My son, my sister and now my husband have all purchased Rec Tec Grills. And while they’re mastering the world of smoking and grilling, I explored one of the great side dishes Chef John from Rec Tec posted. Some people think that a great BBQ experience is all about the meats. And, while they’re certainly the star of the show, what’s a memorable BBQ without awesome side dishes? Here’s a salad that is sure to please even those who aren’t really into greens. And, as with most dishes, you can add, leave out or vary the amounts of most of the ingredients to suit your particular taste.

1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
2 ears of corn, sliced from the cob
1 avocado, peeled and chopped
8-10 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 can black beans, drained
1 jalapeno pepper, seeds and veins removed, chopped
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 small red onion, diced
fresh cilantro, minced
Freshly made ranch dressing

Toss the ingredients together with the chilled salad ingredients just before serving.