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Flavorful Grilled Caesar Salad with Charred Romaine and Parmesan

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A smoky twist on the classic Caesar salad featuring grilled romaine lettuce, creamy Caesar dressing, and shaved parmesan cheese. Quick, easy, and perfect for backyard barbecues or weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large heads romaine lettuce, halved lengthwise
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup freshly shaved or grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup Caesar dressing (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional toppings: toasted breadcrumbs or croutons, anchovy fillets, crispy pancetta bits

Instructions

  1. Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, about 400°F (200°C).
  2. Slice each head of romaine lettuce in half lengthwise, keeping the core intact. Rinse and pat dry thoroughly.
  3. Brush the cut sides of the romaine halves generously with olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix minced garlic into the oil before brushing if using.
  4. Place the romaine cut side down on the grill. Cook for 2-3 minutes without moving to develop char marks.
  5. Flip carefully using tongs and grill the other side for 1-2 minutes just to warm through. The leaves should be slightly wilted but still hold some crunch.
  6. While the romaine grills, whisk together Caesar dressing with fresh lemon juice.
  7. Transfer the grilled romaine to a large bowl or platter. Drizzle the dressing evenly over the lettuce, then sprinkle with shaved parmesan cheese.
  8. Add optional toppings such as toasted breadcrumbs, croutons, anchovy fillets, or crispy pancetta bits.
  9. Gently toss the salad just before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra pepper or lemon if needed.

Notes

Use fresh, firm romaine lettuce and pat dry completely for best charring. Avoid over-oiling to prevent flare-ups. Grill at medium-high heat for perfect char marks without burning. Dress salad just before serving to keep leaves crisp. Optional toppings like toasted breadcrumbs add nice texture contrast. For dairy-free, substitute parmesan with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, skip croutons or use gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled Caesar salad, charred romaine, parmesan, smoky salad, easy salad recipe, backyard barbecue salad

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/flavorful-grilled-caesar-salad-recipe-easy-charred-romaine-parmesan/