Foodness Gracious - Week 83

Recipes

Chicken salad is having its main character moment this week — and we’re not talking about that tired grocery store tub version. This Chicken Salad on Grilled Romaine Lettuce is bringing the protein and the plot twist. Imagine tender chicken breast tossed with tangy lemon mayo, the snap of radishes, crunchy celery, toasted walnuts, and a whisper of crispy bacon. This isn’t your average picnic bowl. It’s a spoonful of savory sunshine with serious texture goals.

Now let’s talk about the lettuce. Grilled. Romaine. Lettuce. Say it again slowly — grilled. romaine. lettuce. If you’ve never kissed a head of romaine with an open flame, you’re missing out on one of life’s low-effort, high-reward secrets. The heat caramelizes the edges, gives it a smoky flavor, and turns a humble green into the smoky diva of your dinner plate.

This dish walks the tightrope between light and indulgent, smoky and crisp, creamy and crunchy. It’s a summer flex for anyone who wants to eat like they own a beach house without actually having to clean sand out of their car for weeks.

And don’t get nervous about the grilled greens. Once you char that romaine just right and nestle the chicken salad on top, you’ll feel like you just unlocked the next level of your culinary side quest. Bonus: your guests will think you went to culinary school. Let them.

So grab your tongs, summon your inner grill master, and give salad the drama it deserves. This week’s recipe is anything but leafy and boring.

Reviews

Grilling romaine? Heck yes. Grilling romaine without it falling into the grill abyss? Even better. That’s where this week’s featured product comes in: the non-stick rectangular grill topper with handles.

This thing is the MVP of backyard cooking. It holds your lettuce, veggies, shrimp, or even sliced fruit in place while delivering those perfect grill marks. And thanks to its easy-to-grab handles, you can transport your goodies from grill to kitchen without playing Tetris with tongs.

Cleanup? Practically non-existent. Just a quick wipe or toss it in the dishwasher. You’ll be back to sipping something cold on the patio in no time.

If you’re planning on taking your grilled game beyond hot dogs and hamburgers this summer, this is the tool you need in your arsenal. Get it before your neighbor borrows it and “forgets” to give it back.

You can see all of our home kitchen product reviews too!

Splurge on your trip, not your travel wardrobe

Quince believes that quality should never be a luxury, with premium apparel, accessories, and luggage all priced at 50-80% less than competitors.

Ready to upgrade your vacation style? Check out the 2025 Resort Collection.

SHOP NOW

Responsibility

Wine: it’s not just for fancy dinners and questionable vacation decisions. If you’re the type who swirls before sipping, sniffs like a detective, or just really loves a good glass of red (or white... or rosé), this week’s article is your new happy place.

We’re sharing 4 ways to deepen your wine journey — and one of them starts surprisingly close to home. You might not have a vineyard in your backyard, but there’s a good chance there’s a swirl-worthy stop within an Uber ride of your house.

The other three ideas? Well, you’ll just have to click the article to find out. Let’s just say your corkscrew might be seeing a lot more action in the weeks to come.

Learn more online at Foodness Gracious in our Responsibility section.

Foodness Fun - Trivia

Last week we were talking about Strawberry Shortcake and asked the following trivia question:

Which country is credited with the earliest version of strawberry shortcake?
A) United States
B) France
C) England
D) Italy

If you answered (c) England...you're right! Our friends across the pond were baking up versions of strawberry shortcake as far back as the late 1500s. The original was more of a biscuit-style treat, with strawberries and cream layered in like a posh little trifle.

The American version that we know and love (with spongier cake and lots of whipped cream) came later, but it all started in ye olde England, where they knew a thing or two about turning tea-time into a sweet affair.

So the next time you're slicing strawberries and dolloping cream, raise your fork to the Brits. They knew a good dessert when they saw one — and so do we.