Grilled Spicy Smoky Chicken Thighs, Tri-Colored Veggie Pasta & Grilled Caprese Salad

This evening I made a very simple and super delicious dinner.  I made grilled spicy smoky chicken thighs by spraying boneless, skinless chicken thighs with olive oil, sprinkling them with Spicy Montreal Steak Seasoning, kosher sea salt, and smoked paprika (on both sides) and then grilling them about 4 minutes per side on a medium-hot grill.  They turned out so juicy and tender and delicious that you would never believe they were cooked without any skin on to keep them juicy. The smoky paprika added a delicious smoky flavor...it was a great combination of seasonings.  While the grill was hot, I decided to try a slightly different twist on Caprese salad. Rather than stack sliced cold fresh mozzarella cheese, basil and tomatoes...I sprayed both sides of the fresh mozzarella slices with olive oil and then lightly grilled them on both sides, just enough to melt slightly and add some light grill marks. I sandwiched a big fresh basil leaf in between two slices of the grilled fresh mozzarella, topped it with diced cherry tomatoes and then drizzled with "spicy red pepper and garlic infused" olive oil. It was absolutely delicious!

Last, but not least, I used my julienne peeler to julienne 1 large zucchini, 3 medium yellow squash and 1 carrot into beautiful and colorful "noodle strands".  I very lightly sauteed them in olive oil for 2 to 3 minutes and then added a large dollop of sun dried tomato pesto (by Mezzetta) to the skillet and tossed it all together; sprinkled with shredded Parmigiano Reggiano and served that as our side dish. I cooked my veggies al dente (a slight bite to them). It was absolutely delicious and I could not have enjoy it any more if it were "real pasta". The longer I go without eating wheat and the more ways I find to enjoy familiar favorites without it, the easier and more enjoyable it becomes. I can't imagine eating any other way. Life is sweet without wheat!  I snapped a few photos of my dinner below to help give you some ideas of how simple wheatlessness truly can be. Enjoy!

It took me about 5 minutes to make this with my favorite julienne peeler!

The veggies are lightly sauteed in olive oil with a touch of sun dried tomato pesto and Parmigiano Reggiano...it is a super delicious, quick and easy side dish.

Lightly grilling the fresh mozzarella and drizzling with infused olive oil took this Caprese salad over the top!

BOOM!

Best - pesto - ever!