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How to Grill Vegetables

Updated: June 09, 2014
It comes down to a kettle, a chimney, a little patience—and a smoky payoff. How to make the heat. By Julianna Grimes
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Three Steps to Grilled Vegetables

Photo: John Autry
Throwing a few vegetables onto the barbie to complement a burger or a chop gives short shrift to the true power of char and flame. The natural sugars in vegetables are caramelized by the high heat and suffused by the smoke. Yes, they’re good right off the fire. But go even further: Make a gazpacho, or grill stuffed jalapeños, or make a grilled Caesar salad. Fear not the fire: Techniques are revealed here.

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Light the paper.

Photo: John Autry
A chimney starter is indispensable for charcoal grilling. Stuff newspaper in the bottom. Place charcoal in the top, and light the paper. Now wait until the coals catch fire. If you don’t see smoke pouring out of the top and, eventually, flames, you need to relight.

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Wait. Wait a bit more.

Photo: John Autry
Yes, it can take its own sweet time. But don’t rush: Allow the flames to die down and the coals to take on a bright-red glow with a gray, ashy look. These cues signal that it’s time to put down your beverage and dump the coals into the bottom of your grill.
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Spread the bed of coals.

Photo: John Autry
Arrange coals in a pattern suited to what you’re cooking. For veggies that take longer than 20 minutes to cook (like dense potatoes), pile coals to one side of the grill for indirect heat. For quicker-cooking ingredients, pile coals in the center of the grill.

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Grilled Vegetable Gazpacho

Photo: John Autry
Make this soup up to two days ahead, cover, and chill until you’re ready to serve. If you prepare it ahead, you may need to stir in a bit of water before serving, as it may thicken slightly as it sits. For more heat, leave the seeds in the jalapeño, or remove them to tame the flames.

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Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños

Photo: Jennifer Causey Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

The rich and creamy combination of bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar is a nice foil for the muted spice of grilled jalapeño peppers. This recipe is a healthy, fresh alternative to the popular breaded and fried version. If making these poppers for a party, you can stuff the peppers, cover, and chill. Then grill just before your guests arrive.

 

 

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