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup dried tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp crushed hot chili peppers
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- pinch ground cumin
- pinch ground cinnamon
- pinch pink Himalaya salt
- 1 Tbsp purified water
- 4-5 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup raw milk yogurt or raw nut creamy cheese
Method:
- Grind dried tomatoes in food processor or crush them with a pestle to obtain nice, red flakes. Place in a mixing bowl.
- Add hot chili flakes and spices. Add water and mix well and set aside for a few minutes.
- Mince garlic and mix it with all the other ingredients.
- Pour olive oil into the bowl.
- Add yogurt and mix everything thoroughly. You should obtain a creamy dip that is not too thick, but also not too flawing. Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator while you are preparing your veggies: carrots, celery, bell peppers, radishes, broccoli, zucchini, etc.
- Serve chilled with a platter of raw vegetables. Enjoy in good company!
Red chili ristras at El Rancho de las Golondrinas near Santa Fe
By adding some lime juice, more yogurt, more olive oil, and a little less dried tomatoes you can whisk a wonderfully spicy salad dressing. Experiment! Life is so much more interesting when you do.
In radiant health, passionately raw - Dominique
Santa Fe image by Jo Scarborough