Grilled Romaine Salad with Corn, Tomatoes, and Tahini

By Ashley Jean March 22, 2023 24 mins read 137 Views

Grilled romaine lettuce may seem unlikely to be used in a salad. Grilling romaine lettuce adds a subtle, charred flavor to your summer salad. This grilled salad recipe can be served family-style with lots of sweet tomatoes, charred sweet corn, and creamy tahini.

Growing up, I was taught to eat Mediterranean Diet. Fresh vegetables and vibrant salads are always available. Although Grilled Romaine Salsa is not specifically Mediterranean, it reflects the core principles of the Mediterranean way. It is made with whole, fresh vegetables and has enough flavor to share.

The grilled romaine retains its crunch, but the salad has a subtle char that gives it a grown-up look. Although you can use any type of dressing, I prefer tahini to olive oil. So I end this salad with a vegan Tahini Sauce. This salad is unique and has a slight nutty taste that delights my guests. You can make summer produce a standout side dish with a little effort.

These layers of flavor and texture are a great addition to summer barbecues. A pitcher of 5-Minute Watermelon Sangrias will help you heat up the grill. Serve this salad with a simple main like Mediterranean Grilled Swordfish.

How to Make Grilled Romaine Salad

The majority of the ingredients needed to make this Grilled Romaine Salad can be found in your local grocery store. To enhance the flavor, I added some Mediterranean spices. These spices are available in our shop and specialty stores. You can also substitute with what you already have.

Homemade Tahini Sauce This salad is richer and more savory with the addition of a creamy vegan tahini dressing. This sauce is great for dressings and dips. It contains garlic, salt and citrus as well as parsley and tahini.
Corn on a cob:Fresh, firm corn is heavy. Also, look out for bright green husks or golden silk (the hair-like fibers at its top).
Romaine hearts The best type of romaine is firm and bright green. It also smells fresh.
Extra-virgin olive oil: For this salad, I prefer a mildly spicy olive oil like our Greek Private Reserve EVOOO. Any high-quality extra-virgin olive oil can be used.
Flavormakers:Seasonings can be made with salt, parsley or lemon and Aleppo for those who like heat. Sumac can be substituted for salt, which is a tart Mediterranean spice with a little lemon zest. Red pepper flakes can be substituted for the Aleppo pepper. You can also leave them both out.
Grape tomatoes You can substitute grape tomatoes for cherry, heirloom or Roma tomatoes by cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
Green onions Also known as scallions or green onions, green onions taste their best in the spring and summer months.

How To Make Grilled Romaine Salad

Although it may sound strange to grill lettuce, it can bring out its tenderness and enhance its natural flavor. It also imparts a subtle smokiness.

Start the grilling: Lightly oil the grates of your grill, griddle or pan, and heat on high
Make the Tahini Sauce: To make the dressing looser, add a splash of water. Mix in water until you get the desired consistency.
Grill the corn. When the grill is heated, grill 2-3 ears of husked popcorn. Turn the corn until it is nicely charred on all sides, approximately 10 minutes. Set aside.
Grill the lettuce. Brush two hearts of halved Romaine lettuce with extra virgin oil on both sides. Grill each side for 3 minutes or until the lettuce is softened and charred. Transfer to a large platter and close the grill.
Cut the corn. Using a sharp knife, take the kernels off the cob in a large bowl.
Combine the salad: Add 2 cups halved grape tomatoes and 2 sliced green onions to the bowl. Add 1 teaspoon sumac, 1 tablespoon Aleppo (if you use), and 1/2 lemon juice. Toss with olive oil and season with salt.
Place the grilled corn and tomato mixture on top of your grilled lettuce. Use tahini sauce to drizzle. Serve immediately with remaining tahini sauce.

How to serve Grilled Romaine Salad

This salad tastes best when it is warm. It's also flavorful and tasty enough to be a top choice. Serve as a vegan main dish. You can also add a quick main dish like Oven Baked Salmon in Foil.

Serve it with other grilled entrees if you are comfortable multitasking at the grill. Grilled Swordfish served with a Mediterranean-style marinade, or just-spicy Grilled Harissa Chicken.

We love other summer salad recipes

Tabouli Salad Recipe (Tabbouleh)
Mediterranean Watermelon Salad Recipe
Panzanella Salad (Bread and Tomato Salad) Recipe
Fresh Grilled Corn Salad Recipe

View all Mediterranean Recipes .

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Grilled Romaine Salad With Corn, Tomatoes and Tahini

This beautiful summer salad is made with grilled romaine lettuce, which has just the right amount char and crisp edges. It's topped with fresh grape tomatoes, blistered corn and green onions. For the perfect finishing touch, make sure to prepare your Tahini Sauce! Use this as a side dish at your next barbecue, or add grilled protein to make it a complete meal.

