Summer barbecues don’t always have to be about hot dogs and hamburgers. If you want to add a healthy dish to your cookout, try these grilled vegetables, drizzled with a homemade balsamic vinegar dressing.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 red bell peppers, seeded and halved
- 3 yellow squash (about 1 pound total), sliced lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick rectangles
- 3 zucchini (about 12 oz. total), sliced lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick rectangles
- 3 Japanese eggplant (12 oz. total), sliced lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick rectangles
- 2 cremini mushrooms
- 1 bunch (1-pound) asparagus, trimmed
- 12 green onions, roots cut off
- 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
- 1 tsp. chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
DIRECTIONS
- Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush the vegetables with 1/4 cup of the oil to coat lightly. Sprinkle the vegetables with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the vegetables until tender and lightly charred all over, about 8 to 10 minutes for the bell peppers; 7 minutes for the yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms; 4 minutes for the asparagus and green onions. Arrange the vegetables on a platter. The key to getting those great grill marks is to not shift the vegetables too frequently once they’ve been placed on the hot grill.
- Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, parsley, basil, and rosemary in a small bowl to blend. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the herb mixture over the vegetables. Serve the vegetables, warm or at room temperature.