Grilled Vegetable Antipasto With Herbed Chevre And Crostini Recipes

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.

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

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine all the ingredients except the olive oil. Using the pulse button, process until coarsely chopped and well blended. Continue to process, slowly adding the olive oil. Refrigerate in a covered container. Use as needed.
• To prepare ahead:
• Tapenade will keep up to 1 week, refrigerated, in a covered container.

Steps:

• Mix olive oil, vinegar, garlic, sugar, salt and black pepper. Place vegetables in a large non-reactive baking dish. Cover with marinade and let sit for 1 hour, turning vegetables every 15 minutes.
• Heat grill on high. Grill vegetables until all are marked and cooked through. Remove once browned; do not let vegetables burn. Arrange the vegetables on a platter.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Transfer to a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 14 in. x 12 in.). Fold foil over vegetables and seal tightly. , Grill, covered, over medium heat for 6-7 minutes on each side or until vegetables are tender. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape.

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.

Steps:

• HERBED CHREVE SPREAD.
• Using a wooden spoon, break up cheese in a mixing bowl. Slowly stir in heavy cream, mixing well between additions. When smooth, add remaining ingredients, stirring well. Scoop into a serving crock, sprinkle with additional herbs and serve with crostini, whole-wheat pitas or crackers. Covered and refrigerated, this cheese spread mellows and keeps well for several days. Makes 2 cups.
• CROSTINI.
• Cut a couple of baguettes (preferably day-old) into 1/4" slices. Fill a small pot with olive oil and set over medium-low heat. When warmed, add garlic; turn off heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Drain oil into a small bowl, discarding garlic. Brush garlic oil on one side of baguette slices. Grill oiled side of baguette slices on a BBQ until lightly charred. Serve warm with cheese spread.