caprese eggplant Archives - Proud Italian Cook

Memorial Day is right around the corner, here’s a few tasty ideas you might want to try.
First up, Chicken Flavored with a Mustard and Herb Paste.

Place 1 1/2 cups of loosely packed herbs of your choice into a food processor, I used parsley, basil, rosemary and thyme. Add 3 cloves of garlic, the zest of a lemon, salt and pepper then process to a fine chop. Add the juice of one lemon, a healthy glop of dijon mustard then drizzle in some olive oil until you get a thick paste consistency.

Now rub it all over your chicken, under and over the skin and let it sit for a few, then it’s time for the grill!

The end result is chicken flavored to the max!

When the chicken is done and resting you can make these Garlic Grilled Tomatoes, a recipe adapted from Steven Raichlen the BBQ king.
Cut your tomatoes in half crosswise, season with salt and pepper.
In a small frying pan add crushed garlic, olive oil and fresh thyme, cook til golden, take off the heat and add in grated parmesan cheese. Place your tomato halves cut side down on and oiled grill until you get grill marks, then turn them over with tongs and spoon the garlic cheese mixture on top and continue cooking.

This is a wonderful side for anything you might be putting on your grill.

You might also want to plan ahead and grill up some eggplant.

Then pair it with a caprese salad for another side or appetizer. Oh, this is so good!

Then finally, you have to have dessert! My go to, no brainer, quick dessert is a scoop of
vanilla ice cream drenched with Amaretto and topped with chopped almonds, so simple and a hit every time!