Braised celery

 
                               Braised Celery
 
 Recipe By     : Magazine
 Serving Size  : 8    Preparation Time :0:00
 Categories    : Vegetables
 
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
 --------  ------------  --------------------------------
    4      bunches       celery OR 4 celery hearts
    6      tbsp          butter or margarine
    1                    onion -- sliced
    1                    carrot -- peeled and sliced
    1 1/2  tsp           salt
                         freshly ground pepper
    2      c             chicken broth
    1                    bay leaf
 
 Trim root ends off celery and remove top leaves (save them for the soup pot).  
 Trim each stalk to about 7".  Scrape off tough fibers on outer ribs.  Cut each 
 stalk in half lengthwise and rinse well.  In a lg saucepot, heat 3 qts water to
  boiling.  Add celery and cook for 10 min.  Drain well.
 Preheat oven to 350F.  In lg skillet melt 2 tbl butter.  Add onion and carrot a
 nd saute for 5 min.  Spoon into 13x9" baking dish.  In same skillet, melt remai
 ning butter.  Add celery and saute about 5 min until lightly browned.  Place ce
 lery in baking dish in single layer, cut side up.  Sprinkle with salt and peppe
 r.  Add broth and bay leaf to skillet and heat to boiling; pour over celery.  B
 ake 30 min or until tender.  Remove bay leaf.  (May be prepared in advance up t
 o this point.  Remove from oven, cover and store at room temp up to 6 hrs.  Pla
 ce in a preheated 250F oven for up to 1 hr.)  Transfer to platter.
 
                    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
 NOTES : "We think the virtues of cooked celery are often overlooked.  As an alt
 ernative, you might try fennel, if available."
 
 Makes 8 servings, about 100 calories each.