Grilled Vegetable Salad

We just finished up our six months of student driver practicing, since our girls received their driver's permits on New Year's Eve.  My husband and I have tried to remain very cool, calm and collected during these driving outings.  I must admit that my husband has been much better at this than I have.

I am the worst passenger seat driver when it comes to my girls.  They are actually very good at this whole driving thing, I am just a nervous wreck, especially now that they are driving my new car.  I think it has gotten to the point now that when I try to give them motherly driving advice, they only hear "whaa-whaa-whaa" (like the trombone effect from Charlie Brown's teacher).  

I was so worried about them that I got the dealership to throw in at no extra charge, a back-up rear sensor that goes off if they get too close to something while they are backing up.  So now maybe they will listen to the constant beeping of a warning signal in the car while in reverse, instead of getting annoyed at me.

We have also told the girls that they cannot get their own car (to share) until they have both learned their way around town, from here to there and can find their way back home.  So, not only are we giving driving lessons, we are now teaching geography.

You would think that would be easy, yes?  Not so fast....I finally figured out why they weren't completely getting it at first...and it's our own fault (not an easy admission).  When my husband and I were growing up, we didn't have portable DVD players, cell phones, iPods, Kindles, or even walk-mans (I'm dating myself here) at that time.  All we had was the window at our side to look out of, stare and wonder "are we almost there?".  We took in every street name, landmark, tree and sign.  We knew exactly where we were at all times.

Today, kids, teens (and even some adults) are traveling with their heads facing down, enthralled in some electronic device.  It's no wonder they don't know how to get from A to B, they haven't been looking up and out.  Well, there's nothing like a little wager on the table to motivate a couple teenagers.  I'm here to tell you, they are learning very quickly now.

This grilled vegetable salad has absolutely nothing to do with driving lessons, but we made it last week and it was really good.  I have had this recipe forever and always keep going back to it, especially during the summer grilling months.

Thought for the weekend, "Get out there and see the world"...leave the electronics at home.

Grilled Vegetable Salad
Courtesy of Down Home with The Neelys

1/2 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 medium red onion, cut into 1/2-inch rings
1 yellow bell pepper, quartered, seeds and ribs removed
1 red bell pepper, quartered, seeds and ribs removed

***I also added 1 zucchini, sliced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 pound feta cheese

Dressing:
1 medium clove garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat grill to medium.

In a large bowl, toss the vegetables with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the vegetables, turning occasionally, until charred and tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove to a platter. Sprinkle with basil and feta.

In a small bowl, mix garlic, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle over vegetables.