stepping out

Deborah
When lilac blossoms appear on the trees (and show up as bouquets in the bodegas around NY) it is time to begin thinking about grilling. There are many ways to approach grilled vegetables, but as you may know, I like to keep things simple. Easy. Not too complicated. Grilling should be fun and a little primitive. You can't help but get a little messy and I always manage to lose a few pieces into the fire, no matter how careful I am.
Amanda and I would like to share some of our favorite grilled vegetable recipes over the next few weeks. As always, technique is key. Once you have that down inspiration can take over. Prepping the vegetables is really where the work is involved here. I like to slice raw vegetables, like carrots and zucchini, thin- about 3/4", so that they cook through quickly and evenly. Par-cooked vegetables can be cut thicker. Leafy heads of lettuce like escarole and radicchio can just be sliced in half, with the core intact to keep the leaves together.
I don't really marinate vegetables, just brush with olive oil and dust with herbs and spices, but I am not opposed to it. Just remember to dry off anything that is wet before you put it on the grill for best results.

A pan of vegetables all ready for the grill. I use the lemon half to scrub the hot grill clean and discard.

For this meal I pulled out what I had in the fridge, always a hodge-podge. I find potatoes cook best when par-boiled or microwaved till almost tender. The grill will give them a nice golden finish. Most vegetables are grilled raw. Asparagus can be thrown on whole and the cauliflower (which turned out to be DELICIOUS grilled) gets sliced into more or less even thickness without driving myself crazy measuring.

To determine doneness I aim for tenderness and a touch of color. For a long time I only grilled the traditional vegetables like carrots, zucchini, onions and peppers, but I am starting to expand my opinion on what works on the grill and will report here some of my new finds. The cauliflower was a revelation, for example, and I can't believe it took me this long to figure it out. 

A PARTIAL LIST of Vegetables to Grill 

Raw: carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, onions, cauliflower, mushrooms, scallions, radicchio, escarole, peppers, asparagus

Par-boiled or micro: potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, Brussels sprouts, leeks

Jury is still out on: broccoli, green beans

Have fun grilling and let us know what you think works.

Amanda
I am in love with my new grill. It's true. I clean it after every use, so it's shiny "newness" stays just that way. It's my new "baby". Right now I'm all about grilling vegetables. I grill anything "grillable". One comment on Deb's mention of green beans - delicious grilled, raw. A week or so ago, I followed a recipe in Andrea Chesman's wonderful new book, The New Vegetarian Grill: 250 Flame-Kissed Recipes for Fresh, Inspired Meals for grilled green beans. Basically, I tossed them in an Asian vinaigrette, and threw them on a vegetable grilling tray. I grilled them until a little brown. Then, I actually tossed them with some arugula and grilled shitakes, and drizzled a little of the vinaigrette on the finished product. I have to say, it was outstanding. Even my non-vegetable-eating husband thought they were delicious! They actually tasted like something from a Chinese restaurant!


I can't wait to elaborate more on some of the grilled recipes I've tried in future posts! But right now, I want to comment on wine. Unless there is a specific sauce or marinade you are using for your grilled veggies, you don't really need to think too much about what wine to drink. If there is a sauce or marinade, then what you choose will definitely require more thought.


During the summer, I  barbeque A LOT. I have my regular "go to" wines that I enjoy during barbeque season. For reds, Zinfandel never fails for grilled delights. Also - I never select expensive wines. Grilling demands inexpensive, "fun" wines - not overly complex or serious. For wonderful Zinfandel producers, check out Rosenblum or Seghesio. Ravenswood also carries a line of very inexpensive Zins. I also will look to Australia for some affordable Shiraz, or Grenache. D'Arenberg creates some delicious "everyday" wines that are a sure-fire hit every time.


For whites, I like to sip "summery" wines. Albarino, Sauvignon Blanc, and Torrontes are some of my favorites. These make perfect choices for simple grilled veggie dishes. You can't go wrong with any of these! And, having plenty of Rose on hand is not a bad option either. Spanish Roses are entirely affordable, fruit-filled wines. These can even be found for $7-$10. There are so many terrific producers, be sure to ask your local retailer for advice.


Remember, keep it simple. Fun wines will work best with barbeque. Save the serious stuff for more serious dinners and special occasions!

back to reality

Deborah
One of the bonus effects of going away is coming home again with eyes wide open. My week at the beach in beautiful Antigua cleansed my brain and soul. The minute I walked back into my home I saw dust, disorganization and STUFF. At least that is how it struck me. My life here is complicated and weighted down with so many things. Travel lightens your load and allows you to exist for a brief time anyway, with the bare essentials.
The island of Antigua charmed us again with it's simplicity and pride of place.  The first thing that hits you is color- my winter starved eyes drank it all in- the houses, the flowers, the sea.

