Grilled Vegetable Platter with Red Wine Tomato Jam and Caramelized Onion Buttermilk Dip
This grilled vegetable platter served with a red wine tomato jam and caramelized onion buttermilk dip, both infused with Dreaming Tree Wine, is the red carpet version of your standard raw vegetable platter! The perfect healthy appetizer for your next gathering!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #EntertainandPair #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.
Admit it. You've been that person who brings a raw vegetable platter to the party in an attempt to have a healthy option for everyone to enjoy.
Except, no one actually enjoys that raw vegetable plate. Some eat it because it's there, but who has ever left a party saying "Wow! That baby carrot dipped in ranch was amazing! I wish Susan would share her recipe!"
No one. Ever.
This awards season, give your standard raw vegetable platter a red carpet makeover. My secret for a vegetable platter people will actually want to eat? Grill (or roast) the vegetables first, adding a caramelized, smoky flavor, and serve alongside a couple tasty, homemade dips. This grilled vegetable platter, served with not one, but two delicious dipping sauces, is perfect for entertaining when you want to impress.
Usually when I make a grilled vegetable platter, I serve it with some type of hummus or avocado-based dip, but for this campaign, I decided to experiment cooking with Dreaming Tree wine...and I think I found two new favorites in the process! Both get a deep, rich, and luxurious flavor from a base of caramelized onions infused with Dreaming Tree wine. The jammy notes of Dreaming Tree Crush, a red wine blend, went perfectly in the tomato jam, adding a layer of fruitiness and complexity. For the buttermilk dressing, I went with Dreaming Tree chardonnay. Now, normally I'm not a chardonnay person. Actually, I rather despise chardonnay, which is why it was the only Dreaming Tree wine I hadn't tried. But I thought chardonnay's buttery flavor would go really well with the caramelized onions over the crisp, more acidic everyday white (which I love for sipping!). So glad I picked it up though, because I discovered I really like their chardonnay! Like, a lot! It's aged in both stainless steel and oak barrels, so it's not overly oaky and cloying like the other chardonnays I've tried.
As a long time fan of Dreaming Tree Wine, I was particularly excited about the project. As an even longer time fan of Dave Matthews (high school flashbacks!), who launched Dreaming Tree with winemaker Sean McKenzie, I picked up a bottle almost as soon as it launched and it's been a favorite ever since. Outside of the flavor (Crush is my favorite) and high quality for a reasonable price, I really appreciate their commitment to sustainability. It's a Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing winery and has the largest solar initiative in the wine industry. The wines are even packaged sustainably, using less glass and a recycled label.
Considering we're smack dab in the middle of awards season, I think you'll have plenty of opportunities to whip up this grilled vegetable platter. Usually I'm not big into award season, but this year, we've kept up with most of the nominees and I definitely have my favorites...which I won't share, because after they win I like to say "I knew it! I totally called it!" ;) So, I'm thinking we may have people over to watch and put out this grilled vegetable platter along with a selection of cheeses and crusty bread.
Although this grilled vegetable platter is more effort than a premade vegetable platter from the grocery store, leftovers can easily be stretched into meals during the week. Serve the leftover vegetables in a grain bowl. Leftover buttermilk dip is perfect in my collard green salad with cornbread croutons or your favorite simple side salad. The tomato jam would be so tasty served over roasted fish or a grilled steak, or on my salmon BLT sandwich. And of course, the leftover wine is perfect for sipping and pretending to be fancy during your very own awards party!
For more inspiration on how to #EntertainandPair, head to their website. Be sure to check out your local retailer for wine tasting demos! What are your favorite red carpet bites, and which Dreaming Tree Wine would you like to pair it with?
Keep up with Dreaming Tree Wines:
Grilled Vegetable Platter
Use any fresh vegetables you like. I used cherry tomatoes (on a skewer), cauliflower florets, halved baby zucchini, mushrooms and green beans. If you prefer roasting, toss them with a tablespoon of olive oil and roast in a 400 degree oven until golden and tender.
Ingredients:
Fresh vegetables, trimmed, and cut into 'serving' pieces
Olive oil spray
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Red wine tomato jam & caramelized onion buttermilk dip, for serving
Instructions:
Set grill to medium high. Spray vegetables with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on the grill and cook until lightly charred, but still crisp-tender. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
Red Wine Tomato Jam
Makes about 3 cups
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup Dreaming Tree Crush or other rich, fruity red wine
1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions:
Heat olive oil on medium heat in a medium pot. Add red onion and garlic and saute until starting to get golden, about 7 minutes. Add a sprinkle of salt and continue to cook over medium heat until deeply caramelized, tender and almost jammy looking, about 40 minutes.
Pour in wine, scraping up the bottom with a spatula. Add tomatoes, balsamic, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until very thick and jam-like, about 15 minutes total. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.
Caramelized Onion Buttermilk Dip
Makes about 1 1/2 cups
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 sweet onion, chopped
1/2 cup Dreaming Tree chardonnay or other richly flavored white wine
1 cup buttermilk, low or full fat
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 small clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
Heat olive oil on medium heat in a medium skillet. Add onion and garlic. Saute until starting to look golden, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and continue cooking, stirring every so often, until onions are deeply caramelized and jammy in appearance, about 40 minutes. Stir in wine, scraping up bottom of the pan with a spatula, and cook until wine is almost completely reduced and the onions are very jammy in appearance, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat, scrape onions into a bowl, and set aside to cool slightly.
When onions have cooled a bit, stir in buttermilk, olive oil, parsley, vinegar, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and add more if desired.
If you like this grilled vegetable platter, you might also like:
Potato Cakes with Smoked Salmon and Creamy Dill Sauce
Harissa Hummus
Grilled Vegetable Platter