Grilled Asparagus with Classic Gremolata
This healthy, easy dish is a classic way to serve asparagus in the Italian region of Lombardy—and it only takes a few minutes to put together.
Ingredients:
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
¼ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoons finely chopped Meyer lemon zest
2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Method:
1. To make the gremolata, finely chop the garlic, parsley and lemon zest together on a cutting board until well combined. Transfer to a bowl. (You can prepare the gremolata an hour or two before you cook the asparagus.)
2. Steam or boil the asparagus in salted water until tender, four to five minutes. Remove from the heat, and toss with the gremolata. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix together the lemon juice and olive oil, and drizzle over the asparagus. Serve hot or warm.
Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Vinaigrette
A fresh blend of lemon juice, olive oil and garlic adds big flavor to grilled asparagus stalks.
Ingredients:
2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
1 garlic clove, minced
Juice of 1 Meyer lemon, plus 2 teaspoons lemon zest
½ cup olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, and garlic. Check for seasoning and add salt and pepper, as needed. Set aside.
2. Set a grill cooking grate or basket in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. While the grill is preheating, place asparagus in a large bowl and toss with the tablespoon of olive oil, coating evenly. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Add asparagus to grill and cook, turning occasionally, until well charred and tender, about 6 minutes total depending on the thickness of the stalks. Transfer asparagus to a serving platter and drizzle the vinaigrette over the top. Serve immediately.
Variation: Make it a meal by adding flaked smoked salmon and a fried duck egg to each portion of asparagus!
Simple Grilled Asparagus
Whether charcoal or gas, your barbecue grill will add delightfully smoky flavor to this seasonal favorite!
Ingredients:
1 pound asparagus spears
Olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat your grill for high, direct heat.
2. Prepare the asparagus by breaking or cutting off any tough bottom ends (can save for stock, or discard). Place the asparagus in a pan (to contain the spears while you put them on and take them off the grill). Coat them with olive oil and sprinkle salt over them.
3. Grill the asparagus spears for 5-10 minutes, until nicely charred and just fork tender, turning them every few minutes so that they brown relatively evenly. Remove from grill and serve.
Variations: You can also top grilled spears with freshly-squeezed lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, or for some heat, a smattering of ground chili flakes and sautéed garlic.
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.
Grilled Asparagus & Potatoes with Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette
Tossed with fresh parsley and lemon vinaigrette, this spring side boasts a lovely smokiness from the grill.
Ingredients:
1 pound asparagus stalks, trimmed of tough ends
1 pound fingerling potatoes, washed, scrubbed and cut in half
¼ cup olive oil
¾ cup preserved lemon vinaigrette (see recipe)
¼ cup freshly-chopped parsley
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat a charcoal or gas grill, brush grate lightly with olive oil. On a large sheet pan, spread out asparagus and potatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Over medium heat, grill asparagus and potato halves (cut side down) until tender and just slightly charred, about 8-10 minutes, turning and flipping as needed.
3. Remove from the grill and transfer to a serving platter. Toss with the preserved lemon vinaigrette and fresh parsley, seasoning with more salt and pepper, as needed.
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 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!
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.