Grilled Caesar Romaine Wedges

These romaine wedges were on the grill for a total of about 4 minutes -- that counts for barbecue month, right? I don't have a great story for these, just that I'm a little pissed I haven't tried them till now, that's how delicious and easy they were. I think this is the first time the meat became a "side" to the salad in my house...

Grilled Caesar Romaine Wedges

1/2 cup Caesar salad dressing
2 heads romaine lettuce, cleaned
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small red onion, peeled and coarsely chopped
2 tbsp cider vinegar
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
3 tbsp French fried onions (optional)
3 tbsp bacon bits (optional)
Sea salt and pepper

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove loose outer leaves from each head of lettuce. Cut each lettuce head in half lengthwise. Brush cut sides with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.

In a small bowl, combine onions and vinegar and set aside.

Grill lettuce cut side down, for about 2 minutes or until just charred. Turn lettuce and grill 2-3 more minutes (watch lettuce carefully as it may char quickly, depending upon temperature of grill).

Drain onions, arrange lettuce on plates. Drizzle with salad dressing and top with onions and Parmesan cheese. Add French fried onions (or croutons) and bacon bits for a little crunch and added flavor.

Beautiful wedges split in half and brushed with olive oil and sea salt.

Stay tuned for  another  recipe using barbecue chicken tender leftovers.

Kelly and his very hungry friend, Mike, who stayed with us for the weekend. After climbing Mt. Rainier, Mike was happy to eat his weight in food just about every night. Kelly spent four months with this guy (and his wife) about 11 years ago climbing in New Zealand and Thailand, living out of a small car, camping on beaches and eating rice and beans. When Mike stayed with us last weekend, he would disappear for the entire morning to go running. After he left us, he went back to Rainier to "run up it" and then the next day he was going to pick up his brother from the airport to do it all over again. That would be three climbs of Mt. Rainier in less than a week, people. I guess I won't complain this week about going to Zumba...

Saucy yummy grilled Caesar wedge. Mike ate two, of course.