grilled caeser salad

1/2 - 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 heads of Romaine Lettuce, split through the middle lengthwise

10 slices of baguette, toasted (see below for instructions) 

1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes

2 tablespoons capers, drained

1 large scallion sliced into diagonal pieces

Caesar Salad Dressing, recipe follows 

Red pepper flakes

Fleur de Sel 

Grill the Salad:

Heat a non-stick grill pan on medium-high heat and brush the hot pan with olive oil. Place 3 of the heads of Romaine, cut side down, on the pan and grill until blackened, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the lettuce from the heat to a platter, brush the pan with more olive oil and place the remaining 3 heads of lettuce cut side down. Grill for another 3-5 minutes then remove to the platter. 

Place the lemon halves on the grill, cut side down and grill for 3-5 minutes then remove to the platter. While the lemons are grilling, brush one side of the sliced baguettes with olive oil. Once the lemons are removed, grill the baguettes, olive oil side down until the bread is golden and slightly black in places. Turn off the heat and remove to a side plate.

Plate the salad: 

On a large serving platter place the grilled lettuce, grilled side facing up, and sprinkle with the cherry tomato halves and capers. Place the grilled baguette slices and lemons on the platter and drizzle everything with the Caesar Salad Dressing. Top with a sprinkling of the sliced scallions, red pepper flakes, and Fleur de Sel. Serve immediately. 

Caesar Salad Dressing:

1/2 cup good quality mayonnaise such as Hellmans or Just Mayo

2 anchovy filets

1 1/2 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon lemon juice 

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper 

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated garlic 

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Add the mayonnaise, anchovy filets, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, pepper and garlic to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until smooth. Add the parmesan cheese and pulse 3-5 times to combine. Transfer to a serving dish until ready to use.