We've been putting our grill to work lately. I love cooking and eating outside. This week we grilled eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes. I really wasn't sure what to do with them when I started, but I ended up creating my new favorite salad.
I marinated the vegetables in a balsamic, garlic, basil concoction. Josh grilled them to perfection and then I added the veggies to a bed of fresh spinach. I also added artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, feta cheese, and fresh basil. For fun, I grilled whole wheat pita bread and served little pita triangles on the side.
While we were eating I kept raving about the salad to Josh. I honestly wasn't looking for a pat on the back, I just couldn't believe it tasted so good:) It really took no time to make and we didn't have to heat up the house! This is a quick, healthy, tasty salad for summer. I can't wait to make it again.
I marinated the vegetables in a balsamic, garlic, basil concoction. Josh grilled them to perfection and then I added the veggies to a bed of fresh spinach. I also added artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, feta cheese, and fresh basil. For fun, I grilled whole wheat pita bread and served little pita triangles on the side.
While we were eating I kept raving about the salad to Josh. I honestly wasn't looking for a pat on the back, I just couldn't believe it tasted so good:) It really took no time to make and we didn't have to heat up the house! This is a quick, healthy, tasty salad for summer. I can't wait to make it again.
Grilled Vegetable Salad
Serves 2-3
(Printable Recipe)
1/3 cup Balsamic vinegar
1 T olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh basil, chopped-to taste
Water-to taste
1 eggplant, sliced into rounds
1 zucchini, sliced into rounds
2 Roma tomatoes, halved
Artichoke hearts
Roasted red peppers
Feta Cheese
Fresh basil, chopped
Balsamic dressing
Whole wheat pita bread-optional
1. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, garlic, basil, and just a splash of water. The balsamic was too strong so I had to dilute it. You can skip the water if you like it really strong:)
2. Sprinkle the eggplant, zucchini, and tomato halves with salt and pepper. Lay them out in a dish. Pour the balsamic mixture over the vegetables. Make sure each side gets coated. Let veggies sit for 10 minutes or so.
2. Heat up the grill. Place eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes on the grill. Cook each side for a couple of minutes, until the veggies are tender with grill marks.
3. Place fresh spinach on a plate. Top with the grilled veggies, artichoke hearts, red peppers, feta cheese, and fresh basil. You can add extra balsamic dressing if you wish.
4. If you want, you can grill whole wheat pita bread and serve it on the side. I cut the bread into little triangles.
Serves 2-3
(Printable Recipe)
1/3 cup Balsamic vinegar
1 T olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh basil, chopped-to taste
Water-to taste
1 eggplant, sliced into rounds
1 zucchini, sliced into rounds
2 Roma tomatoes, halved
Artichoke hearts
Roasted red peppers
Feta Cheese
Fresh basil, chopped
Balsamic dressing
Whole wheat pita bread-optional
1. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, garlic, basil, and just a splash of water. The balsamic was too strong so I had to dilute it. You can skip the water if you like it really strong:)
2. Sprinkle the eggplant, zucchini, and tomato halves with salt and pepper. Lay them out in a dish. Pour the balsamic mixture over the vegetables. Make sure each side gets coated. Let veggies sit for 10 minutes or so.
2. Heat up the grill. Place eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes on the grill. Cook each side for a couple of minutes, until the veggies are tender with grill marks.
3. Place fresh spinach on a plate. Top with the grilled veggies, artichoke hearts, red peppers, feta cheese, and fresh basil. You can add extra balsamic dressing if you wish.
4. If you want, you can grill whole wheat pita bread and serve it on the side. I cut the bread into little triangles.
oh Maria - that looks absolutely delicious! Have you tried grilling potatoes? There's this grilled vegetable salad at this restaurant that I like and their potatoes are incredible! Should one roast their potatoes/steam them prior to grilling?
ReplyDeleteOh yeah roasted vegetable salad is a favorite around here in the summer too.
ReplyDeleteHoly Cow.. this looks like a slice of heaven. I love grilled veggies and this sounds amazing. Lovely presentation.
ReplyDeletemmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm roasted veggies and feta? This looks like a bowl of heaven to me! I hope you're feeling better this week chicky! Happy Fourth (early ;).
ReplyDeleteIt does look great! With the feta and pita you have a little Mediterranean theme going on too. :)
ReplyDeleteA mouthwatering salad! Perfect when it's hot...
ReplyDeletecheers,
Rosa
That does look like the perfect summer salad! I've never grilled vegetables before, but I'm definitely going to have to try it!
