Jovina cooks Italian: Shrimp and tomato salad and Sausage with Peppers

Salad Course: Grilled Shrimp Tomato Salad

This is a popular dish, so I often divide the salad onto smaller serving dishes, so I can have them available in several areas.

Serves 6

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil for the grill
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 5 tablespoons mixed chopped fresh herbs, such as dill, basil, mint, and/or chives
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 2 pounds peeled and deveined large raw shrimp
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 pounds tomatoes,  quartered
• Parsley sprigs for garnish

Directions

Oil the grill grates and preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

Whisk together the ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil and next 6 ingredients (through garlic) in a small bowl. Whisk in 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.

Arrange tomatoes on a large serving platter or in a large bowl, and drizzle with 1/4 cup of the vinaigrette.

Mix the shrimp with the 3 tablespoons of olive oil, the 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.

Grill the shrimp, covered with the grill lid, 2 minutes on each side or just until shrimp turn pink.

Mix the grilled shrimp with the remaining vinaigrette and arrange over tomatoes. Garnish with the parsley sprigs. Serve at room temperature.

Main Dish: Italian Sausage and Peppers

This dish is always a big hit with everyone.

Serves 6

For the sausage:

• 1 ½ lb. Italian sausage

Directions

Prepare an outdoor grill for cooking over medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas).

Keep a third of the grill indirect heat. On a charcoal grill, this means spreading the coals over two-thirds of the firebox and leaving one-third coal-free.

On a gas grill, leave one burner off. Sausages should be grilled over indirect heat.

Lightly brush or rub the sausage with olive oil. This prevents sticking and makes them extra crisp. Use tongs and don’t break the sausage skin when turning.

Grill the sausages over the indirect part of the grill until crusty and golden brown on the outside and cooked through, about 30 minutes, turning them over after 15 minutes.

The safe internal temperature for ground meats—sausages included—is 160 degrees F.

Cut the sausages into two-inch lengths and set aside.

For the peppers and onions:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 6 sweet bell peppers or 20 Italian frying peppers, seeded, sliced into 2 1/2 to 3-inch long strips
• 2 large sweet onions, halved and sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, grated
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano or 1 teaspoon of fresh oregano leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (chili)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

To finish the dish:

• 2 cups Marinara (tomato) sauce

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions, the peppers, garlic, oregano, pepper flakes, salt and pepper and cook for about 10 minutes, until crisp tender.

Add the tomato sauce and heat.

Add the grilled sausage links to the skillet with the peppers and onions. Heat until the sausage is warm.