Braised And Gratinéed Celery Stalks With Parmesan Recipes

BRAISED CELERY WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Peel the tough, fibrous layers from the outer celery ribs. Split the ribs lengthwise and cut into 2 to 3-inch long pieces. Chop 2 tablespoons of the celery leaves, save the rest for other uses¿they are great in salads.
• Put the celery, broth, olive oil, garlic, celery seeds, and thyme in a medium skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, and then adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Place a circle of parchment paper directly on the vegetables or set a lid slightly ajar on the skillet. Cook until the celery is tender but not mushy, about 15 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a serving dish, and reduce the cooking liquid to a saucy glaze. Remove the thyme sprig, and pour the cooking liquid over the celery, sprinkle with the cheese, and serve.

BRAISED AND GRATINéED CELERY

Steps:

• Trim the tops of the celery and separate the stalks. Lightly peel the stalks to remove the strings. Cut the stalks into lengths of about 3 inches. Drop into 2 to 3 quarts of rapidly boiling water and, 2 minutes after the water returns to a boil, drain and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the onion in a saucepan with the butter and sauté over medium heat until translucent but not browned. Add the pancetta, stir and sauté for about 1 minute. Add the celery, a light sprinkling of salt and pepper and sauté for 5 minutes, turning the celery from time to time.
• Add the broth, cover the pan and cook at a gentle simmer until the celery is tender at the pricking of a fork.
• Arrange the cooked celery in a baking dish with the inner sides of the stalks facing up. Spoon the sautéed onion and pancetta over the celery, then add the grated cheese. Place the dish on the uppermost rack of the oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese has formed a slight crust. Allow to settle for a few minutes, then serve.

BRAISED CELERY WITH VERMOUTH-BUTTER GLAZE

Steps:

• Trim celery. Reserve leaves. Separate stalks, rinse, and remove outer fibers with a vegetable peeler. Halve each stalk lengthwise, cut on an angle into 2-inch lengths.
• Bring 1 cup water and vermouth, butter, salt, celery seed, pepper, and celery to boil in medium saute pan, covering surface of celery with parchment or waxed paper circle. (Liquid should come about 3/4 way up the celery pieces). Reduce heat to simmer; cook until celery is tender, but not mushy, 15-20 minutes. Remove paper; stir in celery leaves. Continue to simmer until broth reduces to light glaze, 5-7 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley, adjust seasonings, and serve.
• Glazed celery with parmesan cheese:.
• Follow recipe for Braised Celery above, adjusting oven rack to upper middle position and heating broiler. Transfer glazed celery to ovenproof dish, sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and broil until cheese browns, 1-3 minutes.