Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Caper Aioli | Easy Summer Entertaining Recipes

This is one of my all time favorite 'restaurant' recipes.  Anytime I go to a restaurant and I see grilled artichokes on the menu, I order them.  I've found that I like them best when simply grilled with a little bit of seasoning and a great dipping sauce.  I used to be intimidated by making a dipping sauce- especially those named 'aioli' until I discovered that 'aioli' is mayonnaise...  Now I use mayonnaise as a base to make all kinds of great dipping sauces- this lemon and caper is one of my favorites.  It is great with grilled shrimp, too- a favorite from my catering days.

Grilled Artichokes
with a Lemon Garlic Caper Aioli

3 artichokes, quartered
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 clove of garlic
1 tablespoon of sea salt + 2 teaspoons
1 teaspoon of cracked pepper

for the aioli:
3/4 cup of mayonnaise
1/2 cup of sour cream
1 lemon, the juice of
1 clove of garlic
2 tablespoons of capers (or more, if you'd like)
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of cracked pepper

Combine olive oil and 1 clove of garlic cut in slices.  Let the garlic infuse into the oil while you are preparing the artichokes.

Cut the artichokes in quarters, lengthwise.  Fill a medium saucepan with water with 1 tablespoon of sea salt.  Bring to a boil.  Add artichoke quarters and cook for 20-30 minutes until tender.  Remove from water and let them cool on a baking sheet.  If you are preparing these ahead of time, you can refrigerate them at this point up to over night.

Before grilling, brush the garlic infused olive oil onto all sides of the artichoke hearts.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Grill for 2-3 minutes on each side until there is a nice char on the leaves.

For the sauce, stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic capers, salt and pepper.   Add more lemon, salt and/or pepper to taste.

The grilled artichokes are the perfect compliment to Grilled Prosciutto & Fresh Mozzarella toasts.

Grilled Prosciutto, Fresh Mozzarella Garlic Toasts with Fresh Basil | Easy Summer Entertaining Recipes

Prosciutto & Fresh Mozzarella
on Grilled Garlic Toasts

makes 24 toasts
1 baguette
2 cloves of garlic, peeled
3 tablespoons of olive oil
8 ounces of fresh mozzarella, sliced
6 slices of prosciutto, thinly sliced
sea salt & cracked pepper
fresh basil, chopped

Prepare the bread by slicing it into thin slices.  Grill bread just before serving.  You can do it under the broiler in your oven, or on the grill.  Brush the bread with olive oil on one side.  If broiling, place them on a sheet oiled side up and place them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes.  Be careful not to burn!  If grilling, also grill the bread for 1-2 minutes.  When you remove them from the grill or oven, let them cool slightly, then rub the raw clove of garlic on each piece.

If grilling, brush the other side of the bread with oil, the put that side down on the baking sheet or tray.  If you are broiling in the oven, just keep the toasts on the sheet with their toasted side up. Top each piece of bread with small, thin slices of prosciutto.  Then, top each with a slice of fresh mozzarella.  Grill or broil the toasts for 2 minutes, or just until the mozzarella begins to melt.  Remove from the grill or broiler and top with salt, pepper and fresh basil.

Ready to go on the grill along with some artichokes (Grilled Artichokes recipe here).

The toasts have been grilled, now I'm ready to top them with prosciutto and cheese.

Hot from the grill - these are great as an appetizer or as part of dinner... like deluxe cheese bread.  I often serve them when we're having a vegetarian soup or pasta, then Mike feels like we've had something hearty with meat.



I like to serve these with another grilled appetizer favorite - Grill Artichokes with a Lemon Caper Aioli.  Both make great appetizers or as a side with a steak, grilled fish or kebabs.

To find more of my Entertaining Essentials, stop by my store of specially selected favorites.

Lemon Basil Grilled Shrimp Skewers | Grilled Summer Appetizer

These Lemon Basil Grilled Shrimp Skewers were a Summer staple for me as a caterer- always one of the first things to go.  After I had served these a couple of times I had to raise the price of these on my menus because I was having to prepare so many of them to keep up with the demand of the guests... I never wanted to run out of anything.  

As I've mentioned before, I'm a stickler for making sure that everything on my menus goes well with each other... I find that these are much better to serve at a party than traditional shrimp cocktail because the flavors of the herbs and lemon go much better with a drink and other menu items than a strongly flavored ketchup based cocktail sauce.  They are perfect party food- flavorful, elegant, easy to prepare in advance and easy to eat.

This recipe was inspired by a Barefoot Contessa recipe - she served them as a main course with pesto pasta... also one of my favorite ways to enjoy them. 

You can find the skewers, here, that make these look great and perfect for a party.

