Grilled Romaine Salad

While visiting my Mom two summers ago, she tells me we are having a grilled romaine salad. I looked at her and asked if she was crazy,you can't grill salad. Boy was I wrong. This salad is so delicious and a snap to make. We had it at our BBQ on Saturday. I did make a regular tossed salad for anyone who was not daring enough to try the grilled romaine but I ended up eating the tossed salad the next two days. No one ate it,everyone ate the grilled romaine salad.

Grilled Romaine Salad

Ingredients:



4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil


3/4 cup chopped red onion


1/2 pound bacon, chopped


1/2 cup balsamic vinegar


2 heads romaine lettuce, cut in 1/2 lengthwise (I use the hearts of romaine)


1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

First, make the dressing for the salad. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in  pan over high heat. Add the onions and bacon and cook until the bacon is nice and crispy.  Add the balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and stir to combine. Remove from heat and set aside in a bowl.
 

To grill the romaine make sure your grill is nice and hot. If you don't have romaine hearts take off the outer leaves. Brush  lettuce with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, place on the grill cut side down, and cook 2-3 minutes. It should have nice grill marks.
Put the lettuce halves, cut side up, on a platter or plate and drizzle the balsamic dressing over the lettuce. Sprinkle with blue cheese, enjoy!