Grilled Antipasto With Mezzo Soprano Sauce Food

GRILLED VEGETABLE ANTIPASTO WITH HERBED CHEVRE AND CROSTINI

Steps:

• Grilled Vegetable Antipasto:
• 1. Brush the grill grates lightly with the safflower oil. Prepare a hot fire on a gas or charcoal grill.
• 2. Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, and basil in a small bowl until well blended. Brush the zucchini, yellow squash, onion, red bell peppers, and scallions with the olive oil mixture. Place the vegetables on the hot grill and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side until crisp-tender. Season with salt and pepper.
• 3. Soak the sun-dried tomatoes in 1 cup hot water, covered, about 5 minutes or until softened. Drain and set aside. (Note: Eliminate this step if you are using sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil.)
• 4. Arrange the grilled vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, and sliced tomatoes on individual plates or a serving platter. Add a slice of chevre on the side of the vegetables. Drizzle the vegetables with the vinaigrette, and drizzle a little more vinaigrette around the place. Garnish with the parsley and basil. Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired, and serve with crostini.
• Crostini:
• Makes 25 to 30 crostini
• 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
• 2. Slice the bread on a slight angle into 1/4-inch-thick slices and place on a baking pan in a single layer.
• 3. Mix together the olive oil, butter, parsley, dill and pepper in a small bowl.
• 4. Brush one side of each piece of bread with the butter mixture and sprinkle with the salt. Toast in the oven 10 to 15 minutes, until golden brown and crunchy.
• 5.Let cool completely, then store in an air-tight container up to 1 week.
• Herbed Balsamic Vinaigrette:
• 1. Combine the vinegar, lemon juice, herbs, and pepper in a small bowl and stir to mix.
• 2. Slowly add the olive oil and the canola oil and whisk until all the oil is incorporated. Refrigerate in an air-tight container until ready to use or up to 1 week.
• Herbed Chevre:
• 1. Mix the parsley and pepper together on a plate. Roll the chevre log in the mixture, pressing lightly so the seasonings adhere. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill 1 to 2 hours.
• 2. Remove the log from the refrigerator and unwrap. Cut into 1-inch slices with string, dental floss, or wire. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve

ANTIPASTO GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Spread 1/2 tablespoon butter onto one side of a slice of bread and sprinkle with a small pinch each of oregano and garlic powder. Flip the bread, butter side-down on a clean cutting board, then top with 1/4 each of ham, artichokes, olives, pepperoncini. pepperoni and top with mozzarella.
• Spread another ½ tablespoon butter onto a second slice of bread and sprinkle with oregano and garlic powder. Place bread butter-side up on top of sandwich. Repeat to make 4 sandwiches.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place 1 to 2 sandwiches in skillet and cook until the bottom slice of bread is golden and the cheese is starting to melt, about 4 minutes. Carefully flip sandwich and cook until golden underneath, about 4 minutes more. Repeat with remaining sandwiches. Serve immediately.

ANTIPASTO MARINATED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Place 1 in. of water, celery, carrots and green pepper in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until crisp-tender, 5-7 minutes. Drain. Transfer to a large bowl; add artichokes, mushrooms and olives., In a small saucepan, whisk oil, vinegar, onions, garlic, sugar, pepper and salt; bring just to a boil. Pour over vegetables; toss to coat. Cool to room temperature. Stir in pimientos and parsley. Refrigerate until serving.

GRILLED ANTIPASTO

Steps:

• In a bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper flakes to make the marinade.
• Place the zucchini, asparagus, onions, and bell peppers in a large bowl and toss with the marinade, to coat. Let marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours.
• Preheat the grill to very high heat (alternately, preheat the broiler).
• Remove the vegetables from the marinade and lay on the grill, in batches if necessary. Grill over very high heat until marked, about 1 minute per side.
• Remove with tongs and place on a platter to cool slightly.
• (Alternately, arrange in 1 layer on a large baking sheet and broil until beginning to char, 2 to 3 minutes per side.).
• Sprinkle the vegetables with the cheese, pine nuts, and basil. Serve with the bruschetta or as a salad.
• Use whatever vegetables you prefer.