Grilling lettuce is not uncommon nor is it something new but I was apprehensive about it at first because I thought cooking the lettuce like that might just make it taste like burnt paper. But I had a whole head of Romaine in the fridge and wanted to finish it quickly. I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome, when I was grilling the Romaine, it took on a new smell. Like toasted sesame seeds. I thought about the Caesar salad and decided to just do a simple dressing with olive oil and garlic. Sometimes simple is best.
This might not be the fanciest-looking dish ever but it was a no hassle, no frills recipe
I was even more surprised at the first bite. It still tastes like lettuce but nuttier. It’s as if grilling the vege made it took on a whole new flavour. A good flavour. It’s like a cross between Rocket and chicory. It really didn’t need anything else although I ate my lettuce with some leftover garlic bread. They act as croutons to my dish. 🙂
GRILLED ROMAINE RECIPE
Ingredients;
1 whole head of romaine lettuce, washed and halved
Salt
Black Pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing;
4 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 small clove garlic, grated
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Steps;
1. Heat your grill pan till it’s very hot, or you can do this over a charcoal barbecue. Place your lettuce, cut side down, on the pan and let it sear for 3 mins or till you get nice marks on it.
2. Do the same for the other side. You might need to press them down with a pair of tongs.
3. Whisk the oil, grated garlic and lemon juice together. Plate the lettuce. Drizzle the oil all over the lettuce.
4. Sprinkle salt and black pepper and finish with grated Parmesan cheese. Or you can choose Parmesan shavings.
Enjoy!
