Grilled Caesar Salad
A refreshingly light and zesty side salad for your favourite camping meals! The slightly charred lettuce paired with the garlicy olive-oil based Caesar dressing packs a flavourful punch. Comes together in minutes!
I know what you might be thinking, “grilled - salad??”. Yes, it may seem odd to think at first, but it’s one of those “don’t knock it till you try it” kinda things. Grilling the romaine adds a delicious, slightly smoky char to what may typically be a more neutral flavoured lettuce. It really drives home the BBQ feel and taste.
The olive oil-based dressing was inspired by one of my favourite Caesar salads served at Famoso Pizzeria. It’s also extremely easy to whip up on the spot or to mix ahead of time and bring it out on your trip.
Pair this easy grilled salad with any of your favourite BBQ, pasta, or main camping dishes!
Ingredients
Keeping it real simple with this salad. What you’ll need is:
romaine heart
olive oil (for grilling and as the base for the dressing)
parmesan cheese, grated
lemon juice
garlic
salt and pepper, to taste
croutons, optimal
Instructions
Start by slicing the romaine heart down lengthwise and drizzle with a little olive oil on both sides.
Preheat the grill to medium heat and grill on both sides until just slightly charred but not too soft, about 2-3 minutes each side. You’re really just looking for a quick char while keeping the structure of the lettuce intact. TIP: do not overcook otherwise you’ll end up with very limp, wilted lettuce that won’t have much texture. Not the most appetizing.
Then mix your dressing by whisking together the olive oil, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, garlic, and salt and pepper to create a light, refreshing dressing for the lettuce. Drizzle on once lettuce is grilled and top with croutons if desired. Enjoy as a fun side dish to your favourite outdoor meals! TIP: mix dressing together at home and bring with on your camping trip to reduce the amount of prep time and the amount of separate ingredients you need to pack.