Grilled Vegetable Stacks With Lemon, Parmesan Ricotta Cream

stacked zucchini

These vegetable stacks are fun to make, very easy to put together and they make a beautiful and unique presentation. I’m a big fan of grilled vegetables, and as soon as the weather gets nice I’m often out there grilling whatever veggies I have on hand.

Basically you stack up some of your favorite grilled vegetables layered with a very flavorful ricotta mixture in between.

grilled veggies

I chose to make mine with some grilled zucchini and grilled eggplant, but think about it, you can stack nicely sliced bell peppers, onion slices, potato slices and portobella mushrooms to name a few, all layered with that dreamy ricotta mixture.

grilled eggplant

You’ll want to get some good grill marks for a nice presentation when the vegetables are stacked.

herby ricotta mix

The “glue” and the flavor buster in between the layers is this mix of ricotta, grated Parmigiano or grated Romano cheese, granulated garlic, parsley, basil, lemon zest and a touch of lemon juice, salt and pepper. There is no recipe, put everything in a bowl mix it up measure with your heart and taste it to your liking. I would suggest getting a more store-bought whole milk ricotta instead of the kind in water behind the deli.

If you get the deli kind you need to strain it of it’s liquid before mixing in everything else. The lemony and herby ricotta mix really elevates the whole dish.

 

stacked grilled veg

It’s a different way of enjoying your grilled veggies. You can eat it for lunch, brunch, a light dinner. We even stuffed some in a pita for a light dinner one day, it’s all good!

stacked eggplant

To finish it off make a light vinaigrette of lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Whisk it up really good until it thickens ,then spoon some all around your stacks and on to your serving platter to enhance it even more.

Happy grilling!

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Grilled Corn and Zucchini Summer Risotto

grilled corn and zucchini risotto This recipe is summer on a plate, it combines the classic creamy risotto with all the summertime flavors of garden fresh grilled corn and zucchini stirred right into it, and of course some fresh basil to enhance it all.

grilled corn and zucchiniIt’s really very simple to make especially when grilling veggies is at it’s peak this time of year, just set aside a couple of lightly grilled ears of corn as well as zucchini next time your doing some grilling. You’ll then be slicing the corn right off the cobs leaving some of those nice little planks as well as kernels, I just love those corn planks!
making risotto Have all your other ingredients prepped and ready to go, it’s time to start stirring!

grilled corn and zucchini risotto This is what I call the perfect one pot meal, classically creamy with the summertime freshness of the grilled corn and zucchini, and lets not forget the fresh basil!

grilled corn and zucchini risotto Are you ready to dig in?

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Grilled Corn and Zucchini Summer Risotto
 
Author:
Ingredients
  • 3 ears of corn, grilled and then shucked leaving planks as well as kernels
  • 3 small zucchini, cut in half, grilled then diced
  • fresh basil
  • 1¼ cup arborio rice
  • 1 quart of a good quality boxed broth, low sodium, chicken or vegetable
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • ¾ cup of shredded parmesan
  • ¾ cup, white wine
  • 2 knobs of unsalted butter
  • olive oil
Instructions
  1. Simmer your broth on the stove in a separate pan.
  2. Take an additional pan with a heavy bottom,drizzle the bottom with olive oil then add in 1 knob of butter, cook until melted.
  3. Add in the onion and saute on medium until soft.
  4. Add in the rice, stirring until well coated, cooking for a minute or two.
  5. De-glaze with the wine, stirring until it has cooked in and evaporated.
  6. Start adding in the warmed broth, one cup at a time, continue to stir until absorbed.
  7. Repeat adding the broth and stirring until it gets absorbed all the time on medium heat.
  8. Rice should start to look creamy and when you taste it there should be a slightly al dente feel, you may have a little broth leftover.
  9. When finished add the other knob of butter, stir and combine.
  10. Add the cheese, stir and combine.
  11. Fold in your corn and zucchini, adding as much as you want leaving the planks to decorate the top, again you might have some of the veggies leftover, but that's a good thing!
  12. Take a handful of basil and cut it chiffonade style, then sprinkle it all over.
  13. Enjoy!

 

 

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