Grilled Caesar Salad - Grilled romaine with Caesar dressing
- 1 head romaine lettuce, cut lengthwise into halves or quarters
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated
- 1 cup croutons
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
The Grilled Caesar Salad is a smoky twist on the classic Caesar salad, featuring romaine lettuce grilled to perfection, adding a charred and hearty flavor to the crisp greens. The salad is then tossed with a rich, homemade Caesar dressing, embellished with the iconic blend of garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan cheese. Crisp croutons, made from rustic bread grilled alongside the lettuce, and additional shavings of Parmesan cheese top off the dish to create a beautiful blend of textures. Ideal as an appetizer or light entrée, Grilled Caesar Salad is excellent for outdoor cookouts or as an impressive start to a gourmet dinner. Description by ChatGPT.
Welcome fellow food enthusiasts! Today, we're venturing into a bold twist on a classic favorite: the Caesar salad. But we're not just making any Caesar salad. We're elevating the flavors with a grilling technique that will infuse our romaine lettuce with a smoky, charred dimension that's simply irresistible. Follow along as we create Diva Q's Char-Grilled Caesar Salad Extravaganza, proudly featuring the culinary expertise from the Diva Q BBQ YouTube channel.
Ingredients:
- 3 romaine hearts, keeping the core intact
- 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 raw egg (optional, can be omitted)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon of anchovy paste
- Olive oil (as needed for emulsifying the dressing)
- Croutons (homemade or high-quality store-bought)
- Cooked bacon bits for garnish (optional)
Equipment:
- Grill (charcoal or gas)
- Food processor or mixing bowl and whisk
- Tongs
- Brush (for the olive oil)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6-8 minutes
Total Time: 21-23 minutes
Servings: 3-4
Instructions:
1. Begin by preheating your grill to a high temperature, around 500-600 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. While the grill heats up, let's make the dressing. In your food processor, blend together mayonnaise, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, grated parmesan, lemon juice, and a dash of salt and pepper. For a richer texture, add the raw egg, but feel free to omit if preferred.
3. Add the anchovy paste, which imparts umami depth to our dressing – it's a real game-changer.
4. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the dressing is well emulsified and creamy.
5. Slice romaine hearts in half lengthwise, leaving the core intact to hold the leaves together.
6. Lightly brush the cut side of the lettuce with olive oil, then place it directly on the grill, cut-side-down.
7. Close the grill lid and let the lettuce char for about 3-4 minutes, creating those sought-after grill marks.
8. Using tongs, flip the romaine hearts to char the other side for 2-3 more minutes. We are looking for slight wilting and char marks, not burnt lettuce.
9. Remove the grilled lettuce onto a platter and let it cool for 5-10 minutes.
10. Drizzle liberally with the homemade Caesar dressing, allowing it to seep into the crevices of the warm lettuce.
11. Sprinkle extra grated parmesan, scatter croutons, and, if desired, finish with bacon bits for an added crunch and flavor.
12. Serve immediately and enjoy the upgraded smoky sensation of your Char-Grilled Caesar Salad.
Cooking Tips:
- Keep the grill lid closed to retain the high heat necessary for charring.
- For a vegetarian option, simply omit the bacon and ensure the croutons are meat-free.
Experience the full flavor explosion of Diva Q's grilling magic in your own backyard with this salad. Don't forget, if you love transformative barbecue and grilling recipes like this one, subscribe to Diva Q BBQ's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@divaqbbq for more delectable dishes!
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