The A.P. - Grilled Caesar Salad

This Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad adds a smokey twist to a classic dish by grilling romaine hearts over a charcoal grill. The slightly charred romaine paired with Ranch & Rifle’s The A.P. seasoning enhances the flavors, making each bite savory and delicious. This simple but elevated Caesar salad will be a hit!

Ingredients

• Romaine Hearts: 2 large, halved lengthwise (cut into quarters for 8 pieces total)

• Olive Oil: 3-4 tbsp

• Ranch & Rifle’s The A.P. Seasoning: 1 tbsp

• Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup, shaved or shredded

• Caesar Dressing: ½ cup (store-bought or homemade)

• Lemon Wedges: for serving

• Croutons: ½ cup (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Charcoal Grill

   • Light the charcoal and set up the grill for direct heat. Allow the coals to heat until they are white-hot and evenly spread across the bottom of the grill. This high, even heat is ideal for quickly grilling the romaine.

2. Prepare the Romaine

   • Brush each romaine quarter generously with olive oil, ensuring all sides are coated. This helps the romaine char nicely and prevents sticking.

   • Sprinkle Ranch & Rifle’s The A.P. seasoning evenly over the oiled romaine quarters, pressing it in slightly to ensure it sticks.

3. Grill the Romaine

   • Place the romaine quarters cut-side down on the grill grates over direct heat.

   • Grill for 1-2 minutes per side, just until grill marks appear and the edges begin to char slightly. Be careful not to overcook, as you want the romaine to retain some crunch. Flip carefully to avoid breaking the quarters.

4. Assemble the Salad

   • Remove the grilled romaine from the grill and arrange on a large serving platter or individual plates.

   • Drizzle each grilled romaine quarter with Caesar dressing and sprinkle with shaved Parmesan cheese. Add croutons for texture if desired.

5. Serve

   • Serve each portion with a lemon wedge for an optional fresh squeeze of lemon over the top, which brightens the flavors and enhances the charred, seasoned romaine.

Tips

• Watch the Grill: Romaine grills very quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid overly charring.

• Topping Ideas: Add a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper, extra Parmesan, or crispy bacon bits for more texture and flavor.

This Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad brings together smokey, savory, and fresh flavors in a unique take on a classic dish.

Enjoy!