Looking for a tasty side dish to go with your end-of-summer barbecue? This vegan salad is simple to make and can be prepared hours in advance. Whether you grill it for vegetarians or omnivores, it’s versatile enough to complement any entrée. Besides dinner, I also like to serve this salad with fresh French bread for a filling lunch.
Grilled Summer Vegetable Salad
Yield: Makes 3 to 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
½ cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1½ teaspoons Ancho chile powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 red bell peppers (seeded and cut into quarters)
1 medium eggplant (cut into ½-inch rounds)
4 medium zucchini (halved lengthwise)
Ground black pepper to taste
2 cups baby arugula
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
Lemon wedges
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the grill on medium-high heat (about 450 degrees).
2. Mix ½ cup of olive oil, lemon juice, coriander, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl. Set this dressing aside.
3. Place bell peppers, eggplant, and zucchini in a large resealable bag with the remaining three tablespoons of olive oil. Add ground pepper to taste. Seal the bag and shake vigorously until the vegetables are well coated with oil.
4. Grill the veggies for four minutes on one side, making sure they’re evenly cooked. Then, flip them over and grill for another four minutes on the other side. This will give them a nice char and ensure they’re cooked all the way through. Once ready, take them off the grill.
5. For a beautiful presentation, arrange the arugula on a large platter. Cut the eggplant into halves and place the rounds in concentric circles around the outside edge of the lettuce, leaving the center empty. Then, cut the bell pepper and zucchini into 1-inch pieces and mound them in the center. Drizzle with half of the dressing and garnish with cilantro. Serve with lemon wedges and extra dressing on the side for those who want a little more flavor.