Giving in to grilling Romaine was transformational

Let’s talk about things that are unexpectedly better when prepared contrary to how you believe they should be. I’ll start.

I resisted the grilled approach to Romaine for longer than needed, like a toddler sitting in the corner pouting, “but, salad is supposed to be cold.” Wary of the impact of the hot flames on the crisp vegetable, I was confident that the leaves would turn limp and watery. So, for 10 years, though coworkers and friends raved about the preparation, I rejected it.

A method so simple, I could have surely tried it one of the countless times I stood outside flipping burgers atop my 15-year-old Coleman.

I’ve had warm salads at upscale restaurants, even given them a go at home on occasion. Warm, crispy goat cheese wilting the bed of greens where it lies. Or even salad Lyonnaise; a French salad made with a warm bacon and Dijon based vinaigrette.

How would gazpacho, the cold tomato-and-cucumber- based soup from Spain, ever have gained popularity. And if I used this logic, presuming something was bad based on some mythical metric or general assumption, how would I have ever fallen in love with skorts?

Why are we like this? Why do we resist things that we’ve assumed we wouldn’t like without any evidence to support the opinion. I have a friend who just watched the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy with her boyfriend. She finally caved after his years of urging and guess what?

It’s all she can talk about.

I have heard people say they don’t like soup or salad or country music. But, how do you really know if you’re unwilling to give the different variations within those genres a try?

I think openness and willingness (even eagerness) to try new things is the most attractive quality in a person. Consider that the first of many qualifications I will subtly drop so eventually you all will connect me with a dream partner that meets all my whims and niche criteria. Thank you in advance, dear readers.

OK, back to food. Try everything. Grilled Romaine is absolutely delicious. I mean transformatively so. I was so wrong.