Grilled Romaine with Caramelized Onion Noodles, Blue Cheese and Greek Yogurt Balsamic Dressing

I’ve been meaning to grill romaine since the early summer, when I spotted it in...

Grilled Romaine with Caramelized Onion Noodles, Blue Cheese and Greek Yogurt Balsamic Dressing

I’ve been meaning to grill romaine since the early summer, when I spotted it in Bon Appetit mag. Why hadn’t I attempted grilling romaine yet?

Thinking out of the box with food is the key ingredient to staying on a healthy diet. Romaine, typically, is blah. It’s got a lovely crunch, but it’s not as highly touted as spinach or kale, because it’s not as rich in vitamins and other nutrients. Plus, it doesn’t have as much flavor.

But, how much can you really eat spinach and kale? Romaine should be loved too!

Inspiralized

Now, by grilling romaine, we infuse the lettuce with healthy fats from olive oil and top it with deliciousness, and we’ve transformed boring ‘ole romaine into a magnificent salad that tastes and looks gourmet.

There are several parts to this dish that make it spectacular. Let’s start with the spiralized onions (I mean, can you blame me?) By spiralizing the onions, they are longer and therefore, more substantial. Typically, when you chop onions, they’re sliced and unexciting. Who likes slicing onions anyway?

Grilled Romaine with Caramelized Onion Noodles, Blue Cheese and Greek Yogurt Balsamic Dressing

Then, there’s the Greek yogurt balsamic dressing. I actually made a huge batch of this and saved some in the refrigerator and used it for a few salads throughout the week. If nothing else, make this dressing and ditch the recipe – it’s going to be one of your go-tos, I promise! It’s tangy, balsamic-y, and high in healthy protein. Typically, creamy balsamics are made using mayonnaise (ick!) This uses Greek yogurt instead. If you like a little more tang, add in another teaspoon of Dijon mustard!

Now, the blue cheese gives a robust flavor, another source of protein and a creaminess to this salad that completes the dish. However, if you’re a blue cheese hater, you can ditch the cheese or substitute in some shaved parmesan cheese or even use feta.

Grilled Romaine with Caramelized Onion Noodles, Blue Cheese and Greek Yogurt Balsamic Dressing

Let’s just say that when you dig your fork and knife into this “salad” (which, by the way – how cool is the presentation?), your bite will have so many textures, flavors and warmth that you won’t even realize you’re eating mundane romaine. Mundane romaine – it rhymes!

Warmed lettuce also has an elegant taste and fixes that “I don’t want to eat another salad” issue. I’ve been there.

Have you ever tried grilled romaine? Or grilled lettuces in general?

Nutritional Information & Recipe

Inspiralized

Grilled Romaine with Caramelized Onion Noodles, Blue Cheese and Greek Yogurt Balsamic Dressing

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 2 romaine lettuce heads rinsed, ends chopped off and cut in half lengthwise
  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 onion peeled, Blade A
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • For the dressing:
  • ¼ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high. Place half the olive oil in a bowl and while the grill is heating, brush the cut sides of the romaine lettuce with the olive oil. Season the cut side generously with pepper and lightly with salt.
  • Once grill pan is heated, place the sliced side down and let cook for about 5 minutes. Periodically, put medium pressure with a spatula on top to ensure the lettuce cooks. Repeat until all lettuce halves are cooked. Set aside.
  • After two lettuce halves have cooked, in another skillet, add in the rest of the olive oil. Once oil heats, add in the onion noodles and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until caramelized and lightly browned.
  • Top the grilled lettuce with onions and blue cheese and drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.

Grilled Romaine with Caramelized Onion Noodles, Blue Cheese and Greek Yogurt Balsamic Dressing

Grilled Romaine with Caramelized Onion Noodles, Blue Cheese and Greek Yogurt Balsamic Dressing

Grilled Romaine with Caramelized Onion Noodles, Blue Cheese and Greek Yogurt Balsamic Dressing

with love, Ali

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comments

  • Ooooohhh yes I will be making this one for sure!
  • Sounds delicious. Question: Can you spiralize beets and sweet potatoes and freeze them to be cooked at a later date?
      • I actually griddle/fry with baby gem lettuce quite a lot and it's fantastic. Don't know if it has the same name in the states as here in Scotland, but that it's name here. Actually think it better than the romaine lettuce.
      • Thank you so much for your prompt and helpful reply!
  • Mmm looks so scrum-didly-umptious! I'd have to add some nuts, walnuts maybe or pine nuts even!
  • Soooo good. As soon as I got the email I made this for my mum and myself for lunch and we both LOVED it :)
  • I love grilled romaine, I will for sure try this. I usually just top with bacon bits and top with dresssing. This looks delicious.
  • Mundane romaine is definitely a pet peeve of mine! I bet I'd love it grilled, though. All that smokiness and crispy crunchiness. Mmm.
  • Yummy, I'll definitely try this one. And while we're on the subject of romaine lettuce, I've recently discovered a great trick to make endless supplies of this veggy. Check it out - it's real magic http://www.listonic.com/protips/get/ztfzrfxqxz
  • So cool! Any thoughts on BBQing it? Rather than grilling in a pan I mean. Thinking it might give it that smoky BBQ flavour. Also- LOVE your site! Going to make this, cold kimchi cucumber noodles and chicken breast for dinner.
    • Yes, of course you can! That would add another dimension of flavor, for sure! I use a grill pan because many don't have easy access to a grill. Let me know how your dinner turns out!
  • FABULOUS! Made it today. I reduced balsamic and used sugar free honey to reduce carbs- it was still wonderful! Thanks for your great recipes!!!
  • Great recipe! Thanks for sharing. Grilled the romaine and some marinated chicken breast. Plus cooked the onions in a cast iron skillet on the grill at the same time. Skipped the cheese as chicken added a bit of tang & texture. def a keeper
  • This sounds lovely. Going to give this a go. thanks for sharing this recipe. Simon