Some of the beautifully colored buildings of Antigua.

The resort we favor, Hawksbill is streatched out over nearly a mile of pristine and remote beachfront property that has old-school charm and a down-at-the-heels rustic appeal that is impossible to create- it's authentic and weather beaten and suits us to a T.

Our little beachfront cottage home away from home.

While we were there we became aware of a couple of guests with a handful of small children awaiting the momentous return of their husbands who had spent 76 days at sea rowing across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Antigua harbor, raising money for charity!  The two British rowers arrived not with bulging arm muscles as we expected, but rail thin and weather beaten as mountain climbers spending a month on K2. The reunion unfolded over the course of the week as the rowers with their children in tow slowly lost their dazed expressions and regained their land legs like returning astronauts.
We were vicariously exhuasted and exhilerated by a job well done without having to leave our lounge chairs!

And then the cooking class. I dragged myself from a reclining position to head up the hills to Nicole's Table where chef and culinary educator Nicole Arthurton conducts classes from her beautiful home featuring a huge veranda with sweeping views of the island. Nicole's style is breezy and casual.

Everyone gets busy prepping the meal.

Nicole puts the finishing touches on our feast.

The menu was classic Caribbean including West Indian pumpkin soup, roasted vegetables with plantains and some of the freshest snapper I have ever encountered that we stuffed and baked.

The big tip of the day from Nicole was to add a scotch bonnet pepper (one of the hottest peppers around) to the soup pot for flavor without the heat. The pepper is fished out at the end of the cooking and can be served on the side for those who like things fiery. Genius! I asked Nicole if any other chili pepper could be substituted and got a resounding NO! the flavor can't be replicated. Well ok, I'm convinced.
We ended the meal with a beautifully moist and dense Key Lime Rum cake made from tiny, juicy local limes. There was enough for me to bring back a slice to my husband who was still glued to his beach chair as if he had just rowed across the Atlantic (sorry hon, I know you work really hard, kiss).

Here is Nicole's recipe for West Indian Pumpkin Soup. Don't forget the scotch bonnet peppers, but if you can't find them, try the soup anyway, it is a winner. Amanda, we had some very nice, light and fruity Argentine wine with the meal, a Trivento Tribu Sauvignon Blanc 2009. But maybe you have something else in mind?

West Indian Pumpkin Soup
-from Nicole's Table

3 Tbs. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 ribs of celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs. fresh thyme
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 lb. pumpkin, peeled and chopped
6 cups vegetable or chicken stock or water
1 whole scotch bonnet pepper

s & p to taste
a dash of ground nutmeg for garnish
1/4 cup heavy cream, optional

In a large sauce pan heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onions and celery and cook till translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook another two minutes. Add the carrots, sweet potato and pumpkin and some salt and saute the vegetables for about 10 minutes till they start to soften. Add the stock or water and the scotch bonnet pepper (be careful to leave it whole). Bring the soup to a boil and then lower heat and cover to simmer for 15-20 minutes. The vegetables should be fork tender. Remove the scotch bonnet pepper and puree the soup with and immersion blender or in batches in a food prossesor. Adjust the seasoning of the blended soup and add the nutmeg and cream if you are using it.
Heat through to barely a simmer before serving.

Amanda
It sounds like you had a wonderful time, Deb! The pictures are beautiful and really tell the story of beautiful scenery and culture - and a great vacation! And the class in which you participated seems like it was educational and fun at the same time. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us!


Deb, are scotch bonnet peppers difficult to come by? Where would you suggest looking - farmers' markets? Whole Foods? Fairway? Seems like the soup would be delicious without them too, as you mentioned. But, at the same time, I would think they would lend something unique and distinct to the soup. I would definitely want to try to track them down!


The recipe seems nice and straightforward. The Trivento wine you described is a great choice for this soup. I would choose something from Argentina as well. I've written before about wines from Argentine producer Susana Balbo. I am a huge fan of hers, and often suggest wines from her terrific line-up. She produces wines under the "Balbo" label which tend to be fairly pricey (albeit delicious!). Her "Crios" line (which means 'offspring') are less expensive and incredibly wonderful. The Crios label consists of a Malbec, Rose of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Torrontes. All are outstanding, and affordable at approximately $11.99 per bottle. The wines achieve high ratings from wine critics year after year.

I would pair either the Torrontes or Rose of Malbec with the West Indian Pumpkin Soup. Torrontes has beautiful aromatics, combined with the exquisite peach flavors of a Viognier, and the crisp acidity of a Sauvignon Blanc. There is plenty of fruit, so if you do find that scotch bonnet pepper, and would like to enjoy it with the soup after it is removed, the heat will be quelled by the wine.


The Rose of Malbec would also be a wonderful complement to the soup. The strawberry and spice flavors of the wine would make a scrumptious match to this West Indian treat!