Instructions: "As the vegetables are eaten cold, rather than hot, they can be made in quantity and kept in the refrigerator in containers, to be brought out when you want a simple first course or cold vegetables for a summer buffet. Serve the different vegetables in the small serving dishes called raviers, or in flat pottery or glass dishes. A sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley or, if you like the flavor, chopped fresh coriander, makes a pleasant garnish."

Court bouillon:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1/3 cup dry white wine or vermouth
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 bay leaf
1 or 2 cloves garlic, peeled
Dash of hot pepper sauce
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, tarragon, oregano, basil; or 1 teaspoon each
dried
Select from the following vegetables: young, tender green beans, wax beans, whole green onions or tiny white onions, small and firm mushroom caps, whole or halved leeks, halved or quartered fennel bulbs, fingers or cubes of eggplant, small and firm zucchini halved or thickly sliced, halved celery hearts, buds of broccoli or cauliflower, tiny young carrots, tiny pattypan squash, artichoke bottoms, or trimmed and quartered artichokes with choke removed (see note).

Put the oil, vinegar, wine, salt, pepper, bay leaf, garlic, hot pepper sauce, thyme, tarragon, oregano and basil in a large, shallow pan or deep skillet, then add a cleaned, trimmed vegetable and just enough water barely to cover. The court bouillon is sufficient for 1 pound of green beans or carrots, or 1 large eggplant, cubed, or 8 artichoke bottoms or a dozen mushroom caps.

Bring the liquid to a boil very slowly over medium heat, then reduce the heat and poach until the vegetable is just crisply tender when pierced with a fork or the point of a small sharp knife. Do not overcook.

Remove from the heat, taste the liquid for seasoning and add salt, if needed; then let the vegetable cool in the liquid. When cool, transfer to a refrigerator container or serving dish. Strain the poaching liquid and use again for other vegetables. If necessary, add more water.

Note: Do not simmer vegetables together, as they will have different cooking times. Cook your selections separately.

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