Course Salad

Cuisine Mediterranean

Prep time 10 minutes

Cook Time 16 Minutes

Total time 26 minutes

Servings Serves at least 4

Calories 29.5 29.5 33.3 kcal

Author Suzy Kardsheh

Ingredients

Homemade Tahini Sauce
2 to3 ears corned on the cob, husked
3 heart romaine lettuce; trimmed, halved in length
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kosher salt
10 ounces grape tomatoes (2 cups), halved
2 green onions trimmed (both white parts and green portions)
1/2 bunch parsley, leaves chopped
1 teaspoon sumac (optional)
1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper (optional)
1/2 lemon juiced

Instructions

Start the grill by lightly oiling your grates. Turn the outdoor or stovetop gas grill to high. You can also use large grill pans. )
Make the Tahini Sauce: Before you start, make the Tahini Sauce. The flavors will meld as you prepare the rest of your salad. You can make the tahini sauce a bit more runny than a dressing by adding a little water to the bowl and stirring well until it reaches the desired consistency.
Grill the corn. When the grill has reached a high temperature, place the ears on a griddle or grill grates. This should take approximately 10 minutes. Set aside from the heat.
Grill the Romaine lettuce. Brush both sides with extra virgin oil. Place the lettuce on the hot grill. Let one side cook for 3 minutes. Then, flip the lettuce over and grill the other side for 3 minutes. The lettuce should become soft but not too crispy. It should also get some good char. Place the grilled lettuce on large platter. Turn the grill off at that point. )
Cut the corn: Place one ear of corn on a plate. To release the kernels, use a sharp knife. Continue with the rest of the corn.
Mix the salad. Add the tomatoes, green onion, parsley and Aleppo pepper (if used), along with a drizzle olive oil, to the bowl with corn. Toss the ingredients together with salt.
Assemble: Spread the tomato and grilled corn salad over the grilled lettuce. Add a drizzle of tahini sauce. Serve immediately with some tahini sauce. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

To cut the kernels of corn, use the sharpest knife available. A dull knife is more likely to cause injury than a sharp one, so be careful!
This salad tastes best when it is warm.
Before you place the lettuce on your grill, make sure it is hot. The grill should be preheated to ensure the lettuce cooks evenly, quickly, and without sticking.
To browse high-quality Mediterranean ingredients such as olive oils, honey and jams, visit the shop

Nutrition

Carbohydrates: 6.4g

Grilled Romaine Salad With Corn, Tomatoes and Tahini originally appeared on The Mediterranean Dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is milk okay for the Mediterranean diet

Yes, milk in the Mediterranean diet is allowed. Low-fat yogurts, cheese, and dairy products are essential to this diet. They contain calcium and other key nutrients. It is also nutritious, and milk should be consumed in moderation. It can also be used to make oatmeal and smoothies, if desired. If possible, look for organic milk to support sustainable farming. To ensure a balanced start, you can add milk into breakfast items such as avocado toast or smoothies.

Is Banana permissible in the Mediterranean diet

Yes, bananas are permitted on the Mediterranean diet. Bananas are a low-calorie and nutritious fruit that can provide dietary fiber, potassium and vitamin B6. As a healthy side dish, it can be incorporated into meals by adding sliced or mashed bananas to porridge, smoothies, salads, or even sweet potatoes. It could also be enjoyed as a snack with nut butter such as almond or peanut for added proteins. To improve digestion and promote hunger when eating, you may want to pair bananas with nuts and seeds.

Can the Mediterranean Diet be vegetarian?

Yes, the Mediterranean Diet is adaptable to vegetarianism. To follow this eating pattern, vegetarians can avoid meat, poultry, and fish. You can choose from a variety of plant-based protein sources, such as legumes, nuts and seeds. These are all staples in the Mediterranean Diet. Adding healthy fats such as olive oil, olives, and avocados will help compensate for the sourced protein if needed. In order to obtain vitamins and minerals while living a vegetarian lifestyle, you can add tofu or soy milk to your diet. Other ideas include adding nuts and seeds to salads or bowls, mashing beans on toast, substituting ice cream for frozen banana slices, or serving hummus with vegetables throughout the day.

Can the Mediterranean Food Diet be gluten free?

Yes, the Mediterranean Diet can be adapted to be gluten-free. Whole-grain carbohydrates like wheat and barley can be replaced by gluten-free grains like millet or quinoa. You should also include fresh fruits, such as melon and pear, legumes, nuts and seeds, in your diet. For added protein sources such as dairy, choosing lactose-free products is sometimes beneficial for individuals intolerant to milk and gluten. You might also consider making porridge as an alternative to oats, eating baked salmon with potatoes, or bean soup for lunch, and roasting vegetables with herbs as dinner.

Statistics

The research suggested that the diet reduced the risk of cardiovascular issues, including stroke, heart attack, and death, by about 30 percent compared with the control group. (medicalnewstoday.com)
Other components in tomatoes may help reduce the risk of blood clots, thereby protecting against cardiovascular disease, according to a March 2019 review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. (everydayhealth.com)
Choose fat-free or 1% milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese. (my.clevelandclinic.org)
One small study suggested that swapping one-half of your serving of a high-glycemic starch (like rice) with lentils helps lower the glycemic response by 20 percent. (everydayhealth.com)

External Links

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How the Mediterranean Food Diet Can Help You Lose Weight & Feel Great

The Mediterranean Diet, a dietary pattern that emphasizes healthy fats. Whole grains, legumes, fresh fruit and vegetables are all part of the Mediterranean Diet. There are many health benefits associated with it, including improved blood lipids and glucose control, reduced risk of certain types and cancers, better cardiac health, improved cognitive function, weight management, and better overall health. There are some simple tips that can make it easier for you to follow a Mediterranean-style diet. First, swap high-calorie snacks like chips for nutritious vegetables. This is even true if you eat them as an appetizer or as part of a meal exchange. You can also add spices to your diet, or use other ingredients derived from vegetables, fruits, and nuts. You can increase your satisfaction by incorporating grains, legumes, or high-fiber foods. This will make it easier to enjoy food, as well as help you live a healthier life and possibly reap additional health benefits like a longer and more fulfilling life.