Blog & Resources
Grilled Vegetable Caprese with Pesto
The original Caprese salad consists of mozzarella, tomato,
and basil, but my take adds grilled vegetables and homemade pesto for a hearty
twist.
(Add grilled chicken – optional)
Serves 6 (serving size: 1/6 of salad and about 3 tablespoons
pesto)
Total: 45 Minutes
Ingredients
PESTO:
(You can use store bought pesto if
desired)
2 large garlic cloves
1/4 cup walnuts, toasted
1 (1-ounce) package fresh basil, stems removed
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons water
SALAD:
1 (1-pound) eggplant, cut diagonally into 1/2-inch
thick slices
1 large red onion, cut into 1/2-inch slices
Cooking spray
1 pound zucchini, diagonally cut into 1/2-inch-thick
slices
1 pound yellow squash, diagonally cut into
1/2-inch-thick slices
2 cups cherry tomatoes
2 (12-inch) metal skewers
5 ounces bocconcini mozzarella cheese, sliced
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Preparation
1. To prepare pesto, drop garlic through food chute with
food processor on; process until minced. Add walnuts and basil; process until
finely ground. Add cheese and next 3 ingredients (through water); process until
smooth. Transfer to a small bowl; cover and chill.
2. To prepare salad, preheat grill to medium-high heat.
3. Place eggplant and onion on grill rack coated with
cooking spray; cover and grill 6 to 8 minutes or until tender. Remove from
grill.
4. Place zucchini and yellow squash on grill rack; cover and
grill 4 to 6 minutes or until tender. Remove from grill.
5. Thread tomatoes evenly onto skewers; coat with cooking
spray. Place skewers on grill rack; cover and grill 5 to 7 minutes or until
tender. Remove tomatoes from skewers.
6. Arrange vegetables, tomatoes, and cheese on a large
platter; drizzle 1/2 cup pesto over salad, and sprinkle with salt. Serve with
remaining pesto.
Nutritional Information
Calories 295 Fat 21.2
g Satfat 6.4 g Monofat 10 g Polyfat 3.7 g Protein 14.6 g Carbohydrate 17 g Fiber 5.3 g Cholesterol 21 mg Iron 1.3 mg Sodium 389 mg Calcium 330 mg