Grilled Little Gem Salad with Bay Shrimp & Green Goddess Dressing

Featured: Oregon Pink Shrimp

Chef Trevor Rivera, Marché

Ingredients

(Serves 4-6)

Dressing

  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/3 cup crème Fraiche or sour cream
  • 1/3 cup aioli or mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley
  • ¼ cup chopped tarragon
  • ¼ cup chopped chive
  • 3-4 anchovy filets
  • 4 Tbsp. lemon juice

Salad

  • 8 heads of Little Gem lettuce
  • 10 oz. Oregon bay (pink) shrimp
  • 2 radishes
  • 1 bunch scallions
  • 2 avocados
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

Green Goddess Dressing

In a food processor or blender, combine aioli or mayo, crème Fraiche or sour cream, all herbs, lemon juice, anchovy and garlic. Blend until all herbs are blended and dressing is smooth. (Pro tip – have a little ice water nearby and splash some in to adjust the thickness of the dressing and this will also prevent it from breaking).

Oregon Bay Shrimp Salad

  • Turn on the grill, medium to high heat should suffice. While the grill is heating up, halve the heads of little gem lettuce, being sure to leave the root attached so the lettuces will hold together while grilling. Rinse with cold water to clean any dirt or sand from the inside of the lettuces. Season the halved little gems with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
  • Grill, flipping once until they are just starting to wilt, and have clear grill marks. Let cool to room temp.
  • While the lettuces are cooling, divide the Oregon bay shrimp into 4 or 6 equal portions and set aside.
  • For the garnishes, halve each avocado, remove the pit and use a knife to slice into half-moons. Slice the radishes on a mandoline (or with a very sharp knife) and hold them aside in a bowl of ice water. Slice the scallions at a slight angle all the way to the root. 
  • Arrange the grilled gems on a large plate or 4-6 smaller plates. With a spoon or ladle, drizzle the plate heavily with the green goddess dressing. Next, take the divided Oregon Bay Shrimp and spread it around the grilled little gem. Finally, garnish the plates with half-mooned avocado, thinly shaved radish, and scallion.