On cool days, a warm meal is a welcomed treat that keeps Jack Frost from nipping at your nose. While salads are often associated with a way to cool down, there are ways to keep your favorite greens going strong in your diet even when the days grow cold. Taking hearty leaves, like romaine, and grilling them still gives you that traditional crispiness of a salad while adding that warmth your body craves. I opted for a Spanish flavor for this salad, and their dishes often feature peppers and olives. To add to the grilled taste and in keeping with the Spanish flair, I also added a bit of smoky paprika. Rich carbs, healthy fats, and nutrients from every ingredient keep your immune system in full gear during the flu and cold season!

Grilled Smoky  Spanish Salad

• 1 head romaine, outer leaves removed

• 1/2 cup roasted peppers, sliced*

• 1/4 cup green olives, sliced 

• 1/4 cup raw almonds, roughly chopped

• 1-2 garlic clove, minced

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1/4 teaspoon paprika

• Salt and pepper to taste

Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Generously spray or rub romaine (all sides) with the olive oil. Season with a touch of salt and pepper. Place on grill and grill for about 3-4 minutes a side, allowing grill marks to appear on leaves and for the head to heat through. In a small bowl, mix together peppers, olives, garlic, and paprika. Stir. Place romaine head onto dish, top with olive and pepper mixture, and then add on chopped almonds (marcona almonds are a Spanish variety, but raw almonds work too). Drizzle with a touch of olive oil if desired.

*Roast your own! Lightly coat with olive oil and place on foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake at 400 for about 20-30 depending on size of peppers.

Other recipes you will enjoy:

“A Salad For Each Week” Recipes:

1. Broccoli and White Bean Salad

2. Asian Purple Cabbage Slaw

3. Fresh and Minty Cantaloupe and Tomato Salad

4. Tangy Kale and Sweet Potato Bit Salad

5. Key Lime Corn and Black Bean Salad

6. Green Bean, Tomato, and Mozzarella Pesto Salad

7. “So Long Summer” Salad

8. Pickle Salsa

9. Gingery Broccoli and Carrot Salad

10. Mediterranean Farro Salad

11. Home Grown Kale and Pumpkin Seed Salad

12. Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Warm Chutney Dressing

13. Cranberry and Orange Quinoa Salad

14. Southwest Ranch Dressing

15. Marinated Mushrooms

16. Fajita Quinoa

17. Caesared Brussel Sprouts

18. Fresh Argentinian Salad

19. The “New Green” Salad

20. Shrimp, Strawberry, and Feta Salad with Balsamic Chia Dressing

21. Garden Fresh Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

22. Cool Zucchini, Carrot, and Radish Salad

23. Layered Greek Salad

24. Shredded Brussel Sprout Salad

25. Ginger Dressed Slaw

26. Creamy Balsamic, Blueberry and Basil Spinach Salad

27. Tangy Green Bean Salad

28. Florida Summer Salad

29. Avocado and Crab Salad

30. Bella Salad

31. Sweet Potato Home Fries

32. Tomato and Carrot Balsamic Salad
    

33. “The Southeast” Summer Salad

34. Homemade Caesar Salad

35. Creamy Caesar Salad

36. Antipasto Pasta Salad

37. Curried Cauliflower Sauté

38. French Onion Green Beans

39. Mason Jar Greek Salad

40. Thanksgiving Salad

41. Carrabba’s Creamy Parmesan Salad

42. Breakfast Salad

43. Broccoli and “Bacon” Salad

44. Cucumber Salad

45. Roasted Beet, Nut and Feta Salad

46. Butternut Squash and Green Bean Succotash