Grilled Peaches with Almond Whipped Cream
Drizzled with honey and topped with toasted almonds, these peaches are simply stunning for dessert.
Ingredients:
4 peaches, halved
1 teaspoon melted butter
3 teaspoons honey, divided
2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
â…“ cup whipping cream
½ teaspoon almond extract
1 ½ tablespoons powdered sugar
Method:
1. Heat a grill or grill pan over medium high heat.
2. In a small dish whisk together the melted butter and a teaspoon of honey. Cut the peaches in half and brush the melted honey butter on the cut side.
3. Place the peaches cut-side down onto the heated grill pan. Grill the peaches for about 2-3 minutes until softened and just slightly charred, and then remove and place them cut-side up onto a plate.
4. Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or a hand mixer, add the whipping cream, almond extract, and powdered sugar and beat the whipped cream until stiff peaks form.
5. To serve, spoon about a tablespoon of the whipped cream on top of each peach half, then sprinkle on the sliced almonds and drizzle on the remaining 2 teaspoons of honey.
Grilled-Roasted Garlic
Forget turning on the oven, you can roast garlic on the grill! These tender, smoky cloves are delicious incorporated into salad dressings, or simply spread atop slices of grilled bread for a summery starter.
Ingredients:
Whole garlic bulbs
Olive oil
Method:
1. Prepare the garlic by slicing the tops off the garlic bulbs (depending on the size of each bulb it should be around ¼ to a ½ of an inch from the top) to expose the individual cloves. Then drizzle the exposed garlic cloves with a good amount of olive oil.
2. Wrap the bulbs in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place covered bulbs on a hot grill, over indirect heat, for approximately 40 minutes (this will vary based on the exact size of your bulbs). Then open the foil and use your finger to test if they’re done. They should be nice and soft to the touch when roasted through.
3. Remove and allow to cool slightly. Use a small knife or cocktail fork to gently remove the individual roasted garlic cloves from the skins and then prepare according to your chosen recipe.
Sprouting Broccoli with Lemon Vinaigrette
This light and fresh side is accented by tart lemon juice and fresh-cracked pepper.
Ingredients:
1 pound sprouting broccoli
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ teaspoon sea salt
Pinch of fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Wash and trim the broccoli and steam for 5 minutes, until it is crisp yet tender. Drain.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the broccoli and toss to coat.
Variations: This crisp side is also wonderful topped with chopped hazelnuts, or a pinch of crushed red pepper in lieu of black pepper.
Crispy Fried Shallots
These crisp little nibbles are delicious scattered over salad greens or tucked into burgers and sandwiches.
Ingredients:
1 cup vegetable or olive oil
3 large shallots, peeled and sliced lengthwise about â…›-inch thick
Salt
Method:
1. Put oil in a small saucepan. Add shallots and place pot over medium heat. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes (turn down heat if they seem to be coloring too quickly), until they gradually become brown.
2. Place a fine-meshed sieve over a bowl. Transfer shallots to sieve and let drain well. Blot shallots on paper towels. They will become crisp as they cool. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
Mustard-Roasted Cauliflower
Try making this elegant side dish with your favorite wholegrain mustard.
Ingredients:
1 large head cauliflower
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon high-quality wholegrain mustard
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar or champagne vinegar
1 large shallot, minced
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 425°. To prepare the vinaigrette, whisk together the shallots, mustard and white balsamic or champagne vinegar. Let the vinaigrette sit for at least 15 minutes, preferably while the cauliflower is roasting.
2. Cut cauliflower into medium-sized florets. Spread florets out evenly on a large baking sheet. Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast the cauliflower for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring and rotating the pan halfway.
3. Whisk the remaining tablespoon of olive oil into the vinaigrette and toss with the cauliflower as soon as it comes out of the oven. Season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve immediately.
Piracicaba Broccoli with Crispy Lemon Crumbs
This recipe courtesy of Gail Simmons adds crunchy, lemon-tinged bread crumbs for a show-stopping finish.
Ingredients:
1 large bunch Piracicaba broccoli, ends trimmed
2 slices of white bread, torn
1 small shallot, very finely chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 ½ teaspoons crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Sea salt
Lemon wedges (optional)
Prep Ahead:Â The lemon crumbs can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Method:
1. In a food processor, pulse the white bread until large crumbs form. In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the bread crumbs and cook them over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until golden. Remove from the heat. Stir in the crushed red pepper and lemon zest and season with salt. Transfer the crumbs to a plate to cool. Wipe out the skillet.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccolini and cook until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain well, shaking off the excess water; pat dry.
3. In the large skillet, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the shallot and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Add the broccolini, season lightly with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the broccolini is lightly browned in spots, about 4 minutes.
4. Transfer the broccolini to a serving platter and sprinkle the lemony bread crumbs on top. Serve right away with lemon wedges.
Cremini Mushroom Risotto with Grilled Vegetable Medley
A summery spin on a farmhouse favorite—just remember to stir!
Ingredients:
1½ cups Arborio rice
4-5 cups warm chicken stock
½ cup white wine (if desired)
½ finely chopped onions or shallots
1-2 tablespoons chopped garlic (if desired)
1 cup Cremini mushrooms, washed, dried and sautéed until golden brown in butter
8 tablespoons butter or olive oil (can use a mixture)
½ cup grated Grana cheese
2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
Fresh ground pepper to taste
Lemon
Grilled Vegetable Medley (see recipe)
Method:
1. In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil and then turn down to a simmer to keep hot. In another large saucepan over medium low heat, melt 4-5 tablespoons of butter and cook the onions or shallots until soft but not brown.
2. Add garlic and continue cooking for about 2 minutes. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice. Stir for about one minute.
3. Add a ladleful of stock to the rice and continue stirring until almost absorbed. Add another ladleful of stock and the wine and continue stirring—repeat until all the stock is gone and the rice is creamy and tender.
4. Stir in the remaining butter, sautéed mushrooms, and grated Grana cheese until melted. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and season to taste with pepper, and serve each portion topped with a hearty helping of Grilled Vegetable Medley, a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon .
Grilled Garlic Scapes with Lemon & Thyme
Bright yet smoky from their time on the grill, these grilled garlic scapes are a lovely side dish.
Ingredients:
6-8 garlic scapes, trimmed of roots and tough outer ends, and rinsed
1 lemon
2 tablespoons fresh herbs, such as oregano, parsley or thyme
½ teaspoons red pepper flakes
Olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Heat grill to high. Place the scapes on a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil to coat. Squeeze the juice of half the lemon over the top then sprinkle with the pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper. Toss again to spread out the seasonings.
2. Grill the scapes until the root ends are soft and the tops are just brown. Remove from grill and squeeze a little more lemon juice over top and garnish with the fresh herbs.
How-To Cook Emmer Farro
A quick how-to guide to prepping this versatile grain.
Ingredients:
1½ cups emmer farro
4 cups chicken stock
¼ teaspoon salt
Method:
1. Place farro into a fine mesh sieve and rinse with cold water. Drain.
2. Transfer to a medium sized pot that has a lid. Add the stock and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 50-60 minutes, until it is softened but still chewy. (If there is liquid remaining in the pot, drain it off or save it to add to a soup, stew or sauce.)
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.