ReplyDeleteWe must be on the same wavelength- I made a very similar salad two days ago :) Delicious.
ReplyDeletePearl-I have grilled potatoes. I usually grill them in a foil packet with other veggies, an easy summer meal. I will post that soon:)
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your comments. I really enjoyed this one!
methinks the grill is the vegetable's best friend--it just adds something wonderful. great salad, and although i don't like feta, it makes the whole thing quite picturesque. :)
ReplyDeleteI love grilled veggies! SO tasty and healthy!
ReplyDeleteOh, I just knew this was a winner when I saw those lovely grill marks-- and I thought, there HAS to be balsamic vinegar, it just pairs so well with grilled eggplant and toms :) Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt does look good. Grilled veggies are the best! You deserve a pat on the back for this one. :)
ReplyDeleteLol, I totally do this too, if I like something I will seriously rave at J about it, and if I dislike it I will whine. Either way he is usually less enthusiastic.
ReplyDeleteI freaking love grilled salads, Considering I don't love salads that much grilled is so the way to go. Eggplants, Zucchini, Portobellos and Peppers are my faves.
This looks delicious, Maria! I will definitely make this sometime this weekend. I always love how just a little bit of feta adds so much flavor. Can't wait to try this!
ReplyDeleteThis looks gorgeous. I could eat a salad like this everyday!
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect for hot weather. It really looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous!! We already have zucchini coming out of our ears, so I'm going to need to try this!
ReplyDeleteYUM! I love summer cooking on the grill. Grilled veggies are the best!
ReplyDeleteYour grilled veggie salad loks absolutely delicious maria!! I'm in drooling mode here your presentation is just perfect!
ReplyDeleteGrilled veggies are one of my faves and I love what you've got on your plate!
ReplyDeleteHow fun! It looks good.
ReplyDeleteKudos! My kind of salad and the guy does some of the work. Bonus!
ReplyDeleteWow, you guys eat so healthy!
ReplyDeleteI love eating outside too, although I don't do it often enough.
And now THAT is what I want for dinner! I love everything about it. I even have some eggplant I bought at the farmer's market last week. YUM!
ReplyDeleteOh, grilled eggplant is one of my favorite summertime foods. I'd love this salad for tonight's dinner.
ReplyDeleteMMMMMMM sounds like a perfect dinner if you ask me :)
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful and nutritious!
ReplyDeleteGreat combination. Can't wait to try it out on my family, you're amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat's my kind of salad - it looks incredible! Love the feta on top too.
ReplyDeleteThis would be perfect for tonight. It's so hot today!
ReplyDeleteOk, you must have been reading my mind when you posted this. I have been craving a grilled salad from my favorite NYC restaurant and this looks very similar to theirs! YUMMY. I may have to make this for 4th of July!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great use of veggies and your grill! It looks fantaatic! Sorry for my absence, I had a rough work week last week. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteYour grilled veggies look delicious... What a great salad!
ReplyDeleteWe've been using our grill a lot so far this summer. I even fire up the burner next to the grill to fry fish and stuff - don't have to heat up the kitchen!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great summery salad! Looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteVeggies on the grill? Can't get much better than that, right? I just love the way they turn out. Your salad looks spectacular.
ReplyDeleteMan, when I read posts like this, I get so sad that I DON'T have a grill! What if I just roast them in the oven?
ReplyDeleteLOVE grilled veggies!!! fabulous salad :)
ReplyDeleteGrilled veggies are a great treat. I would love to give them a try in this salad. Delicious idea!
ReplyDeleteI love this salad because it isn't your traditional leafy greens. It looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThis is right up my alley Maria! So delicious!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so delicious and healthy. I haven't grilled veggies a whole lot, but I bet it's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteMaria, this looks amazing! I am going to visit friends this week and I might make this for them. They have a beautiful grill and they love to eat healthy!
ReplyDeleteMaria, this looks amazing! I am going to visit friends this week and I might make this for them. They have a beautiful grill and they love to eat healthy!
ReplyDeleteI love grilled salad. This looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing the recipe!!
ReplyDeletethis looks so freaking delicious! I am making it for dinner tonight!
ReplyDeleteI love grilled vegetables. Adding the feta has to make it perfect. Hmmm, I just bought feta cheese.
ReplyDeleteMaria, I live on grilled veggies in the summer. Last night I did some again with some fennel in the mix.
ReplyDeleteI love grilling vegetables - these look so beautiful and delicious!
ReplyDeleteYum! That looks so summery!
ReplyDelete