Wash all the vegetables under cold water and dry with a paper towel. Asparagus: snap off the woody ends by holding the asparagus with both hands and gently bending it — it will break at the natural point (about 1–2 cm from the bottom). Zucchini: cut off the ends and slice lengthwise into pieces about 1 cm thick. Eggplant: slice into pieces about 1 cm thick. Bell pepper: cut in half, remove the seeds, and cut into large pieces. Onion: peel and cut into thick slices. Leave the tomatoes whole if they are cherry tomatoes or cut in half if they are larger.
Description
Salad of spring, grilled vegetables with a distinct herb dressing and delicate pieces of cottage cheese. The dish combines the sweetness of bell peppers and tomatoes, the lightness of asparagus, and the creaminess of cottage cheese. Inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, adapted to Polish seasonal ingredients. Serve as a light lunch, a side for grilling, or an appetizer for a party; it pairs wonderfully with a slice of whole grain bread or millet for a more filling version. Visually striking due to the contrast of green, red, and the white of the cottage cheese, along with characteristic grill marks.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (16)
- Asparagus 400 g
- Zucchini 1.4 szt. (~350 g)
- Eggplant 0.9 szt. (~300 g)
- Pepper 300 g
- Onion 1 szt. (~150 g)
- Tomato 1.7 szt. (~200 g)
- Rapeseed oil 45 g
- Garlic 2 ząbki (~10 g)
- Cottage cheese 200 g
- Lemon 0.8 szt. (~60 g)
- 🌿 Przyprawy
- Salt 0.1 szczypt (~3 g)
- Black pepper 4 szczypty (~2 g)
- Parsley 1 pęczek (~30 g)
- Basil 20 g
- ✨ Opcjonalne
- Walnuts 50 g
- Arugula 40 g
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Preparation steps
Preparation of vegetables
Preparing the eggplant
Sprinkle the eggplant slices lightly with salt on both sides (use about half of the salt from the recipe, i.e. 1–2 g) and place them on a sieve or cutting board for 10 minutes. This will draw out excess bitterness and moisture. After 10 minutes, gently pat the slices dry with a paper towel to ensure they are dry before grilling.
Marinade
In a large bowl, pour in the rapeseed oil (45 g), add the squeezed juice from a lemon (from about 1 lemon), crushed garlic (10 g), finely chopped parsley (30 g), and chopped basil (20 g). Add the remaining salt and pepper (3 g of salt and 2 g of pepper) and mix with a fork or whisk to create a smooth emulsion marinade.
Place the prepared vegetables (asparagus, zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, onion) into a bowl with the marinade and gently mix so that each piece is lightly coated. Set aside for 5 minutes — no longer, to prevent the vegetables from releasing too much juice.
Grilling
Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat (the heated pan should be lightly smoking, and a drop of water should sizzle quickly). On the hot surface, first place the bell pepper - grill for 6–8 minutes, turning every 2 minutes, until the skin is charred and blistered. Eggplant: grill for 3–4 minutes on each side until softened and with clear grill marks. Zucchini: grill for 2–3 minutes on each side. Asparagus: grill for 3–5 minutes, turning, until tender-crisp. Onion: grill for 3–4 minutes on each side until slightly caramelized. If using a grill, place the vegetables directly on the grate.
Chilling and Cutting
After grilling, transfer the vegetables to a large plate and set aside for 3–5 minutes to cool slightly — this will make them easier to cut. Cut the bell pepper into smaller pieces, slice the eggplant and zucchini into strips or cubes, tear the onion into rings, and trim the asparagus into pieces about 3–4 cm long.
Assembling the salad
In a large bowl, gently mix the chopped, cooled vegetables with the remaining marinade. Add the chopped tomatoes (200 g) and crumbled cheese (200 g). If you chose the option with arugula, add it now (40 g). If you are using walnuts (50 g), sprinkle them on top for crunch. Taste the salad and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Finishing and serving
Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual plates. Garnish with basil leaves and parsley. Serve immediately while the vegetables are still slightly warm — the flavor is best at that moment. As a side, I suggest a slice of whole grain bread or cooked millet if you want a heartier dish.
Final tips
If you are preparing the salad in advance, store the vegetables and cheese separately in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Before serving, mix them together and optionally add fresh herbs. You can add a teaspoon of honey to the dressing as a sweet contrast (optional).
Fun Fact
Grilling vegetables releases sugars through caramelization and intensifies their natural flavor — it's a simple way to enhance the taste of seasonal vegetables that has been known for centuries in Mediterranean kitchens.
Best for
Tips
Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. Top with fresh arugula or nuts for a contrast in textures. It pairs wonderfully with a slice of whole grain bread or as a side to grilled chicken breast (for the non-vegetarian version).
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Keep the cheese separate from the vegetables to prevent it from becoming too soft. To reheat, use a grill pan over medium heat for 1–2 minutes to restore the flavor.
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