Garden Vegetable Platter with Pepper-Dijon Dressing (make ahead)

FOR THE VEGETABLES:*
3 large beets
1 pound green beans
2 cups fresh corn kernels (from 4 ears corn)
2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 medium cucumber, cut into chunks
1 medium red onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
For the Pepper-Dijon Dressing:
2 teaspoons Tabasco hot pepper sauce
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup olive oil

to prepare the vegetables:
Cut stems from beets. Place beets in 3-quart saucepan, cover with water and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 30 minutes or until beets are tender. Drain. When cool enough to handle, peel and cut into bite-size chunks. Set aside.

Place beans in 2-quart saucepan, cover with water and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 3 to 5 minutes until tender-crisp. With slotted spoon, remove to plate.

Add corn kernels to the same saucepan and liquid, and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 1 to 3 minutes or until tender. Drain.

Arrange piles of beets, green beans, corn, tomatoes, cucumber and red onion on large platter. Sprinkle with feta cheese. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

To prepare the Pepper-Dijon Dressing:
Combine hot pepper sauce, vinegar, mustard and salt in a medium bowl; whisk in olive oil until well blended.

To serve:
Spoon dressing over vegetables.

*For any of the vegetables suggested, you may substitute your choice of cooked carrots, sugar snap peas, zucchini or yellow squash, combined as desired.

Makes 8 servings
Source: Tabasco/McIlhenny Co.