Grilling romaine lettuce is a great way to make summer salads more creative while keeping them nutritious and low in calories. This is a quick and easy side dish you can add to the menu any time you are grilling.

Yield: 4 servings

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Grilling time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp non-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp olive oil mayonnaise or low-fat mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp fine ground sea salt
• 1 large head of romaine lettuce
• Optional toppings: croutons, shaved Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Add the lemon juice, yogurt, and mayonnaise to the cup of a single-serving blender or small food processor. Pulse for 10 to 15 seconds until blended. Add the dill, chives, garlic powder, and salt. Pulse again until all ingredients are mixed into a smooth dressing.
2. Place the head of lettuce on a grill that has been heated to 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Use tongs to continually flip the lettuce to get even wilting on all sides. Grill for 3 to 5 minutes until the outer leaves have wilted and show signs of blackening.
3. Transfer the head of lettuce to a cutting board. Remove the stem end and chop the leaves into bite-size pieces. The outer leaves will be warm and wilted, and the inner leaves will still be crisp and cool.
4. Put the lettuce in a large bowl. Pour in the dressing and toss with tongs until all the lettuce is evenly coated. Serve with croutons and shaved Parmesan, if desired.

Lori Rice, M.S., is a nutritional scientist and author with a passion for healthy cooking, exercise physiology, and food photography.