Part 13 (1/2)

2. Place the skewers in a pan large enough to allow them to lay flat. Pour the marinade over the skewers and let sit for approximately 1 hour.

3. Place the skewers in a lightly oiled grill basket and place on a hot grill. Cook approximately 5 minutes on each side or until vegetables are done to your liking.

[image]Grilling Isn't Just for Meats!

Grilling vegetables may be my favorite way to prepare them. Even when I just baste them in a little olive oil and sprinkle them with salt and pepper, grilling gives them this special taste you just can't get any other way. And if you burn them a little bit - who cares - the charring just adds a little more flavor!

Serves 6 If you are planning on serving your vegetables from a bowl, don't bother with the skewers. Simply place the vegetables in a pan, marinate them, and then place them in a grill basket to cook.

Pumpkin with Peppercorns and Garlic 30 peppercorns 2 cloves garlic 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 cups fresh pumpkin pieces, cut into 1-inch cubes 1. Using a mortar and pestle, crush together the peppercorns and the garlic.

2. Add the vegetable oil to a large saute pan and heat on high. Add the peppercorn-garlic mixture and stir-fry until the garlic just begins to brown.

3. Add the pumpkin pieces, stirring to coat.

4. Add the water and bring the water to a simmer. After the water has been reduced by half, stir in the fish sauce and sugar.

5. Continue to cook until the pumpkin is tender but not mushy.

6. Serve as a side dish.

[image]Thai Pumpkins In Thailand, the differences between pumpkins and squashes are not very well defined - they basically treat them all the same. The Thai version of a pumpkin is Fug Tong, but almost any fleshy hard squash can be subst.i.tuted (with different, but delicious, results).

Serves 46 Pumpkin? Really? Yes, really. The slightly sweet flavor of the pumpkin handles the strong flavors of the peppercorns and the garlic astonis.h.i.+ngly well. I like to serve this as an accompaniment to simple grilled meats.

Gingered Green Beans 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 stalk lemongra.s.s, minced (inner tender portion only) 1 tablespoon peeled and minced ginger 13 (to taste) serrano chilies, seeded and minced cup coconut milk teaspoon salt pound green beans, trimmed 1. In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the oil on medium-high. Stir in the lemongra.s.s, ginger, and chilies; saute for 1 to 2 minutes.

2. Stir in the coconut milk and the salt until well combined.

3. Add the green beans, raise the heat to high, and cook for 3 minutes or until the beans are done to your liking.

Serves 24 This recipe goes well with grilled steak, especially if the beans have been soaked in an Asian marinade. They also complement seared tuna exceedingly well. Or try tossing them into a salad.

Curried Green Beans 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons Red Curry Paste (see recipes in Chapter 1) 6 cups chicken or vegetable both 1 pound green beans, trimmed Steamed rice 1. In a large saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

2. Add the curry paste and stir-fry for 1 minute.

3. Stir in the broth until well combined with the paste. Add the green beans and bring to a low boil. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes to reduce the liquid.

4. Reduce the heat to maintain a hard simmer and continue cooking until the beans are very well done.

5. Serve the beans over steamed rice, ladling the sauce over the top.

Serves 46 I usually like my green beans like a really rare steak - just barely heated through. But in this instance, you have to cook the beans almost to a pulp. As the beans break down, they help form the sauce.

Green Beans with Macadamia Nut Sauce 1 medium onion, chopped 4 whole raw macadamia nuts, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons water teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon ground coriander teaspoon ground c.u.min 1 cup coconut milk 1 bay leaf -1 teaspoon salt to taste 1 pound green beans, trimmed 1. Place the onion, macadamia nuts, garlic, vegetable oil, and water in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Transfer the paste to a small bowl and stir in the cayenne pepper, coriander, and c.u.min.

2. In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the macadamia nut paste, coconut milk, and bay leaf over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook until reduced by half.

3. Stir in the salt. Add the green beans and continue simmering, stirring occasionally, until the beans are done to your liking, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add salt to taste if necessary.

Serves 46 The macadamia sauce in this recipe is amazing. I love the complexity of tastes, and the nuts add flavor as well as texture. The sauce is also delicious over some pasta (without the beans).

Roasted Asian Cauliflower 1 head cauliflower, broken into florets (cut the florets in half if large) 1. Place the cauliflower florets in a large Ziplock bag and pour marinade over them; let rest in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours.

2. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.

3. Place the cauliflower florets in a roasting pan. Roast for approximately 15 minutes or until tender, turning after 7 to 8 minutes.

Serves 68 Roasting cauliflower? Yes, another strange idea, but it's actually quite good and it couldn't be much easier.

Spicy Stir-Fried Corn 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 stalk lemongra.s.s, minced (tender inner portion only) 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 tablespoon b.u.t.ter 1 medium onion, minced 4 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen and thawed are best) 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth 2 teaspoons lime zest 2 tablespoons fish sauce Tabasco to taste 2 tablespoons lime juice 1. Place the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the lemongra.s.s. As soon as it begins to brown, add the garlic, b.u.t.ter, and onion. Continue to cook on high, letting the ingredients brown somewhat.

2. Add the corn kernels and cook until they brown. Stir in the vegetable stock; stirring constantly, cook the mixture for 2 minutes, sc.r.a.ping the bottom of the pan to loosen any burned-on bits.

3. Stir in the remaining ingredients and cook for 30 more seconds.

Serves 68 This corn recipe can be addicting. So be warned! Try serving it with any grilled meat or fish dish.

Grilled Eggplant with an Asian Twist 4-8 j.a.panese eggplants (about 1 pounds in all) Olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 1. Prepare a grill or broiler. Allow it to achieve high heat.

2. If the eggplants are relatively large, cut in half vertically. Toss them with a little olive oil just to coat, and season with salt and pepper. Place the eggplant either in a vegetable grilling basket or directly on the grill grate or broiler pan. Cook until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes, turning midway through the cooking process.

3. Remove from the heat. Sprinkle with lemon juice and fish sauce.

4. Garnish with basil leaves. Serve either hot or at room temperature.

Serves 46 I like cooking with j.a.panese eggplant because you don't have to go through the process of salting them in order to extract their extra moisture like you do with our larger, more familiar Western ones.