Herbed Grilled Summer Veggies Food

GRILLED HERB VINAIGRETTE WITH GRILLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high.
• Drizzle the carrots on a baking sheet with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with salt and use a small strainer to sprinkle evenly with the cumin. Arrange the bell pepper halves cut-side up next to the carrots, then drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with salt and sift with paprika.
• Cut the outer layer off the leeks and trim and discard 2 inches off the top. Split the leeks lengthwise and rinse the dirt out from the inside layers. Wipe dry and keep them in intact halves. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Grill the vegetables (leeks and peppers cut-side down) in a single layer in a medium-hot area of the grill. Close the lid and cook until you see liquid emerge, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn everything on its second side, then close the lid and cook until the peppers are tender but still hold their shape, 5 to 8 more minutes.
• Move the peppers to a cooler or foiled area of the grill, then close the lid and let the carrots and leeks continue to cook until tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, an additional 5 to 8 minutes.
• Season the parsley in a bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Place the parsley on a medium-hot part of the grill and cook until fairly charred, 10 to 12 minutes. Chop the parsley finely. Drizzle the jalapeno with 1 tablespoon olive oil and grill until charred, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the jalapeno from the grill and coarsely chop.
• Combine the red wine vinegar, brown sugar and orange juice in a medium bowl until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, the mustard, parsley and jalapeno. Taste for seasoning.
• Place the leeks on a flat surface and cut each half into 3 even pieces. Cut the peppers in half again. Arrange the carrots, peppers and leeks on a serving platter and top with the dressing.

GRILLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush the vegetables with 1/4 cup of the oil to coat lightly. Sprinkle the vegetables with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the vegetables until tender and lightly charred all over, about 8 to 10 minutes for the bell peppers; 7 minutes for the yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms; 4 minutes for the asparagus and green onions. Arrange the vegetables on a platter. The key to getting those great grill marks is to not shift the vegetables too frequently once they've been placed on the hot grill.
• Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, parsley, basil, and rosemary in a small bowl to blend. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the herb mixture over the vegetables. Serve the vegetables, warm or at room temperature.

HERBED GRILLED SUMMER VEGGIES

Steps:

• 1. Slice eggplant crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Sprinkle with salt on both sides and set aside for 30 minutes. Rinse salt from eggplant; pat dry with paper towels.
• 2. Cut squash and zucchini in half lengthwise. Cut pepper into 1-inch wide strips. Brush all vegetables lightly with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Place on grill over medium heat. Grill for 8 minutes on each side or until fork tender and brown. Remove from heat, place in a serving dish with sides. Mix 1/4 cup olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, parsley and basil. Pour over cooked vegetables. Let stand for at least 15 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers.

GRILLED HERBED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl combine the olive oil, garlic, rosemary or basil, and the salt.
• Add the vegetables to oil mixture, tossing to coat.
• Spoon vegetable mixture onto a 24x12-inch piece of heavy foil.
• Bring opposite edges of foil together; seal tightly with a double fold.
• Fold in remaining ends to completely enclose vegetables, leaving a little space for steam to build.
• Grill the vegetable packet on a grill rack directly over medium-hot coals about 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender, turning the packet over halfway through the cooking time.
• (Or, bake vegetables in a 350 degree oven about 25 minutes or until tender.) Season vegetables to taste with pepper.
• Makes 4 side-dish servings.

GRILLED LOBSTER AND SUMMER VEGETABLES WITH SPICY HERBED BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to high.
• In a food processor, combine the butter, garlic, jalapeno, parsley, lemon juice, and chives. Season with salt and pepper and process until well combined. Place in a small container. Remove a few tablespoons of the herbed butter and set aside. This reserved butter will be used to finish the lobsters and vegetables once they are off the grill and prevent cross contamination.
• Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Place the lobsters in the boiling water and blanch just until the shells turn red, but the meat is not cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove the lobsters and let cool slightly. Slice the lobsters in half lengthwise. Brush the meat and inside of the lobsters with some of the herbed butter, about 1 tablespoon per lobster half. Place the lobsters on the grill, flesh side down and cook until the meat has grill marks and starts to turn opaque and firm up, about 5 minutes.
• While the lobsters are cooking, start the grilled vegetables. Drizzle the vegetables and lemon wedges with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the vegetables and lemon wedges on the grill and brush with some of the compound butter. Grill until tender and browned, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Turn the lobsters over and grill an additional 3 to 4 minutes, brushing with more butter, if desired. Remove the lobsters and vegetables to a large platter. Squeeze some of the grilled lemon wedges over the tail meat. If desired, serve with some of the reserved herbed butter.