Summer is around the corner and our bar-b-que is cleaned and ready to roll. I love summer grilling. Not just the food and the luscious flavors that come off the grill, but the whole idea of being outside. The bikes get used more, the art supplies emerge from the garage, and the use of “screens” becomes almost non-existent(the key word here is, “almost”).
When I read my friend Marla’s post about an event that she and our friend, Dara, were planning, that centered around grilling, I knew I had to participate. Each week, there is a different theme from appetizers to kebabs, vegetarian to desserts and since I am already outside firing up the grill, why not bar-b-que with a community?
Last weekend I had returned from the farmers market with enough produce to feed my entire neighborhood. As the red, green, purple, yellow, and orange vegetables stared me in the face, I instantly knew what I wanted to do. I grabbed the eggplant, zucchini, purple onion, orange pepper, and a few tomatoes, sliced them and rubbed them with a bit of olive oil and red wine vinegar. Tossed them in a bowl with Celtic sea salt and some fresh ground pepper.
The grilled ratatouille was eaten, outside, as the rest of the meal was cooking on the grill. The kids took a few bites, shot a few baskets, then came back for more. I believe summer has arrived!
If you want to participate in Get Grillin 2011, check out both Marla’s and Dara’s for all the rules and guidelines.
I know we would love to see what you all are grilling up!
Grilled Vegetable Ratatouille
Ingredients
1 small eggplant, sliced
1 zucchini, sliced
1 red or orange bell pepper, cut in half
1 red onion, sliced
1 large tomato, sliced thick
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
Celtic sea salt
fresh ground pepper
1/2 cup kalamata olives
1 Tbsp. capers
a handful of basil leaves(about 1/4 cup)
juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
• spray your grill grates with cooking spray. preheat grill.
• toss the eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, and red onion with a bit of olive oil and red wine vinegar. sprinkle with celtic sea salt and fresh ground pepper.
• place veggies on hot grill. while veggies are cooking, toss tomato in the same olive oil/vinegar mixture. set aside.
• veggies will cook from 4-8 minutes, depending upon the vegetable. just keep an eye on it.
• remove cooked vegetables from the grill and let them cool slightly.
• place tomatoes on the grill for about 1 minute per side. not too long as you don’t want them to fall apart, you just want them slightly seared. remove and place them on the plate with the vegetables.
• in the bowl of a Cuisinart , fitted with the metal blade rough chop all the vegetables. you want it somewhat chunky.
• add the kalamata olives and the capers. pulse 4-5 times.
• remove mixture and place in a large serving bowl. add the juice of one lemon and the chopped basil. stir to combine. taste for seasonings.
• keep refridgerated. makes a great spread on sandwiches and we like it on our eggs!
The Urban Baker / SusanSalzman.com
More Grilled Vegetable Inspiration:
Grilled Corn Salsa – Sunny Vegan
Grilled Whole Vidalia Onions – Elise’s Kitchen
Grilled Broccoli – Five and Spice
Grilled Guacamole – Crumb
-
[…] Grilled Ratatouille from The Urban Baker […]
[…] in the Kitchen (photo above) Grilled Vegetables with Flatbread – Good Life Eats (photo above) Grilled Ratatouille – The Urban Baker Stir Fried Potato Side – Jessica’s Dinner Party Pickled Veggies […]
[…] and then mixed with pasta and lemon, gratin (way too many calories), and grilled then made into ratatouille. Inspiration for this delicious side dish was found on Jenni’s facebook wall and I […]
Leave a Comment
I just love the idea of grilled ratatouille. It must add extra dimension of flavor and smokiness as opposed to just stewing it.
Love this recipe! I am all about summer grilling!
looks delicious!! can’t wait to try it!
BTW Susan, have you cooked out of Pure Dessert by Alice Medrich? If it is possible to be in love with a cookbook, then I am in love with that one:)!!!
Susan, LOVE what you did with these veggies! Grilled Ratatouille is such a great idea. Those Kalamata olives add such a great kick of flavor. We are go grateful for your enthusiasm & participation in our event. Thanks for being such a great friend 🙂
I might not share if I were near this Grilled Ratatouille. It sounds scrumptious!
Ratatouille is one of my favorite summer meal. When I prepare some, I’m just eating this and I love it! I should try your recipe when all the veggie will be ready (I’m not in California…)!
I made this yesterday and oh my word is it ever all kinds of fantastic! Never have eggplant, tomato, onion, bell pepper, and zucchini been so delicious together! I kept eating it right out of the food processor bowl with a spoon. My husband, who doesn’t even like traditional ratatouille much loved it. Too bad for me! We both loved the smokey flavor imparted, yet it still tastes vibrant and fresh. I was concerned about what to serve it on, but really it can totally be a stand alone side. No vessel needed! Just a spoon. :). Thanks for sharing and inspiring!
Julie – I am so glad you like it. What’s so great about it, is it is really an all year long kind of food. In the winter you can use your gril pan, serve it with some fish! Yay, I love when a recipe is a success in someone
elses kitchen! x