Grilled Romaine Salad with Roasted Garlic Dressing

• Recipe by E. Michael Reidt

Reidt’s Santa Barbara, California, apartment has great views of the surrounding avocado fields, but no kitchen. "No oven. No microwave. My only cooking equipment is a gas grill," he says, "so I have to get creative." Sturdy hearts of romaine become marvelously smoky on the grill, for a unique riff on Caesar salad that’s a delicious accompaniment to grilled steak.

Ingredients

1. 1 head of garlic, top third sliced off and discarded
2. 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
3. 1/4 cup buttermilk
4. 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
5. Salt and freshly ground pepper
6. 4 romaine hearts, halved lengthwise
7. 3 ounces Manchego cheese, shaved (1 cup)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Place the head of garlic, cut side up, on a double sheet of foil and drizzle with olive oil. Wrap the foil around the garlic and bake until the cloves are very soft, about 1 hour. Let cool.
2. Light a grill. Squeeze the garlic cloves into a blender. Add the buttermilk and lemon juice and blend to a puree. With the machine on, slowly pour in the 1 cup of olive oil until blended. Season the dressing with salt and pepper.
3. Drizzle the cut side of the romaine hearts with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the romaine over a hot fire, cut side down, until charred in spots, about 20 seconds. Turn the romaine over and grill for 20 seconds longer. Transfer the heads to a platter, cut side up. Drizzle the dressing over the romaine, sprinkle with the Manchego and serve right away.

Make Ahead

The dressing can be refrigerated overnight.