Guest Post by Gillian Nadel
When I first mentioned to my friends that I was making Grilled Caesar Salad, they looked at my like I had two heads.
“Grilled? I like my lettuce cold, thank you” and “charred lettuce? Yeah right, sounds good.”
O ye of little faith! Have I ever fed you something you didn’t like? I asked.
Oh wait. Don’t answer that. I remember that “chicken stew” in ’08, too.
I’ve ordered this dish a number of times at restaurants (when do I ever turn down a Caesar salad?) and have yet to be let down. So I thought it was time to test it out myself.
This twist on the classic salad keeps all of the beloved flavors in tact. The lettuce, which is grilled for about 30 seconds per side, is slightly wilted, ramping up the flavor of the romaine. I paired this with some grilled garlic toasts and topped the salad with fresh shredded Parmesan.
The salad made a beautiful and fresh side dish. I love how the green of the romaine – an otherwise drab lettuce – pops once it’s grilled (Can you tell that I’m in the arts?). If you top this salad with a piece of chicken or steak and you have yourself a well-rounded entree.
Proof that this grilling your salad wows? Even the naysayers asked for seconds…
Grilled Caesar Salad
Adapted from The Food Network
What You’ll Need:
4 anchovy fillets (optional)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for garnish
Freshly ground black pepper
2 heads romaine lettuce
1 Baguette, sliced.
1 clove garlic, mashed and mixed with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper
How-To:
Mix first seven ingredients in a food processor. Set aside.
Lightly coat lettuce with olive oil, salt and pepper. Brush sliced baguette with olive oil and garlic mixture. Top with freshly shredded Parmesan.
Grill bread until crisp. Grill romaine for about 30 seconds on each side.
Divide the lettuce, keeping leaves whole, among 5 plates. Drizzle with dressing and top with freshly grated Parmesan and grilled bread slices. Serves 2-3.
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{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
Yum! There is a restaurant in hilton head sc that makkes an awesome grilled caesaer! Ive alwYs wanted to try it at home!!
i never thought about charring the lettuce leaves! what a crispy and delish idea!
I have had it made for me, so like you it is time I tried it myself!
You know, I actually think that one of the things I dislike about lettuce is the fact that it’s cold! So I’m sure I would love this dish!
I admit I’ve been scared to grill romaine because I’ve been afraid it will look, well, ugly. (I know …. ) Thanks for dispelling that myth of mine! We have a little more time in Boston with the grill and I plan on putting mine to good use!
I was skeptical at first, but by the time I got to the end of the post, I became a believer.
All summer long I said, I will make grilled salad. I never did. This just reminded me. Will need to do it before the snow falls!
Great guest post! Looks delicious! My husband is the griller and I think he would give me a crazy look if I asked him to grill lettuce. Can’t wait to try this!
I never would have thought to grill salad, but now I am very intrigued by it! I love caesar salad
Yum! I have never thought about making a grilled cesar salad but this looks so simple and delicious. Better bookmark this before it get too cold to grill out
i saw this in cooking light – im still scared though! grilled lettuce?!
A very tasty twist on a classic salad!
I have never even heard of this before! I trust your judgement though and I am now very curious and want to give it a go. Great pics
I like about anything grilled so I’m game. Looks amazing!
Grilled romaine is one of my easy go to dishes when I am in a hurry. I am a huge Caesar salad fan but I usually grill hearts of romaine halves and then top it with fresh made blue cheese dressing. It always get a raised eyebrow and then they polish it off!
I looooooooooooooooooooooove grilled romaine lettuce, so delicious!
DeeeVINE. My face craves this.
I had a grilled kale Caesar in Idaho last year and haven’t stopped thinking about it! Your pic just gave me the push to make it!! Thanks Maris!
MMM. I think Spilled Milk just tried this out too. I need to get on board with the grilled caesar thing. I do love me a caesar salad!
Great guest post! Grilling romaine gives it such a distinct flavor, I love it. Speaking of which, I have some romaine sitting in the fridge that I need to use soon. Looks like this just might be the perfect solution!
I love caesar salads, and yes, grilled please!! For me, anchovies are never optional hehe. Nice guest post!
oh what a different way to make a salad, love it.
I’ve never tried grilled but I heard its nice
We grilled romaine this summer, too, but we just chopped the head in half and grilled it that way instead of separating the leaves. it was SO good!!
I love grilled Romaine and it’s been a while since i did it. May be I should do it sometime soon while it’s still warm and nice.
I love that you grilled the lettuce – how nice. It looks delicious….
Wow, this looks amazing!! I’d never thought of grilled lettuce, but now I’m intrigued!
<3 <3
Yep, you just took Caesar salad to a whole new level! Love the grilled aspect and that dressing? AMAZING
I’ve grilled Romaine Lettuce before and tastes amazing. I’ll have to try it with Ceasar dressing to spice up my version!
I have to admit I’ve wondered about all the hype around grilling lettuce. After this post though I’ll have to give it a try.
I adore grilled romaine. Grilling it really does add a great flavor. It sounds as though you changed your friends’ minds very quickly.
I absolutely love grilled Romaine. This salad looks so melty, charred and delicious. Simple meals like these are always the best.
I’ve been wanting to try grilled lettuce for awhile now. This looks like a great way to try it. Love the presentation too!
Grilled salad? Sign me up please! This looks lovely. Now I need a grill. Well I’ve always needed a grill. Sigh. Someday
Grilled caesar salad? I must give it a try!
I’m a salad dressing wuss. I’ll order a Caesar salad at a restaurant and ask for ranch dressing to be subbed in. Maybe I can still grill it and enjoy it with ranch?
I love the new prep technique!
What a delicious twist on the classic caesar salad – lovelovelove this idea! Now… I need a grill!
When you consider that some people grill chicken carcasses seated on beer cans, grilling romaine doesn’t seem all that strange. Awesome post.
I must admit, I’ve grilled a lot of veggies, but never romaine lettuce. Definitely worth a try!
Oh, I think you’ve just made an already delicious salad even better! Love the idea of grilled romaine~and so pretty, too~
Been wanting to try to do this for a couple of years now. I’d say I’d better get around to it before all of summer’s warmth is gone. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve never tried grilling romaine, but will have to give this a shot!
Hi Gillian, WOW…this looks really amazing. Thanks for the great recipe. Makes me want to go and fire up our grill. Have a good rest of the weekend, and Maris, hope you are doing well!!!
I have never heard of grilling lettuce before, but I can see how it would turn the typical flavors of the salad on its head.
I tried this recently after having a grilled Caesar at a restaurant. Delicious!
A grilled salad? WHO KNEW!! What a fabulous idea!!
I had this last winter at a restaurant in Atlanta. I was so good! Yours looks good, too!