Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

I was on a quest. A grilled lettuce quest. For some reason I had a taste for it, and needed to find a recipe to match. Odd I had a taste for it because I had in fact never had grilled lettuce before, but had seen it on menus lately and wanted to try it. I also wanted Caesar dressing which I love, but the bottle stuff is blah. Since I started this blog I dont think I have ever purchased a bottle of dressing again. It's way to easy to make my own and then I can control the oil and the flavors and I have made some very delicious ones in the past year.

I ate this salad last week, but today is my baby boy's 3rd birthday. I wish I had some magical picture of this amazing cake I made for him, but baking cakes isnt my thing. Maybe someday. Not today. Today we bought it from a bakery and he was just as happy. He had already had his big birthday party with our entire family and a bunch of friends but this day feels more like a celebration for me then him. I can't believe my baby is 3.

without further chit chat

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

Adapted from Food Network--the Neely's

Ingredients

• 2 garlic cloves
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3/4 cup, plus 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus shaved Parmesan for serving
• 1 lbs. chicken tenderloins
• 3 heads romaine hearts, sliced lengthwise in 1/2
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat grill to medium heat.

In a blender, combine the garlic, lemon juice and Dijon mustard. Drizzle in 3/4 cup olive oil to emulsify. Add the Parmesan and pulse.

Take 2 tbsp. of dressing and toss with the chicken tenderloins to coat. Add to grill and cook each side for 5-7 min. Let rest for a few minutes then, Cut into chunks.

Gently toss the hearts of romaine in remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for 2 minutes, until grill marks appear and the romaine becomes wilted.

Remove the lettuce to a cutting board and cut into 2-inch wide strips. Place in a bowl and drizzle with the dressing. Toss to coat and serve warm. Garnish with the shaved Parmesan.

VERDICT

SO Delicious!! The flavor was incredible. With such few ingredients I am shocked at how delicious is was. Yes, I know grilled lettuce seems odd, but if you have never tried it you must. It kind of tastes like roasted veggies. Its has a slight charred flavor but it just adds to the flavor. Also having it be slightly wilted was not something I found to be a turn-off. The rib of lettuce still stayed crunchy. I didnt think I could have a caesar without getting into anchovies but this dressing was so full of great flavor I didnt even miss it, and in fact I kind of preferred it because something there is too much fishy flavor for me. This is going to be a summer classic for me!

Last years Dinner was Nanny's Goulash