June 13, 2019

Grilled Romaine with Creamy Caesar Dressing

Grilled Romaine with Creamy Caesar Dressing is a fresh twist on the classic Caesar Salad. Grilling the romaine hearts takes the Caesar salad experience to the next level. The lettuce remains crunchy despite being browned and the warmth of the leaves allows the creamy dressing to seep into the crevices. It’s hard to go back to Classic Caesar after tasting this version.

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Preparing the Romaine

I buy the organic, pre-packaged romaine hearts at Trader Joe’s. Buy the heaviest package in order to get the best romaine hearts. Cut each heart in half vertically and place cut-side up on a tray or large cutting board. (Do not trim the core, it’s what holds the leaves together.) Drizzle each half with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Broil or Grill Romaine

The lettuce can either be broiled or grilled. If broiling, place romaine halves cut-side up on a parchment or foil-lined broiler pan. Then place tray on top rack and broil for 3-4 minutes with the door slightly ajar, until lettuce begins to char in spots. (Make sure lettuce does not touch the coils when broiling.) If grilling, put romaine halves cut-side down directly on the grill grates at medium-high flame. Keep an eye on the lettuce because the leaves will brown within a couple of minutes.

Creamy Caesar Dressing

While the lettuce is cooling, prepare the Creamy Caesar Dressing (recipe below)

Grilled Romaine with Creamy Caesar Dressing

Place grilled romaine on a platter and spoon Creamy Caesar Dressing on top. Garnish with red onion slices, parmesan, and anchovies, if desired. To make this salad into a main course, add your favorite protein such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon.

Print Recipe

Grilled Romaine with Creamy Caesar Dressing

Prep Time20

Cook Time5

Total Time22

Course: Appetizer, Salad

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: anchovies, caesar salad, creamy caesar dressing, gluten free, parmesan, romaine hearts, Salad, Trader Joe’s

Servings: 6 servings

Author: GFchow @ gfchow.com

Ingredients

Grilled Romaine Hearts

3 large Romaine Hearts, halved vertically organic, if possible
2-3 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste

Caesar Mayonnaise Dressing

2 garlic cloves crushed with a garlic press or grated
1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
2-3 anchovy fillets cut into small bits and then crushed with the flat side of a knife
2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh squeezed
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard adjust to taste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce adjust to taste
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup parmesan grated
freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Grilled Romaine

Cut Romaine Hearts in half, vertically keeping the core in tact.
Drizzle olive oil over the lettuce and season with salt and pepper.
If broiling, place Romaine Hearts cut-side up on a tray lined with either parchment or foil. Preheat broiler on high and place tray on the highest rack possible but be sure the lettuce doesn't touch the broiler coils. Keep oven door ajar while broiling.
If grilling, preheat grill to medium-high/high and place Romaine halves cut-side down directly onto the grates.
Keep an eye on the lettuce while cooking because the lettuce will char quickly. Total cooking time is less than 5 minutes, depending on the heat of your grill and oven.
Place grilled romaine on a platter and spoon Creamy Caesar Dressing on top. Garnish with red onion slices, parmesan, and anchovies, if desired. To make this salad into a main course, add your favorite protein such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon.

Creamy Caesar Dressing

Crush the garlic cloves with a garlic press or grate them. Then using the flat side of a large knife combine the crushed garlic with the salt and anchovies.
Place garlic anchovy paste in a bowl and combine it with the remaining ingredients; lemon juice, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, and parmesan.
Mix the dressing until it is combined well.
Season with freshly ground black pepper.
Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for 2 weeks.

Notes

You want the edges of the lettuce leaves to be browned not burnt so keep an eye on them while they are cooking.

If you prefer, the grilled lettuce halves can be cut into strips and put into a salad bowl for serving.

To make this salad into a meal, add a protein such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon.

My good friend Lauren introduced me to grilling romaine and the Creamy Caesar Dressing recipe is from Epicurious.com.

If you like this recipe, you may also like these other GFchow recipes. Wedge Salad with Tahini-Yogurt Dressing, Roasted Pepper Cups with Cherry Tomatoes, Olives, and Ricotta, and Radishes with Anchovy Butter.

Gluten Free Disclaimer

The recipes you find here are considered by me to be gluten free. However, it is up to you to make sure the ingredients you use are gluten free. Whenever possible, I will list specific brands of ingredients that I use, but always be sure to check the labels yourself to verify the item is gluten free.