Vegetarian Satays with Asian Pesto

== Description ==
The perfect way to start the day - a hot Asian take on vegetables, mushrooms, pesto, and skewers is made great on other vegetables or main dishes, and cooked to golden-brown, smooth perfection, as it keeps a red-hot aroma with the herbs and peanuts from the homemade pesto. Button mushrooms commonly replace the shiitake caps and work for this recipe.
== Ingredients ==
=== For the skewer base ===
* 1 zucchini, sliced on the bias, ¼-inch thick
* 1 small eggplant, sliced in half, then ¼-inch slices
* 10 large shiitake caps
* 4 scallions, 1-inch lengths
* wooden skewers soaked in water
=== Peanut pesto ===
* 4 cups roasted peanuts, plain only, reserving 2 cups for plating
* 2 large, sliced shallots
* 4 cloves sliced garlic
* 3 minced Thai bird chiles
* 3 kaffir lime leaves, chiffonade
* 2 stalks lemon grass, white part only, minced
* 1 tablespoon sugar, brown or white only
* 2 limes, juiced or (7 ¾ tbsp. lemon juice)
* 2 cups peanut oil
* 1 cup Thai basil leaves
* ½ cup cilantro leaves
* ½ cup mint leaves
* 2 tsp. salt
* 3 tsp. black pepper
== Directions ==
# Prepare a hot grill.
# Skewer the slices individually.
# The shiitakes should have a scallion on each side. Lightly oil and season the satays and on a hot grill, mark and criss-cross both sides, about 4 to 5 minutes total.
# In a food processor, add 2 cups peanuts, shallots, garlic, chiles, kaffir, and lemongrass and puree smooth.
# Add sugar, lemon or lime juice, and season. Drizzle with the remaining oil then add the herbs.
# Check for seasoning. Lay a bed of peanuts on a large plate.
# Serve the pesto in a bowl and surround with satays. Garnish with extra kaffir leaves or lemongrass.
Category:Vegetarian Recipes
Category:Zucchini Recipes
Category:Eggplant Recipes
Category:Shiitake mushroom Recipes
Category:Skewer Recipes
Category:Kaffir lime leaf Recipes
Category:Lemongrass Recipes
Category:Lime juice Recipes
Category:Thai chile Recipes
Category:Thai basil Recipes
Category:Peanut Recipes
Category:Vegan Recipes
Category:Vegan Main Dish Recipes
Category:World Recipes
Category:Asian Recipes
Category:Herb Recipes
Category:Spice Recipes
Category:Fruit juice Recipes
Category:Vegetable Recipes
Category:Vegetarian Main Dish Recipes
Category:Dinner Recipes
Category:Lunch Recipes
Category:Breakfast Recipes
Category:Garlic Recipes
Category:Shallot Recipes
Category:Mint Recipes
Category:Cilantro Recipes
Category:Chili Recipes
Category:Black pepper Recipes
Category:Mushroom Recipes
Category:Grilled Recipes