Grilled Caesar Salad
It's 4am on Monday morning and I'm still awake! Sooo yesterday I woke up and sat up and noticed a tingling sensation in my left arm and my neck was killing me. I actually told Curtis, I think I'm having a heart attack (okay I know I'm totally dramatic) and he just laughed at me. I told him something's wrong because I can't move my neck without it hurting. I tried going back to sleep and I woke up feeling way worse. It was time to go to the urgent care clinic. The whole time, Curtis thought I was being totally dramatic and I felt bad for him because he has been battling a cold.
Well, I wasn't too dramatic because the doctor said I pinched a nerve in my neck and he gave me some steroids and sent me on my way. Thank goodness I didn't wait because while it's still painful, it's a little bit better because of the meds (but I can't sleep because of them, go figure). Hot showers and heat compresses are helping too…which leads me to this salad, I'm so glad I photographed it on Friday, I'm not sure I could have tried to photograph it yesterday or today. Haha. Most embarrassing thing or dumb thing about this whole situation? I just moved or just got of bed and this started? The doctor and the nurses asked if I was injured or in a car accident…nope, I did nothing and I pinched a nerve. So Embarrassing.
Grilled salad – is it actually good? I love it. The lettuce is a little wilty but who cares, it tastes so good! I first tried grilled salad at my old company I used to work for. We used to do these Monday lunches, everyone was split into teams and the teams took turns cooking lunches for the rest of the group. It was really fun…I tried a lot of fun food and recipes from my co-workers back then. This was all before I had a food blog. I learned all about grilled salad from my old co-worker, Mike, his group made this a couple of times and it was so easy. They served it with grilled chicken even!
I recently received a Blendtec blender from the amazing folks at Blendtec and I was so excited. I have been making milkshakes, smoothies, drinks and this Caesar salad. It's so easy to use and clean up is so easy.
When I opened the box, Curtis actually made fun of how it looked and I just made a face at him. Who cares how it looks, if it works, it's all good. This is definitely my appliance and it has earned a place on my crowded kitchen counter. There are only three appliances that get to sit out on my counterspace at all times (because it's a little kitchen!) and this is one of them.
I love this blender and I highly recommend it. I love love how clean up is so easy, just add soap and water to the blender and blend.
I made the caesar dressing that's in Blendtec's cookbook that I received and it says it tastes even better the next day after sitting in the fridge overnight. I thought the dressing was tasty either way.
I grilled my salad on my favorite grill pan – to show you that you can do this inside even in the winter!
Here's the salad right after I grilled it and right before it got a hit of dressing and parmesan cheese!
Is it okay to admit that I ate the entire salad all by myself? This is my new favorite caesar dressing and grilling salad even inside is so easy – this is going to become my go to quick lunch or the perfect side salad for a weeknight dinner even!
And PS look out for a giveaway, I'm giving one of these Blendtecs away!
Yield: Serves 2-3 / Dressing makes 2 cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
I made the dressing for this salad with my Blendtec and let it sit in the fridge overnight. Putting together the salad just takes a few minutes when you make the dressing ahead of time! To grill the salad, use your gas grill outside or a grill pan inside. The salad just takes a few minutes to grill and serve immediately!
Grilled Caesar Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
Caesar Dressing
1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup water
2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon Worchestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large egg yolk
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 heart of romaine lettuce, rinsed and cut in half lengthwise
salt & pepper
olive oil (optional)
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Directions:
Caesar Dressing
Add ingredients to Blendtec jar in order listed and secure lid. Select "Dressing" and serve. The dressing tastes best when you refrigerate it overnight in a sealed container - the ingredients are allowed to marry together.
How to Grill Salad
If using a gas grill, turn on the gas and turn the heat to high. Let the grill heat up for at least 10 minutes. If using a grill pan inside, heat grill pan on medium to medium high for 3 to 5 minutes.
Salt and pepper the insides of your romaine lettuce halves. Sprinkle olive oil on the halves, if you wish. Add to hot grill or grill pan and cook for about 1 to 3 minutes tops. Flip to grill the other side for 1 to 2 minutes and you're done. Serve immediately with caesar dressing and parmesan cheese on top.
*Store the dressing in the refrigerator for about a week. If serving as a side salad, one whole heart can serve up to 4 or 5 people. For an entire meal, it serves 1 to 2 people and try grilling some chicken (or use leftovers from my chicken slow cooker recipe) to serve with it too!
*If you're worried about the raw egg, be sure to use pasteurized eggs.
Caesar Dressing from Blendtec's Fresh Blends cookbook.
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Disclosure: I received a Blendtec blender for the purpose of review. All opinions are always my own and I did include at least one affiliate link in this post.
Ooh, hope you’re feeling better! A pinched nerve is nooooo fun. But you know what is fun? This awesome grilled caesar. YUM!
DEFINITELY am making this!
So sorry to hear about your pinched nerve! Glad that you’re doing better with meds though.
Oh and this salad is amazing. I love how unique it is, and it’s wrapped-up goodness.
I’ve never tried a grilled salad before, but this looks amazing enough to change that…
I love my blendtec too. That sucker has it’s own place on my counter top even though there’s barely enough room…
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I can’t have cheese or oils right now, but man this looks SO good! My daughter loves Cesar salad too, I will have to make this for her soon!
This looks amazing and your photographs are beautiful!
Posted a blog and linked to your site, great dressing. Thanks
We tried grilling romaine for the first time last summer and I absolutely love it. Yours looks gorgeous! I definitely need to try this version.
That looks so good! I never would have thought of that.
Yummy!
yummmmy!
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I hope your neck is all better by now! I’ve never thought of grilling a salad before!
Very creative and inspiring recipe, grilled lettuce is completely new to me. Yesterday was the first time I’ve heard about roasted lettuce, so I made it for dinner and it was delicious. Guess this kind of salads will be my favorite, the taste is fabulous and unique. Would recommend it to every salad hater!
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Just made this on charcoal (mesquite) grill. Turned out awesome!
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Your pinched nerve is probably from too much computer use! I had the same thing – went for acupuncture which helped but I neede to ease up on my blogging. Good luck!
This is a really nice dressing, although next time I will sub a quarter of the oil for a whole egg mayo. I thought the topping was a bit lean, so added some crumbled garlic croutons and fresh cooked crispy bacon chopped as well. It was delicious, and more like a traditional caesar salad.
I am sorry you had such a hard time with your neck. You were right to go to the ER, as that IS a major symptom of an impending heart attack. The pinched nerve was bad enough. I was just brushing my hair one morning when the same happened to me. Excruciating pain and unable to use it. I was subsequently not able to use it for 4 months, carrying a useless arm around at shoulder height, and pain killers barely worked. I had been scheduled for surgery, but had to wait on the public system. This ended up being a good thing, as after 4 months, the pain went, and my mobility came back, just as quickly as it started. You have NO reason to feel embarrassed. Tell Curtis to get a grip, and stop laughing at you, you were right to do what you did, and that pain is no laughing matter, I KNOW! Men are shocking patients, but really he was so terribly insensitive. He wants to hope that one day you don’t die, while he is laughing at you, for being very scared of unusual pain, and dangerous symptoms. But of course we all know that a “cold” is far worse than anything, right?? (sarcasm intended lol)
Anyway, thanks for this lovely recipe. 😉
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Fantastic recipe! My family tried it out and we all love it! We’ll definitely be making this one again.
Hey has anyone grilled the romaine and made this for next day (dressing on side) and turn out ok? I’m kinda wantin to make some for co workers to bring for lunch the next day