Late Spring Alfresco Menu

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Crab Rolls

Make these crab rolls ahead, and take them on a picnic. You can find a 12-pack of dinner rolls in the bakery section of your local supermarket. Substitute lobster or chopped shrimp for crab, if desired.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 2 rolls)

Ingredients
1/4 cup finely chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion
1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
1 pound lump crabmeat, drained and shell pieces removed
1 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
12 (1-ounce) dinner rolls, cut in half horizontally
12 Boston lettuce leaves (about 1 small head)
6 plum tomatoes, each cut into 4 slices
Preparation
Combine first 7 ingredients in a large bowl; toss well.

Spread butter onto cut sides of rolls. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 6 roll halves, cut side down, in pan for 1 minute or until toasted. Repeat procedure with remaining roll halves. Spoon 1/4 cup crab mixture onto each bottom roll half. Place 1 piece of lettuce and 2 tomato slices on crab mixture; top with remaining roll halves.



Baby Artichokes with Creamy Horseradish-Dill Dip

This recipe showcases the bold, distinct flavor of this delicious thistle. Cool, refreshing yogurt and dill get a kick from horseradish for a dipping sauce that doubles as a dressing for fresh veggies or a vibrant sandwich spread. Artichokes contain potassium, vitamin A, and antioxidants, so you can feel great about serving them.

If there are any pink or purple leaves in the center of the artichoke, scoop them out with a spoon or cut them out with a knife; they'd be tough even after cooking. Soaking the artichokes in lemon water prevents them from browning.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: one-fourth artichoke halves and about 2 tablespoons dip)

Ingredients
4 cups cold water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 pounds baby artichokes (about 10 artichokes)
1 lemon, halved
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
1/4 cup (2 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Fresh dill sprigs (optional)
Preparation
Combine water and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Working with one artichoke at a time, bend back outer green leaves of artichokes, snapping at base, until reaching light green leaves. Trim about 1 inch from top of artichoke. Cut off stem of artichoke to within 1 inch of base; peel stem. Cut artichoke in half vertically. Rub edges with cut lemon, and place artichoke halves in lemon water. Repeat with remaining artichokes. Steam artichoke halves for 12 minutes or until tender.

Combine yogurt and next 6 ingredients (through pepper). Serve artichoke halves with dip; garnish with dill sprigs, if desired.


Strawberry Agua Fresca

Take advantage of the season's ripe, juicy strawberries for a drink that's the perfect way to begin a meal on a warm spring day. You can adjust the amount of sugar to taste, but peak-season berries shouldn't need much―if any―added sweetener. Garnish with a simple berry or a single edible bloom for an elegant touch.

Spanish for "fresh water," agua fresca is a refreshing, fruit-infused drink that is served throughout Mexico. Depending on the ripeness of the berries, adjust the amount of sugar for desired sweetness.

Yield
8 cups (serving size: 1 1/3 cups)

Ingredients
4 cups water
1/3 cup sugar
6 cups hulled strawberries
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
Preparation
Combine water and sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves. Place strawberries in a blender, and process until smooth. Combine the sugar mixture, strawberry puree, and juice; stir well.


Flatbread with Pancetta and Asparagus

Splurge on good-quality ingredients―pancetta, fresh asparagus, shaved Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese―for a show-stopping appetizer (or a stand-alone meal paired with with soup and salad). Homemade dough is worth the extra effort for the delicious golden crust on this memorable flatbread.

Sea salt adds a nice crunch to the topping, but kosher salt works, too. Use very thin asparagus spears, or cut thicker ones in half lengthwise. For a little extra bite, add a sprinkling of black pepper before serving. Enjoy any leftover bread with soup and salad.

Yield
8 servings (serving size: 1 wedge)

Ingredients
Dough:
1/2 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
1 teaspoon dry yeast
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Cooking spray

Topping:
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 ounces pancetta, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
1/4 cup (1 ounce) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup (1 ounce) shaved fresh Parmesan cheese
Preparation
To prepare dough, combine warm water and yeast in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add 1 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt to yeast mixture; stir until blended. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead dough until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (the dough will feel sticky).

Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 45 minutes or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If an indentation remains, dough has risen enough.)

While dough rises, prepare topping. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add thyme, pancetta, and garlic; sauté 5 minutes or until pancetta is crisp. Stir in 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 475°.

Punch dough down; cover and let rest 5 minutes. Roll the dough into a 10-inch circle on a floured surface. Place dough on a baking sheet. Spread topping evenly over dough. Arrange the asparagus over topping; sprinkle with mozzarella. Bake at 475° for 10 minutes or until crust is golden. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with Parmesan


Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Brûlées

Sweeter than their run-of-the-mill counterparts, Meyer lemons elevate this créme brûlée recipe to a perfect finale for this special-occasion menu. A sprinkle of Rosemary adds another layer of flavor and aroma. Make this recipe a day ahead and chill overnight in the fridge. Sprinkle with sugar and torch the caramelized crust just before serving.

Meyer lemons are rounder and sweeter than regular lemons and have a subtle flowery scent. If you can't find Meyer lemons, use two teaspoons regular lemon rind.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 1 brûlée)

Ingredients
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup evaporated fat-free milk
1 tablespoon grated Meyer lemon rind
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 cup sugar
3 large egg yolks
2 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sugar
Preparation
Combine the first 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan. Heat mixture over medium heat to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil), stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Cover and steep 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325°.

Combine 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks, and eggs in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Strain milk mixture through a sieve into egg mixture, stirring well with a whisk. Stir in vanilla. Return mixture to pan. Cook over medium-low heat 5 minutes or until mixture coats a spoon.

Divide the mixture evenly among 4 (6-ounce) ramekins. Place ramekins in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan; add hot water to pan to a depth of 1 inch.

Bake at 325° for 30 minutes or until center barely moves when ramekin is touched. Remove ramekins from pan; cool completely on a wire rack. Cover and chill at least 1 hour or overnight.

Sift 2 tablespoons sugar evenly over custards. Holding a kitchen blowtorch about 2 inches from the top of each custard, heat the sugar, moving the torch back and forth, until sugar is completely melted and caramelized (for about 1 minute). Serve immediately.

Source: Cooking Light