Friday, May 16, 2008

Grilled Vegetables

Grilled Vegetables
Summer time with the abundance of fresh vegetables and the opportunity to grill make dinner preparation such a breeze! This is a Williams and Sonoma recipe which is a favorite. I hope it will become your favorite.
Ingredients:
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup flat leaf parsley leaves
1/2 cup olive oil plus 2 Tablespoons for brushing
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 eggplant( 1-1/4 lb.) trimmed and cut crosswise into 1/2" thick slices
2 zucchini trimmed and thickly sliced lengthwise
2 red or yellow bell peppers
6 green onions, including the tops, trimmed
Sea salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, *optional
Directions:
Mince together the garlic and parsley. Transfer to a small bowl and add the 1/2 cup olive oil and the vinegar and mix well.
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Oil the grilling rack. Brush the vegetables with the 2 tablespoons olive oil. Using tongs lay the eggplant and zucchini slices, the peppers and the green onions over the hottest part of the coals or grill. Cook the eggplant and zucchini slices, turning once, until both sides have grill marks and the slices are tender, about six minutes total for the egg[plant and about 3 minutes total for the zucchini. Grill the green onions, turning as needed, until the skin is blackened and evenly blistered on all sides, about 10 minutes total. Grill the peppers, turning as needed, until the skin is blackened and evenly blistered on all sides, about 10 minutes total.
As the vegetables finish cooking, transfer the eggplant, zucchini, and onions to a platter. Place the peppers in a bag and fold over the top so they will steam. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then remove from bag and remove the skins and stems. Slit the peppers lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes, cut into 1/2 inch wide strips. Add the peppers to the platter.
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Drizzle the olive oil-parsley mixture evenly over the vegetables and sprinkle with salt and if using the red pepper flakes. Serve at once.
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TIP I grill my bell peppers first and then proceed with the remaining vegetables so everything is completed at about the same time.

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