Grilled Mixed Vegetables with Creamy Pesto [or frypan]
Comments: It is also possible to use a streaked frypan, preheated over high heat, and to brown mixed vegetables pieces, a few at a time, until the skin is just blackened and the meat tender, for approximately 2 minutes on each side, brushing mixed vegetables pieces with oil if needed.
IngredientsPreparation
  • 1 red onion, peeled
  • 1 bulb fennel, cleaned
  • 4 really small eggplants
  • 4 really small zucchinis
  • 1 sweet orange pepper
  • 1 sweet red pepper
  • 2 really large tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons [30 mL] olive oil, more if needed
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
Creamy Pesto
  • 4 tablespoons [60 mL] fresh basil leaves
  • 1 tablespoon [15 mL] pine nuts
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 pinch coarse sea salt
  • 1/4 cup [60 g] freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup [60 mL] extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2/3 cup [160 mL] strained plain yogurt
  • 1 fresh basil sprig, to garnish
  • For the pesto, transfer basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic clove and sea salt into a small bowl with a pestle.
  • Crush mixture with the pestle until of a paste consistency.
  • Knead in grated Parmesan cheese and then, slowly pour in olive oil stirring until well combined.
  • Spoon strained yogurt into a small serving bowl before mixing in 3 to 4 tablespoons [45 to 60 mL] of creamy pesto.
  • Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate creamy pesto until ready to serve.
  • Keep any leftover pesto into a sealed glass jar, refrigerated.
  • Preheat barbecue to really high intensity.
  • Cut peeled red onion and fennel bulb into wedges.
  • Slice eggplants and zucchinis lengthwise.
  • Half sweet orange and red peppers; seed and remove membranes.
  • Half tomatoes.
  • Brush with olive oil on all sides then salt and pepper all vegetables pieces.
  • Grill eggplant slices, fennel bulb wedges and sweet peppers halves onto hot barbecue rack over really hot coals for 3 minutes.
  • Add zucchini slices, red onion wedges and tomato halves.
  • Grill turning from time to time and brushing vegetables pieces with more olive oil if needed, for 5 minutes more.
  • Transfer vegetables onto a large serving plate.
  • Serve vegetables along with creamy pesto, already garnished with fresh basil sprig.