Lemon Basil 
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
4 appetizer portions
1 pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons of fresh basil, chopped
2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
2 lemons, juiced
1/4 cup of olive oil
2 teaspoons of sea salt
1 teaspoon of cracked pepper
bamboo skewers

In a bowl, combine garlic, basil, parsley, dijon, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.  Combine well with a fork.  Add shrimp and toss.  If time allows, let the shrimp marinate for 1 hour or over night.



Soak wooden skewers in water for 1 hour.  Skewer shrimp onto the sticks.  Grill for 1 minute on each side until pink.  Serve warm, at room temperature, or refrigerate and serve cold.  If the weather isn't cooperating for the grill, they can also be prepared in the oven- just roast them at 450 degrees for 5-7 minutes. 

For the complete menu and all of the recipes from my Ladies Night Patio Party, click here!

Stop by Everyday Occasions, The Store for more of my favorite entertaining essentials that make entertaining easy.  

Grilled Romaine Lettuce | Summer Grilling

When I was in college I worked at a Micro-Brewery (Flatbranch for my fellow Mizzou folks...) and there they served a grilled romaine salad.  As this was around 13 years ago, I know that grilled salads are not new to most of you... but I had never actually tried one until a few weeks ago.  We had dinner with my brother and his Claire at one of our local favorite spots - Gram and Dun.  (It is a sort of chic comfort food type place with great drinks.  You might remember, last year I shared my version of their Chorizo & Mussels.)  Along with the mussels (again!), I ordered their grilled salad that I've been anxious to recreate.

My version starts with a basting liquid with rosemary, lemon and garlic that you brush over before and after grilling.  After the grill, I squeezed with fresh lemon and topped with parmesan cheese.  Sooooo good.  The slight grilled rosemary flavor is really special with the freshness of the lemon and lettuce.

Grilled Romaine Salad


1/2 cup of olive oil
1 lemon, juice & zest
1 tablespoon of rosemary, minced
1 teaspoon of garlic, minced
sea salt
cracked pepper
....
2 small-ish heads of romaine (I used the pre-packaged hearts)
1 lemon, quartered
1/2 cup of parmesan cheese, fresh grated
cherry tomatoes

Start grill or prepare coals.  While the grill is heating up...

Wash and dry the romaine lettuce.  Cut in half length-wise.  Mix together the oil, lemon zest and juice, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper.  Brush mixture on the cut side of the lettuce. 



Grill lettuce, cut side down for 2-4 minutes (depending on the temp of your grill) just until grill marks appear.  Remove from grill and brush again with liquid.  Top with tomatoes, squeeze of lemon and parmesan cheese.

Grilled Tomato, Goat Cheese, Fresh Sweet Corn & Basil Appetizer

I'm always looking for new fresh ways to serve our favorites - Tomatoes, Sweet Corn & Basil.  During the summer we get tired of just sliced tomatoes and corn on the cob - somehow - though it seems impossible right now.  This little appetizer is an amazing combo of everything we love.  Grilling the tomato adds a slight smokiness, and warms the goat cheese, offset by the cold and crunchy sweet corn kernels and fresh basil.  Though I don't always serve plated starters when we have friends for dinner, sometimes I come across something so special, it is worth washing the extra dish.  You can also serve this as a traditional shared appetizer if you cut it into wedges and serve it with grilled bread... which I think I'll do for a party this Friday.  

 Grilled Tomato, Goat Cheese, 
Fresh Sweet Corn & Basil Appetizer


4 thick slices of tomato - firm enough to grill
1/2 cup of olive oil
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
1 clove of garlic
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of cracked pepper
4 ounces of goat cheese
1 ear of sweet corn, kernels cut off
2 tablespoons of basil

Place the 4 slices of tomato on a pan or plate ready to go to the grill.  In a small bowl make the brushing liquid by stirring together oil, lemon juice, vinegar garlic salt and pepper.  Brush on both sides of the tomato.

Grill tomato for 2 minutes, then flip.  After flipping, top tomato with goat cheese (a little goes a long way...) and more of the lemon garlic oil.  Grill for 2-3 more minutes until the goat cheese is warm and soft.  Remove from the grill.  Plate and sprinkle on fresh corn cut from the cob and basil.  Drizzle on more of the lemon garlic liquid.

Tomato, Zucchini and Olive Bruschetta | Fresh Summer Party Food

I love good party food.  I really do think there is an art to designing a menu for a party.   It should be fresh, really flavorful, not too complicated and look bountiful - no one likes to go to a party where they feel like the food is rationed out or they have to wonder what it is they're eating!   When I was catering, I was able to observe what people when crazy for, then I would think about why...  

