Grilled Romaine

Grilled Romaine

If you follow my blog you know by now that I have quite the thing for grilling.  There is nothing I won’t grill.  I’ve grilled pizza (not on a stone but directly on the grate) and I’ve grilled whole chickens (stuffed with a beer can and flat with bricks on top).  Seafood, check. Fruit, yep.  Burgers, hot dogs, steak, sausage, veggies, kabobs.  Even dessert can be grilled (grilled chocolate banana quesadillas).   I began to wonder if there is anything (besides maybe ice cream) that can’t be grilled.

A few years ago I was reading one of my favorite barbecue message boards and I came across a thread that talked about grilled romaine lettuce.  Since this was new to me, the hamster in my little head got to running and I knew that I had to give it a shot.  I had no idea how it would turn out but the guy who wrote about it swore I would love it if I gave it a try.

It was so simple and the results were so unique and tasty that it has become a grilling staple pretty much anytime the family wants a nice vegetable to go with our meal.  The family likes it best paired with the simplicity of a good steak.  One of my friends on Facebook recently posted about how much she loved it, so I thought I’d put together a quick blog entry so others who may not know about this can give it a try.

It takes minutes and its very light — the perfect summertime side dish.

Ingredients:

Romaine

• 2 whole stalks of romaine lettuce
• Olive Oil
• Kosher Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• Salad Dressing of your choice (I recommend either caesar, blue cheese or homemade balsamic vinaigrette)

Cut each stalk lengthwise down the middle to cut in half.  You will now have 4 halved stalks.

Cut in Half – you know have 4 servings

DO NOT cut off the end of the stalk as this helps keep the lettuce together.

Brush the top with olive oil.  Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.

Grill face down (the side you oiled) over direct heat until the lettuce starts to char slightly and begins to wilt.  This will take just a few minutes depending on how hot your grill is.  Turn and grill for another 1-2 minutes.

On the Grill

Remove from grill and lightly top with your favorite dressing.

Grilled Romaine with Ceasar Dressing