Grilled Antipasto Platter Food

ANTIPASTO PLATTER WITH GRILLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Prepare the artichokes: Fill a saucepan with water; squeeze in the lemon juice. Add the squeezed lemon halves to the water and season with salt.
• Cut off and discard the top one-quarter of each artichoke with a serrated knife. Snap off the tough outer leaves. Peel the stem and base with a paring knife. Halve the artichokes lengthwise and drop into the saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil, then uncover, reduce the heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the artichokes sit in the hot liquid until just tender, 5 to 10 minutes; drain.
• Whisk the olive oil, both vinegars, the sugar, herbs, garlic and tomato juice in a bowl. Put the artichokes and bell peppers in another bowl; drizzle with the vinegar mixture and let marinate 10 to 20 minutes.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high. Grill the artichokes and peppers, turning, until browned, about 8 minutes. (Or, roast on a rimmed baking sheet in a 400 degrees F oven, 10 to 15 minutes.)
• Assemble the platter: Arrange the cheeses, cured meats, tapenade, artichokes and bell peppers on a board or platter. Serve with the bread.

EASY GRILLED ANTIPASTO PLATTER

Steps:

• Preheat grill.
• Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, rosemary, salt and pepper and set aside.
• Thread 4 scallops on each of 4 skewers.
• Thread 4 shrimp on each of 4 skewers.
• Thread 6 mushrooms on each of 2 more skewers.
• Cut bacon in half crosswise.
• Wrap 2 asparagus spears together with strip of bacon and secure with toothpick. Repeat with remaining spears.
• Wrap each artichoke heart in strip of bacon and thread onto remaining 2 skewers.
• Place all skewers, pepper strips, zucchini slices, artichoke hearts and asparagus spears on baking sheet.
• Reserve 1/4 cup of lemon baste.
• Brush remaining baste on skewers and vegetables, coating all sides.
• Grill 7-12 minutes or until seafood firms up and turns opaque, vegetables are done, and bacon crisps up, turning occasionally. Rotate items on grill as need to ensure even doneness.
• Items will be done at different times, remove to platter as they get done.
• Drizzle remaining lemon baste over all.
• Serve with lemon wedges, hot or at room temperature.

GRILLED ANTIPASTO PLATTER

Steps:

• To make the Garlic and Herb Oil, put all the ingredients into a small saucepan and put it over low heat. Cook for about 5 minutes, just until it becomes aromatic. Set aside and allow the oil to cool.
• Bring a large pot of water to a simmer. Squeeze in the juice from 1 lemon and throw the lemon halves in as well. Trim and halve the artichokes and remove the chokes. Put them into the pot and cook them until they are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Heat the grill to low. Have a large shallow dish filled with 1 cup olive oil. Coat the eggplant, zucchini, peppers, artichokes, scallions, and tomatoes separately with the oil. Grill the vegetables, basting generously with the Garlic and Herb Oil, until tender and soft: about 10 minutes for the eggplant, 8 minutes for the zucchini, 15 minutes for the peppers, 10 minutes for the artichokes, and 5 minutes for the scallions and tomatoes. Arrange them on a large platter and garnish with the olives, cheese, and herbs. Squeeze over the remaining lemon juice and drizzle with a bit of olive oil.