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Grilled Garden Romaine
A grilled salad recipe? Yes, today is that day. Let’s be real for a second. We’ve all been there – it’s 6 PM on a Wednesday, and you’re standing in front of the fridge, wearing your “I’d rather be napping” t-shirt. The kids are arguing, and you swear you can hear your dog plotting his next shoe-eating adventure. Maybe, like me, school is just starting and you’re already out of easy weeknight meal ideas.
You open the fridge, hoping for divine inspiration. And there, nestled between last week’s takeout containers and that mysterious jar that might have once been pickles, sits a pristine head of romaine lettuce. Next to it, a bottle of your partner’s fancy olive oil that they think you don’t know about (sorry, honey, if you’re reading this).
That’s when it hits you: Why not grill this lettuce? I mean, we grill everything else, right? Corn, pineapple, even pizza! So why not lettuce? It’s either that or admit defeat and order takeout for the third time this week. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Pizza is life, especially during these back to school days!)
The Magic of Grilled Romaine
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “A grilled lettuce salad recipe? Has she finally lost it?” Well, maybe. But between juggling work, a kid, and trying to remember if I fed the dog this morning, I’d say a little culinary madness is par for the course. Plus, this isn’t new, I’ve had grilled romaine salad out to eat plenty of times, it’s always a hit for me!
So, back to the story, there I was, standing in front of my grill, Romaine in one hand, olive oil in the other, feeling like some sort of suburban warrior princess. I half expected Gordon Ramsay to pop out from behind the bushes and start yelling about how I was desecrating perfectly good produce.
But let me tell you, folks, the moment that lettuce hit the grill, it was magic. The smell was incredible – like summer and fancy restaurants had a baby. And when I took that first bite? Mind. Blown.
The Art of Grilling Lettuce
Now, I’m no grill master. My previous attempts at outdoor cooking have resulted in everything from charcoal briquettes masquerading as burgers to a small grease fire that had the neighbors placing bets on how long it would take for the fire department to show up. But grilling lettuce? It’s so easy, even I couldn’t mess it up.
The key is to not overthink it. You’re not performing surgery here; you’re just introducing your lettuce to some heat. A little olive oil, a hot grill, and a few minutes on each side, and voila! You’ve got yourself a salad that’s part fancy restaurant, part backyard BBQ, and 100% delicious.
And let’s talk about that transformation for a second. The lettuce gets all warm and slightly charred on the outside, but the inside stays crisp and fresh. It’s like the lettuce equivalent of a perfectly toasted marshmallow. Plus, the grill marks make it look super fancy, like you actually know what you’re doing in the kitchen. (Fake it ’til you make it, right?)
Want to make it? Here’s our recipe.
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Grilled Garden Romaine
When you’re already grilling, get some Romaine ready for the grill. You’ll love the hearty yet light flavor of Grilled Garden Romaine to go with your main dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Sides & Sauces
Ingredients
- 2 Romaine hearts, cleaned, blotted dry, and cut in half lengthwise
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup Greek Yogurt
- 4 teaspoons minced chives
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Trim the stem of the lettuce to remove any brown parts.
- Brush the cut side of the Romaine halves with olive and grill over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes, leaving the grill lid up.
- Brush the backs of the Romaine halves with olive oil, turn over, and grill for another 3 to 4 minutes.
- Remove from grill when done and put on a serving platter, cut side up.
- While Romaine is grilling, whisk buttermilk, yogurt, chives, lemon juice, and salt and pepper in a small bowl until ingredients are fully blended.
- Drizzle sauce over the cut sides of the Romaine. Or, chop, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and toss.
Dress It Up
Now, here’s where it gets fun. Once you’ve mastered the art of not burning lettuce (trust me, it’s easier than it sounds), you can get creative with the toppings. I’m talking a drizzle of tangy dressing, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese… go for it.
My go-to dressing is a quick mix of Greek yogurt, buttermilk, lemon juice, and herbs. It’s creamy, it’s zesty, and it makes me feel like I’m eating something way fancier than grilled leaves. Plus, it’s so good that you might be tempted to drink it. (Pro tip: Don’t. Save some for the salad.)
Customization Station
The best part about this grilled Romaine situation? It’s like a blank canvas for your culinary creativity. Or, if you’re like me, a place to use up whatever random ingredients you have lying around.
Got some cherry tomatoes that are on their last legs? Throw ’em on! A lone avocado that’s just ripe? Slice it up and add it to the mix. Leftover grilled chicken from yesterday? Chop it up and sprinkle it on top.
The possibilities are endless. Well, not endless. Please don’t add gummy bears or anything weird like that. But you get the idea.
Serving Suggestions and Leftovers
This salad is pretty fantastic on its own, but if you want to get fancy, pair it with a nice steak or grilled chicken. Or, if you’re like me and barely have the energy to change out of your pajamas some days, just eat it straight off the serving platter. No judgment here!
Got leftovers? First of all, congratulations on your self-control. Secondly, chop it up and toss it into a wrap for lunch the next day. You can also chop up any leftover grilled Romaine and toss it into a regular salad for some smoky flavor. Or, get really wild and use it as a topping for your next homemade pizza. Grilled Caesar Salad Pizza, anyone?
The Grilled Romaine Revolution
So there you have it, folks. Grilled Garden Romaine: The salad recipe that’ll make you feel like a Michelin-star chef, even if your usual culinary repertoire consists of microwaved burritos and cereal for dinner.
It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s so delicious that your kids might actually eat their vegetables without you having to bribe them. (No promises, though. Kids are weird.)
Look, I get it. Grilling lettuce sounds weird. But so did putting pineapple on pizza, and look how that turned out! (Don’t @ me, Hawaiian pizza haters.)
So next time you’re staring into the abyss of your fridge, wondering how you’re going to feed your family something that isn’t takeout or cereal, give this Grilled Garden Romaine a shot. Who knows? It might just become your new go-to meal.
And remember, if all else fails, there’s always takeout. But between you and me? I think you’ve got this.
And if you’re interested in learning more about growing lettuce, it’s as easy as BLT. A cool-season annual, this leafy crop grows readily from seed, and you can sow seeds every few weeks to have a season full of salad! With our Lettuce Gardening Guide, you get all the details that go into growing and harvesting delicious, leafy lettuce. Get recipes that go beyond the salad bowl and see what’s possible when you grow your own lettuce. Get it all in our Lettuce Gardening Guide right now!
Stay hungry, my friends! And if you try this grilled salad recipe, let me know what you think in the comments.
