Grilled Tuscan Appetizer Spread Recipes

TUSCAN CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, garlic and salt; stir and blend in artichoke hearts and olives.
• Add green onions, tomatoes, parsley and chives; gently mix together.
• Refrigerate for several hours or overnight to blend flavors; serve.

GRILLED TUSCAN APPETIZER SPREAD

Steps:

• Immerse plank in water, placing weight on top of plank to keep it submerged. Soak 4 hours.
• Beat cream cheese products with mixer until blended. Stir in 2 Tbsp. tomatoes. Shape into ball; roll in remaining tomatoes, then parsley until evenly coated.
• Refrigerate 1 hour.
• Heat grill for indirect grilling: Light one side of grill, leaving other side unlit. Close lid; heat grill to 350ºF. Place cedar plank on grill grate over unlit area; top with cheese ball. Cover. Grill 15 to 20 min. or until cheese ball starts to soften, monitoring for consistent grill temperature.

GRILLED TUSCAN PORTERHOUSE WITH WHITE BEAN-GRILLED SHIITAKE MUSHROOM SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a medium baking dish. Add the steak and toss to coat. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours or up to 2 days. Bring steak to room temperature before grilling.
• Preheat grill. Remove steak from marinade and wipe off any excess and season with salt to taste. Sear the steak for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Close the grill and continue cooking for 10 to 15 minutes for medium rare. Let rest for 10 minutes. Cut into 1/2-inch thick slices.
• Preheat grill. Brush mushrooms with some of the oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, remove and slice into 1/4-inch slices. Place the warm beans in a large bowl, add mushrooms, herbs and tomatoes.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil and garlic and pour over the beans. Add the cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.

GRILLED TUSCAN TUNA SALAD

Steps:

• For the tuna: Remove the tuna from the refrigerator 20 minutes before grilling. Heat a charcoal or gas grill to high for direct grilling. Mix together the fennel, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
• Brush the tuna with canola oil on both sides and sprinkle with the spice mixture. Grill until charred on both sides and cooked to medium doneness, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut into medium dice.
• For the salad dressing: Whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, rosemary, anchovies and garlic in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking, until it all emulsifies. For a sweeter and thicker texture, whisk in a teaspoon of honey at a time, until desired taste and consistency is reached.
• For the salad: Combine the beans, olives, fennel, onion and tuna in a large bowl. Add the dressing and gently toss to coat. Add the greens, basil and parsley , season with salt and pepper, and toss again.
• For serving: Mound the salad on a platter and sprinkle the remaining lemon juice over the top.

GRILLED TUSCAN-STYLE PORTERHOUSE STEAKS

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Season steaks with salt and pepper.
• Cook steaks on the preheated grill until they are beginning to firm and are hot and slightly pink in the center, about 12 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for medium.
• While the steaks are cooking, place garlic in a microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle some salt over top and pour in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Mash garlic with the back of a sturdy knife into a fine paste. Stir in remaining oil and red pepper flakes. Heat in the microwave until hot, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, mixing every 30 seconds.
• Remove steaks from the oven and let sit covered for 4 to 5 minutes. Drizzle 2 tablespoons oil mixture over each steak and squeeze lemon wedges over top.

TUSCAN GRILLED BREAD AND WHITE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Arrange bread and vegetables on baking sheet. Brush bread and vegetables lightly with 3 tablespoons vinaigrette.
• Grill pepper and onion 6 minutes, turning occasionally. Place bread and tomato slices on barbecue. Continue to grill until pepper and onion are slightly charred, bread is toasted and tomatoes are heated-through, turning occasionally, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer vegetables and bread to work surface; cut into bite-size pieces.
• Place cannellini, sliced basil and remaining 3 tablespoons vinaigrette in large bowl; toss to coat. Mix in grilled vegetable and bread. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper; garnish with basil sprigs, if desired.

TUSCAN GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Brush 1 side of each bread slice lightly with oil, using about 1 tablespoon total. On 2 slices, arrange half of cheese, then tomato, basil, and remaining cheese. Top with remaining bread slices, oil side down. Brush tops of sandwiches with about 1 tablespoon of remaining oil.
• Heat medium skillet or range-top grill pan over medium heat. Place sandwiches, oil side down, in skillet. Brush tops with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Cook until sandwiches are golden brown on both sides and cheese is melted, turning once, about 5 minutes per side.
• Toss arugula with vinaigrette and divide between 2 plates. Cut sandwiches in half or quarters and arrange around arugula. Serve.