Emerald Charred Veg (Printable)
Smoky grilled green vegetables tossed in zesty lemon-herb dressing. A bright and fresh dish.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 7 oz broccolini or tenderstem broccoli, trimmed
02 - 5.3 oz asparagus, trimmed
03 - 3.5 oz sugar snap peas, ends removed
04 - 5.3 oz zucchini, sliced into thick rounds
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 0.5 tsp sea salt
07 - 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Dressing
08 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
10 - 1 tsp lemon zest
11 - 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
12 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
13 - 1 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
14 - 0.5 tsp Dijon mustard
15 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Garnish (optional)
16 - 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
17 - Extra fresh herbs
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat a grill pan or barbecue to high heat.
02 - Toss broccolini, asparagus, sugar snap peas, and zucchini with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
03 - Arrange vegetables in a single layer on the grill and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly charred and crisp-tender, working in batches if needed.
04 - Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, grated garlic, parsley, mint, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until combined.
05 - Transfer grilled vegetables to a platter, drizzle with lemon-herb dressing while warm, and toss gently to coat evenly.
06 - Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and extra herbs as desired, then serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Ready in 30 minutes but tastes like you fussed over it for hours.
- The char gives you that restaurant-quality smokiness without any complicated technique.
- Works as a side, a light lunch, or even a topping for grain bowls and salads.
02 -
- Overcrowding the pan is the biggest mistake—work in batches even if it feels inefficient, because vegetables need space to char, not steam.
- The dressing tastes thin when you first make it, but it coats and clings to the warm vegetables beautifully; don't add more oil thinking it needs it.
03 -
- Pat your vegetables completely dry after washing—moisture steams rather than chars, and you want that hard, hot surface making contact.
- The grill marks aren't just for show; they mean the natural sugars have caramelized and released deep, complex flavors that you can't get any other way.