Vedure al Forno with Grilled Buttermilk Chicken

So, the temps have changed by about 15 degrees and Meghan and I have decided to bring in the new autumn season with one pot dishes.  Move over Sandwichs and bring in the hearty, earthy, feel good dishes of Autumn!  Although, this week, I cheated a little.  I was anxious to try the Vegetable al Forno recipe I found, using the last of the summer season's Farmer's Market zuchinni, but added the delicious Buttermilk Grilled Chicken to round out the meal and make it more hearty and filling.  ( the only adaptaptation I made to the chicken recipe was that I used only thigh/leg quarters) Brad and I had sampled the chicken recipe before and it has officially made it into the Old Standby's of my recipe box.  That is the most moist grilled chicken we have ever had - guess that is due to the sublime powers of a buttermilk bath!  The Vegetable al Forno was no disappointment either, but I'm not sure you can ever go wrong with that much cheese?  Fontina, Mozarella, Peccorino Romano, ooey cheesy goodness!  I will admit however, that the breadcrumbs are on top of each layer of this three layer dish which seemed a little strange.  I assume they were there to add a thickness to the sauce although they didn't quite cook up like I would have wanted.  (still seemed a little raw)  It is important to mention though that the second day around, after reheating in the toaster oven on 350 for about 20 minutes, this dish was even better, including those lower breadcrumb layers. 
This veggie dish, as well as the chicken, would be fabulous for the little ones too.  My little one however, was fighting a virus at the time and wasn't partaking in much of anything at the table that day.  Oh, except, BB's - which is code for Blueberries in our house and are little one's all time favorite, any hour of the day, sick, happy, mad or well.  She breaks for blueberries! 

Vedure al Forno

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 5 medium zucchini, (about 1 1/2 pounds) sliced lengthwise, 1/4-inch thick
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated mozzarella
• 1 cup grated fontina
• 1/4 cup grated Romano
• 1 cup plain dried bread crumbs
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Coat the bottom of a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with extra-virgin olive oil. Arrange zucchini slices on the bottom of the dish and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Evenly pour 1/3 cup of the heavy cream and sprinkle with 1/3 of a cup of mozzarella, 1/3 cup fontina and 2 tablespoons of the Romano. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup of the bread crumbs. Repeat layers, ending with the bread crumbs. Cut the 4 tablespoons of butter into 1/2-inch cubes and sprinkle over the top of the dish. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, place the baking dish on top and bake for 40 minutes until bubbling and the top is golden brown.

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken

A soak in herb-laced buttermilk imparts a slight tang to this chicken while tenderizing the meat. The key to grilling chicken is to create two heat zones: one for high, direct heat (over the coals) and one for low, indirect heat (away from the coals). 

Ingredients

• 
  
  4 cups buttermilk
• 
  
  15 garlic cloves
• 
  
  1 cup fresh rosemary or thyme
• 
  
  Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 
  
  3 whole chickens (about 3 pounds each), cut into 8 pieces each (then halve breasts on the diagonal)
• 
  
  Safflower oil, for brushing 

Directions

Combine buttermilk, garlic, herbs, 2 tablespoons salt, and 2 teaspoons pepper.

Divide chicken between 2 baking dishes. Cover with marinade, turning to coat. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, turning chicken occasionally. Remove chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling.

Heat grill to medium with direct and indirect heat zones. Brush grates with oil. Remove chicken from marinade, and pat dry with paper towels. Grill breast halves, thighs, and drumsticks, skin side down, over direct heat for 10 minutes. Flip, move to indirect heat, and grill, covered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thighs registers 165 degrees, 10 to 15 minutes. Grill wings over direct heat, flipping often, until cooked through, about 15 minutes.