Grilled Lettuce Salad with Buttermilk-Chive Dressing

This Grilled Lettuce with Buttermilk-Chive Dressing is a delicious and elegant salad that can be made in only about 5 minutes. All you need is the freshest butter lettuce available and a few ingredients for the dressing. Grilling the lettuce intensifies its flavour and changes the texture ever so slightly, making each bite have its own character: closer to the edge a bit smokey, a crisper and brighter taste as you indulge deeper. The buttermilk dressing is light, delicate and full of flavour, and would be delicious also with other grilled vegetables such as zucchini, asparagus or even poached salmon. 

Grilled Butter Lettuce Salad with Buttermilk-Chive Dressing
Serves 6

3 butter lettuce, cut in half lengthwise
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup crème fraîche, sour cream or Greek yogurt
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp thinly sliced chives
1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
vegetable oil for the grill

Prepare an outdoor grill at medium-high heat. Whisk the buttermilk, crème fraîche and olive oil in a bowl. Add the chives, lemon juice and mix well. Season with salt and pepper, and set aside.

Brush the grill with a light coating of vegetable oil, place the lettuce, cut side down and grill for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the grilled lettuce to a serving platter cut side up, and drizzle the dressing over it. Sprinkle with a little more chives, salt and pepper. Serve immediately.