Grilled Baby Artichokes with Lemon & Walnut Pesto
These petite grilled artichokes are a wonderful appetizer.
Ingredients:
6-8 baby artichokes
2 lemons, halved
¼ cup lemon juice
½ cup F&L walnut pesto
¼ cup olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. To prep the artichokes, squeeze the juice from the halved lemons into a large bowl of cold water. Snap off the outer dark green leaves of the artichokes so that the pale greenish-yellow inner leaves are visible, then trim off the top half-inch of each artichoke and cut each in half. Using a small knife, cut out the choke and remove any prickly-tipped leaves from the center of the artichoke half. Drop each trimmed wedge into the lemon water as you go.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drain the artichokes and add to the boiling water. Boil until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer the artichokes to a rack to cool.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, walnut pesto, olive oil, salt and pepper. Brush the artichokes with about half of the dressing, then grill until they are tender and lightly-charred in spots, about 5 minutes. Transfer artichokes to a platter and drizzle with remaining dressing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Grilled Artichokes
Cracked pepper and a subtle lemon flavor perfectly accent these beautiful grilled artichokes.
Ingredients:
1 pound artichokes
2 lemons
3 cloves garlic
Olive oil
Fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Get a large pot of heavily-salted water boiling. Add the garlic and squeeze in the juice of 1 lemon, then also drop the peel into the pot.
2. To prep the artichokes, first cut the pointy tops off the leaves. Trim away the tough outer leaves and peel the stems. Cut the chokes in half and use a spoon to remove the inner leaves. Put the artichoke in the boiling water and boil until just tender, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, heat the grill to hot. Drain the chokes and drizzle with a good amount of olive oil and grind some pepper over. Place artichokes on the grill cut side down. Grill for a couple minutes until artichokes start to char, then flip and grill them leaf side down.
4. Transfer to a platter and top with extra lemon juice.
Grilled Corn Salad with Sweet Peppers
This warm salad is crisp and crunchy, boasting a wonderful smoky flavor from the perfectly-charred corn and peppers.
Ingredients:
4 ears sweet corn, shucked
2 sweet peppers, halved and seeded
2 ½-inch-thick onion slices
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon chopped oregano
1 tablespoon finely-chopped chives
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place corn on the grill rack; grill 20 minutes or until charred here-and-there, turning occasionally. Place in a large bowl; cover with foil. Leave in a warm location 10 minutes, then cut corn kernels off cobs, encouraging clusters to stay intact, if possible.
2. Meanwhile, place the peppers and onions on grill rack, and grill 4 minutes on each side. Remove from the grill and coarsely chop both the peppers and onions.
3. Combine the chives, cream, oregano, vinegar and garlic with a healthy pinch each of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add peppers, onions and corn; toss gently to coat. Serve warm.
Italian-Stuffed Artichokes
Our Nonna Pat’s favorite way to serve artichokes!
Ingredients:
1 lemon, halved
6 whole artichokes
¾ cup fresh breadcrumbs
½ cup grated Grana-style cheese
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
Method:
1. To prep the artichokes, squeeze the lemon halves into a large bowl and fill the bowl with cold water. Trim the bottom off each artichoke. Trim off the tough outer leaves and snip the thorny tips off the top leaves. As each one is completed, place it in the lemon water to prevent it from discoloring.
2. In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic and parsley and then season with salt and pepper. Pull each leaf open slightly from each artichoke and stuff a little of the filling into the opening. Place the artichokes snugly side by side in a large pan with a tight-fitting lid. Add 1 inch of water to the pot. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and steam until the bottoms of the artichokes are tender, 35 to 45 minutes; a knife should insert easily.
3. Remove from pot and serve artichokes hot.
Grilled Carrots
Brushed with our signature grill rub, these carrots are infused with smoky-sweet flavor.
Ingredients:
1 bunch carrots, trimmed of greens, then peeled and cut in half lengthwise
2-3 tablespoons F&L house-blend dry rub
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt
Freshly-chopped herbs of your choice, such as parsley, oregano and tarragon
Method:
1. Place carrots on a sheet pan and brush them lightly with olive oil on both sides. Season liberally with the dry rub.
2. Preheat the grill to medium-high and then place the carrots directly on grill or in a grill basket. Grill until crisp-tender, about 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally during cooking.
3. Remove the carrots to a plate, sprinkle with salt and fresh herbs. Serve immediately.
Grilled Corn with Dry Grill Rub
An innovative use for our housemade rub!
