Grilled Cucumbers And Eggplant Contributed By Kay Chun Recipes

GRILLED EGGPLANT, ZUCCHINI AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat a grill to medium high.
• Grill the bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant and onions until tender, about 5 minutes per side (the eggplant will need a minute more).
• Transfer the grilled vegetables to a platter. Drizzle with the olive oil, sprinkle with the parsley and season with salt and pepper.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH FETA RELISH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk vinaigrette and garlic powder until combined. Stir in feta, cucumber, tomato and onion. Refrigerate, covered, until serving., Brush eggplant with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat 4-5 minutes on each side or until tender. Top eggplant with feta mixture. If desired, sprinkle with basil.

GRILLED CUCUMBERS WITH TOMATO-CARDAMOM DRESSING AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Start with the dressing: Add the tomatoes, oil, garlic, miso, bay leaves, cardamom shells and seeds, paprika and a heaping ¼ teaspoon salt to a large (lidded) sauté pan. Place over medium-high heat, give everything a good stir and leave it, uncovered, until it starts to bubble gently.
• Once bubbling, turn the heat down to medium-low, cover with the lid and cook gently for 15 minutes, stirring once, until the tomatoes have burst and start to release their juices. Turn down the heat if necessary; you want the garlic to soften without taking on color, and you want the tomatoes to not completely disintegrate. Stir in the lime juice and set aside.
• Heat a grill pan over high, and ventilate your kitchen well.
• Halve the cucumbers lengthwise then use a small spoon to scrape out and discard the seeds. Slice each halved cucumber lengthwise into 2 equal pieces, then transfer the cucumber quarters to a bowl and toss with the oil, ½ teaspoon salt and a good grind of pepper. When the grill pan is very hot, grill them in batches, cut sides down, for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip them over and grill for 1 to 2 minutes more. You want nice grill marks and for the cucumbers to soften but still retain a bite. (You don't want any floppy cucumbers.) As they're ready, immediately transfer to the tomato pan, stirring to coat in the dressing.
• Once they're all grilled, stir the cilantro into the pan and transfer the mixture to a large serving platter with a lip. Sprinkle on the torn mozzarella, along with a good pinch of salt, and tuck the cheese under the cucumbers in places. You can serve this dish hot or at room temperature.

GRILLED SALMON WITH CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Place cucumbers in a colander and toss with salt; let stand until several tablespoons of liquid has drained, 30 to 45 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels and transfer to a medium bowl. Add onion, sour cream, vinegar, dill and a few grinds of pepper. Toss to coat. (Can be refrigerated several hours ahead.)
• Meanwhile, heat gas grill, with all burners on high, until fully preheated, 10 to 15 minutes. Use a wire brush to clean grill rack, then brush lightly with oil. Close lid and let return to temperature. Brush salmon with oil and season with salt and pepper; grill until just opaque, about 3 minutes per side.
• Set each warm or room-temperature salmon fillet on a plate; spoon cucumber salad over part of and alongside the fish.

RISSA'S CHILLED GRILLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the miso, soba, brown sugar and pepper flakes. Add the eggplant slices and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
• Oil a cookie sheet with 1 1/2 teaspoons of the oil. Drain eggplant and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Turn the slices and brush lightly with the remaining oil. Broil for 2 minutes on the first side, 1 minute on the second. Serve.

GRILLED CUCUMBERS AND EGGPLANT CONTRIBUTED BY KAY CHUN

Steps:

• Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil with the vinegar, garlic and anchovy; season with salt and pepper. In another large bowl, toss the cucumbers and eggplant with 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette. Oil the grates and grill over moderate heat, turning, until the cucumbers are crisp-tender and the eggplant is tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to the vinaigrette and add the basil; toss to coat. Serve warm, at room temperature or cold, with bread.