Imagine a dish that captures the sun-drenched flavors of the Mediterranean, where vibrant vegetables meet creamy goat cheese and crunchy pine nuts in a symphony of taste and texture. This Grilled Vegetables with Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts recipe is not just a side dish—it's a culinary journey that will elevate your cooking skills and impress even the most discerning food lovers. Whether you're a seasoned home chef or a weekend grilling enthusiast, this recipe promises to turn ordinary vegetables into an extraordinary dining experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
Instructions
- Prepare your grill or grill pan by preheating to medium-high heat (around 400-450°F). Clean and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Wash and slice the zucchini, bell pepper, and red onion into uniform pieces approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. This ensures even cooking and attractive presentation.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced vegetables with olive oil, ensuring each piece is lightly and evenly coated. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Arrange the vegetables on the preheated grill, placing them in a single layer to ensure direct heat contact. Grill for 4-5 minutes on the first side, allowing beautiful char marks to develop.
- Carefully flip the vegetables using tongs, grilling the second side for an additional 3-4 minutes until they are tender and have distinct grill marks. The vegetables should be slightly softened but still retain some crispness.
- While vegetables are grilling, lightly toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Toast until they are golden brown and fragrant, which takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the grilled vegetables to a serving platter. Immediately sprinkle crumbled goat cheese over the warm vegetables, allowing the cheese to slightly melt.
- Garnish with the toasted pine nuts, adding a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the dish.
- Serve immediately while the vegetables are still warm, optionally drizzling with additional olive oil or balsamic reduction for extra flavor.
Tips
- Slice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and professional-looking results.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (400-450°F) for perfect caramelization.
- Use tongs for gentle vegetable handling to prevent breaking delicate pieces.
- Don't overcrowd the grill—give vegetables space to develop beautiful char marks.
- Toast pine nuts carefully and watch them closely to prevent burning.
- Serve immediately while vegetables are warm to maximize flavor and cheese melting.
- Experiment with different seasonal vegetables to keep the recipe fresh and exciting.
- For extra flavor, consider marinating vegetables in herbs or adding a balsamic glaze.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 9g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 20mg