Ingredients:
4 ears sweet corn, shucked
Olive oil
2 tablespoons Farm & Larder dry grill rub
Method:
1. Preheat grill to medium-high.
2. In a shallow dish, add a very thin layer of olive oil. Roll each ear of corn in oil to lightly coat. Then rub each with about 2 teaspoons of the dry grilling rub, rotating as you do so to make sure rub is evenly distributed.
3. Place corn on grill and cook, rotating occasionally to apply heat to all sides, until sections of the corn are lightly blackened and the kernels are bright yellow. Remove and serve immediately.
Variations: This rub is also wonderful sprinkled over grilled peppers or summer squash.
Grilled Padrón Peppers
These small, slightly-sweet (but sometimes spicy!) peppers get an extra dose of smoky flavor courtesy of a quick sear on the grill.
Ingredients:
½ pound Padrón peppers, washed and thoroughly dried
1 tablespoon olive oil
Coarse sea salt, such as fleur de sel or Maldon
Method:
1. Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to high (about 450° to 550°). Meanwhile, place the peppers in a medium bowl, add the olive oil, and toss to coat; set aside.
2. When the grill is ready, place the peppers on the grill in a single layer, making sure they’re not touching. Grill uncovered, turning occasionally, until the peppers start to char and blister, about 6 to 8 minutes total.
3. Remove to a serving plate, season immediately with the sea salt, and serve.
Grilled Lacinato Kale Spread
This creamy spread from the new cookbook, Any Night Grilling, is delicious slathered on slices of grilled bread.
Ingredients:
1 bunch Lacinato kale
1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for grilling
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Pinch red pepper flakes
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
½ cup crumbled sheep’s milk feta
Rustic bread, such as this week’s Italian Rustica, sliced
1 clove garlic, peeled and halved lengthwise
Flaky sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium high, then carefully wipe the preheated grates with a lightly-oiled paper towel.
2. In a large bowl, combine the Greek yogurt with the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, and red pepper flakes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then fold in the sheep’s milk cheese.
3. Working in batches, grill the kale leaves until lightly charred, 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and cool slightly. Use a knife to trim the thick ribs from each leaf, then finely chop the kale leaves. Fold into the yogurt mixture.
4. Grill the bread slices over direct heat until charred, about 1 minute per side. While still war, rub 1 side of each toast with the cut side of the garlic. Top each toast with a slather of creamy kale, drizzle with olive oil and top with flaky sea salt, then serve.
Braised Baby Artichokes
Simmered with white wine and chicken stock, these baby artichokes are melt-in-your-mouth tender. (Try spooning them over pasta with some freshly-grated Grana cheese!)
Ingredients:
1¼ pounds baby artichokes
1 lemon, halved
½ cup chicken stock
¼ cup dry white wine
3 tablespoons olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
Method:
1. Fill a large bowl with water, and juice lemon into water. Reserve lemon halves. Remove tough outer leaves of artichokes. Trim pointy tops and stems, rubbing artichokes with lemon halves and then transferring them to the lemon water as you work to prevent discoloration. Cut larger baby artichokes in half lengthwise if desired.
2. Drain artichokes, and transfer to a large skillet along with stock, wine, and oil. Set over medium-high heat, and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally until artichokes are tender and golden and liquid has completely evaporated, about 12-15 minutes. Add minced garlic, toss and sauté until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately. If desired, top with toasted, buttered bread crumbs for an added crunch.
Grilled Peppers & Zucchini
Serve these classic grilled vegetables from Domenica Marchetti’s The Glorious Vegetables of Italy atop warm bread.
Ingredients:
3-4 frying peppers
2 zucchini, sliced into ¼-inch pieces
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 garlic clove, sliced thin
Sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat gas or charcoal grill to medium-high, then place whole peppers on grate and grill until skins are blistered and blackened. Add zucchini slices and also grill until just soft with grill marks.
2. Transfer grilled peppers to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and let stand about 10 minutes. Remove peppers and lay on cutting board. Cut each in half, seeding and stemming, then scrape off charred skin with a knife. Cut into thin strips.
3. Drizzle olive oil over peppers and zucchini, season with salt and sprinkle with parsley. Toss to coat, then add slices of garlic. Allow to sit for 30 minutes to meld flavors before serving.
Variation: Try rubbing both the zucchini and peppers with our signature F&L dry rub before grilling—delicious!