Monday, January 12, 2009

Veggie "Wraps" Caprese Style!

Even though it's the dead of winter here in Chicagoland, and the weather forecast says blizzard conditions here tomorrow with frigid temperatures, I still crave grilled veggies!

Thank goodness for an indoor grill pan! There's no way you'd catch me out there grilling anything!

Grilling eggplant and zucchini indoors is so quick and easy. Get your grill pan nice and hot, brush your veggies with olive oil, cook till tender, and then while they're still warm, layer with fresh basil, a ripe tomato slice, and a small bite size ball of fresh Bocconcini. Drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with pine nuts. Serve warm, or at room temperature.

Add a salad, and have a great lunch, or a light dinner!

Nothing extraordinary, just simple, good food!
Buon Appetito!!!

39 comments:

Elra said...

OMG, they look gorgeous, almost too gorgeous too eat. My mouth water!
Cheers,
Elra

Navita said...

gosh i am so making this tonite ....love the greens.

Theresa said...

I'm drooling here at 6:55 in the morning.

joanne at frutto della passione said...

I love grilled veggies, one of my favourite ways to eat them! These look amazing.

Maryann said...

I heard about your weather! It's freezing! Keep warm, marie!..(and it's coming this way!)

Chef Chuck said...

That,s what I like simple yet good!
I love grilled veggies. Stay warm!!
Thanks Chuck

Bellini Valli said...

Simple and true flavours are quite often the best. Some grilling is required!!!!

Mike of Mike's Table said...

That looks very summery and sounds great. Stay warm!...or come down to FL ;-)

Mike of Mike's Table said...

That looks very summery and sounds delicious! Stay warm...or come to FL! ;-)

Laurie said...

This looks awesome! So pretty and I love the flavors. Best of all I have some zucchini and eggplant in the fridge.

I don't have an indoor grill, but there's only about an inch of snow on my deck so I oculd probably convince the hubby to go out there.

Mila said...

That just looks so perfect! I would love to eat it on a hot summer day!

Stacey Snacks said...

Beautiful grilled vegetables, right up my alley.
I used my grill pan for paninis today!

Nina Timm said...

...and there you had a little bit of summer right in the middle of winter. The color of those photos jumps out at me and I bet it tasted as good as it looks.

Dawn said...

I'm with you, I crave veggies in the dead of winter. I always feel like a new person after eating them too during this time of year.

Cathy said...

I love this, Marie! I cook for one most of the time and this is perfect. And healthy too.

Beautiful photos.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Your beautiful photos are mouth-watering. I have a grill pan but not the right ingredients. Will have to get to the store asap.

Cathy said...

Good, simple food is the best! I don't know what I'd do without my indoor grill pan -- it is actually my preferred place to grill veggies, even in nice weather. I LOVE your ideas for using these, Marie! Sounds like we can grill up a little taste of summer right now!

Laurie said...

That's my kind of breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner Marie! :) I love pine nuts.. they add so much flavor in cooking, it's wonderful to see them used often!
Hope your doing well.. Keep warm with lots of hugs..
Cioa!

Barbara said...

I'm ready for one of those little bites, Marie, and a BIG portion of that beautiful salad!

The Food Hunter said...

Yum! They look so good. I'm drooling...really. Try and keep warm.

RecipeGirl said...

I disagree... I declare them extraordinary! So pretty and healthy too. Love that.

Ben said...

My MIL just gave me an indoor grill too and I am loving it. I am not a huge fan of grilling but this thing keeps me occupied for long hours grilling veggies. Veggie wraps are always a great idea :)

casalba said...

"Nothing extraordinary" my foot!

(If it's any consolation, it's freeeeezing here too. I'm writing this in my hat and coat - that's how extraordinary I think this looks. I should be in bed with three hot water bottles.)

Rita Kent at TesoroFino.Com said...

Oh my!! I love the eggplant one!! Thanks for a great, simple and easy recipe! The combination is mouth-watering!

Bunny said...

Things don't have to be complicated to be good, this is a good example, Wonderful!!!

Knitting Mania said...

Mmmmmm this looks so good and healthy Marie. Love those veggies any which way...

BTW...your gift is on it's way, I mailed it this morning.

:)

Mama said...

Looks delicious Marie, stay warm, hugs, Kathy.

Sue said...

Oh My!!!! I just discovered your blog. I am also a proud Italian cook.....your food looks fabulous. I was on Pat from New York's blog and saw someone mentioned you, I'm so glad she did....

Lauren (Lo) said...

I used to live in Chicago and I can not imagine the chill there now!! Your food looks amazing!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Excellent idea Marie! Good diet food too -- and I really need that right now :-)

Michelle said...

Hi Marie-
I am like you and craving vegetables during this deep freeze that we're in. Believe it or not, I've never grilled eggplant before. I am putting it on my grocery list now.

Psychgrad said...

Looks delicious. I just posted abouy my love for everything Caprese. This is perfect timing!

Rowena said...

Yippee!! Although I know you've been doing us right by offering such wonderful vegetable dishes, this is just reminding me of spring. I had just come from a site about italian folklore for the month of January and there was a saying that translates into this:

If they are cold (the days), Spring will be beautiful. If they are warm, Spring will arrive late.

Here's looking forward to a beautiful (and timely) primavera so we can all fire up the grill outdoors!

Scintilla said...

Mmm, you bring me back to summer in Positano - sitting in the beach bar with those lightly grilled vegetables for lunch. I crave too!

Maria said...

I love the photos! Such vibrant colors. I can't wait to make this! Thanks!

The Short (dis)Order Cook said...

Another clever use of vegetable alternatives. Very pretty and tasty looking.

I love my grill pan. I have to use it all year round since I don't have a grill (or a yard to put one in).

glamah16 said...

I woould crave that no matter what the season. Excellent.

we are never full said...

well isn't this like spring on a plate? god this winter couldn't end soon enough.

Jeanne said...

I am SO going to make these as a starter this summer!!