Best Keen Green Veggie Puree Recipes

KEEN GREEN VEGGIE PUREE

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan, and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Arrange the broccoli and swiss chard on the steamer, recover, and steam for 5 to 6 minutes depending on thickness. Add the peas, spinach, and garlic; continue to steam until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes more. Remove the vegetables from the steamer, and reserve 1/2 cup of the hot water.n
• Place the vegetables, hot water, and lemon juice into a blender. Hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender, using a few quick pulses to get the vegetables moving before leaving it on to puree.n
• Cool before serving, or divide the puree into four equal portions and freeze in resealable plastic bags for future use.n

KEEN GREEN VEGGIE PUREE

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan, and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Arrange the broccoli and swiss chard on the steamer, recover, and steam for 5 to 6 minutes depending on thickness. Add the peas, spinach, and garlic; continue to steam until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes more. Remove the vegetables from the steamer, and reserve 1/2 cup of the hot water.n
• Place the vegetables, hot water, and lemon juice into a blender. Hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender, using a few quick pulses to get the vegetables moving before leaving it on to puree.n
• Cool before serving, or divide the puree into four equal portions and freeze in resealable plastic bags for future use.n

PUREE OF GREEN BEANS AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Tear off and discard tips of each green bean. If there are "strings" along the side, strip them off and discard them. Break beans in half or in quarters.
• Bring enough water to a boil to cover beans when they are added. Drop beans into the water and when water returns to the boil let cook 8 to 9 minutes until crisp tender. Drain thoroughly.
• Pour beans into container of a food processor or electric blender and blend until coarsely processed. There should be about two cups.
• Heat butter in a saucepan and add bean puree. Add cream, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Heat, stirring, until piping hot.
• Meanwhile, preheat broiler to high.
• Spoon green bean mixture into a shallow round or oval baking dish and cover evenly with cheese. Place under broiler and cook until cheese is thoroughly melted and nicely browned on top, 3 to 5 minutes.

SNEAKY CHEF'S MAKE-AHEAD GREEN PUREE

Steps:

• Raw baby spinach is preferred to frozen spinach for this recipe (more mild flavor); if you must use frozen spinach, only use 1 cup of it.
• If using raw spinach, thoroughly wash it, even if the package says "prewashed."
• To prepare on the stovetop, pour about 2 inches of water into a pot with a tight-fitting lid. Put a vegetable steamer basket into the pot, add the spinach and broccoli, and steam for about 10 minutes, until very tender. Add the frozen peas to the basket for the last 2 minutes of steaming. Drain.
• To prepare in the microwave, place the broccoli and spinach in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with water, and microwave on high for 8 to 10 minutes, until very tender. Add peas for last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain.
• Place the vegetables in the bowl of your food processor along with 2 tablespoons of water. Puree on high until as smooth as possible. Stop occasionally to push the contents to the bottom. If necessary, use another tablespoon of water to smooth out the puree.
• This recipe makes about 2 cups of puree; double it if you want to store another 2 cups. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or you can freeze 1/4-cup portions in sealed plastic bags or small plastic containers.