Here are my rules for great party food :

- Goes great with a cocktail, beer or glass of wine

- Easy to eat with one hand

- Easy to eat in a couple of bits

- Good hot, cold and/or at room temperature

These bruschetta fit the bill- in fact, most all bruschetta fit the bill.  I really like this combination of tomatoes, zucchini and olives - it feels very summery to me.  Another reason this is great party food?  Budget friendly.  The zucchini is a budget friendly way to stretch the more expensive tomatoes and olives.  Zucchini typically takes on the flavors you add to it, so the garlic and seasoning will make it taste very flavorful, not to mention the great green color it adds.  Don't feel like you have to splurge on heirloom tomatoes for this recipe- the seasoning and the other ingredients provide plenty of color.  Save your splurge for something else.  

 

Tomato, Zucchini & Olive Bruschetta
perfectly fresh party food for summer

serves 8 people for appetizers

1 zucchini, diced
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 small pinch of red pepper flakes
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of cracked pepper
..........
3 cups of diced tomatoes
1/2 cup of kalamata olives
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of cracked pepper
..........
1 large baguette, sliced into 24 slices
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 clove of garlic 

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Place diced zucchini on a baking sheet and toss it in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 small pinch of red pepper flakes, minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of sea salt and cracked pepper.  Roast it in the oven for 10 minutes until the zucchini begins to brown on the tips.  Remove from the oven and let cool.

Meanwhile, dice tomatoes and olives and place them in a medium bowl.  Dress the tomatoes and olives with  olive oil, salt & pepper.  Add the zucchini and toss.  Refrigerate until you're ready to use- I like to serve this cold, but it is great at room temperature, too.

Prepare the bread by slicing it into thin slices.  Toast bread just before serving.  You can do it under the broiler in your oven, or on the grill.  Brush the bread with olive oil on both sides.  If broiling, place them on a sheet and place them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes on each side.  Be careful not to burn!  If grilling, also grill the bread on each side for 1-2 minutes.  When you remove them from the grill or oven, let them cool slightly, then rub the raw clove of garlic on each piece.

Serve with the tomato mix and parmesan cheese on the side to be assemble by the guests, so the bread does not get soggy.  If you would like to serve them pre-assembled, I recommend assembling, then serving them immediately from a passed tray.

Piled high.  Don't you like the napkin?  I made it myself!

 

I gobbled up these three right after shooting... I would plan for 3 per person.  At least.

 



I think these work great for pre-dinner appetizers because they are not too heavy- light and fresh before dinner so your guests are still hungry!  Paired with some other hors d'oeuvres they are great for a cocktail party, too, as they are substantial enough to be satisfying... think of them as a side dish as party of a mini meal. 

I'm so ready for some Summer parties... and Summer cocktails.  What are your favorites to serve to a crowd?

Homemade Herbed Ricotta on Toasted Baguette

Homemade Herbed Ricotta
on Toasted Baguette


4 cups of whole milk
2 cups of heavy cream
3 tablespoons of white wine vinegar
cheesecloth

1 teaspoon of sea salt
1 teaspoon of cracked pepper
3 tablespoons of chives, chopped

1 baguette, sliced
olive oil
1 clove of garlic

In a sauce pan,  heat milk and cream until boiling.  Remove from heat and stir in vinegar.  Let sit for 2 minutes.  Put the cheesecloth over a large bowl so it hangs over the sides.  Pour milk mixture onto the cheesecloth.  Allow the milk/watery liquid drain through the cheesecloth, leaving the cheese curds.  Let it continue to drain for 30 minutes.  Transfer the 'cheese' that remains in the cheesecloth into another bowl and discard the liquid.  A chives, salt and pepper to the cheese. 

Heat your ovens broiler on high.  Drizzle the baguette slices with olive oil.  Tast the bread on a baking sheet in the oven for 1-2 minutes just until it begins to brown.  Remove it from the oven and rub a garlic clove over the top of each piece.  Serve dolloped with the ricotta.

 

 This recipe is part of my Bunny Baby Shower :


Bunny Baby Shower Table Setting

Homemade Herbed Ricotta on Toasted Garlic Baguette

Cream of Asparagus & Spinach Soup

Coconut Cupcakes

Heirloom Tomatoes on Grilled Bread

It is August and tomatoes are everywhere!  Except on my tomato plants.  I have a few green ones on the vines, but none red for picking.  For now, I'll have to rely on my local markets, which are overflowing with tomatoes.

Heirloom tomatoes are all the rage - for good reason.  Over the years, as farming became more progressive, commercialized and scientific, tomatoes and tomato plants were hybridized to create more perfect looking tomatoes, and tomatoes that were more stable to ship across the country.  With these 'improvements' that large farms implemented, the taste and flavor of the tomato was sacrificed.  These tomatoes that are found in many grocery stores are the often perfectly round, firm and tasteless.  Up until a couple of years ago, I had lost my taste for tomatoes because I was so often unimpressed.  Remember my 'real strawberries' revelation?  This was similar...