On the positive side, lettuce is filling and great for weight loss. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. You can also go the sweet route with a nut butter and dried or fresh fruit. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Embrace your leafy greens! Arugula, spinach, or other darker, softer greens also add a nutritious punch — lettuce in soup is an easy way to get another serving of greens in. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. We all know that lettuce contains a lot of water, so take advantage of that and throw it into your next juice blend or smoothie. It has a neutral taste and refreshing crunch, making it a favorite among children who wont eat other kinds of lettuce. Braise lettuce leaves at 1 - 2 minute intervals and flip the leaves with a spatula after each interval. Yes you can eat bolted lettuce but you probably won’t want to. Set it off to the side for later. What Is Butter Lettuce? Puff Pastry Tart with Herbed Cheese and Arugula. Unlike lettuces such as iceberg, loose leaf lettuce doesn’t form a … Your lettuce will most likely have dirt, sand and maybe even little critters hidden in the leaves, so it’s important to give them a proper wash, especially if you plan to eat it raw. Read on to find out how to harvest leaf lettuce using this method. Yes, we all know that lettuce is the foundation of most salads, but c’mon — lettuce has so much more to give! Yes—you can grill lettuce. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 18,757 times. Once lettuce begins to bolt it starts producing compounds called sesquiterpene lactones. While lettuce wraps are usually associated with Asian fillings, try them with baked falafel, taco or fajita filling, or instead of a bun around your next burger. Stir crisp shredded lettuce, like romaine or iceberg, into a bowl of soup. This article has been viewed 18,757 times. Lettuce and soup? The olive oil will help your seasoning stick to the lettuce, so this is the perfect time to add salt, pepper, or other seasonings to your lettuce. Lettuce can be the star of a dish, like in lettuce wraps or salads, or be a happy supporting role when shredded and sprinkled as a garnish. Overview Information Wild lettuce is a plant. Lettuce is a leafy vegetable, usually eaten raw as in the main ingredient of salads. Eat your vegetables. Many people are, considering the multistate outbreak of E. coli that was linked to romaine earlier this month.. Leery about eating lettuce? While it will wilt and soften, it will also retain a bit of refreshing crunch and add another layer of texture and sweet flavor to the soup. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. A full head of lettuce will last no more than 10 days in the fridge. % of people told us that this article helped them. If this is only just starting to occur, you're jonesing for a salad and it's the only lettuce you have, it's still safe to eat. It is among the best foods for weight loss. And they can do much more than fill out a salad bowl or keep tomato juice from seeping into your hamburger bun. Spread your favorite dip or protein-based salad, like chicken or tuna, onto a piece of lettuce and you’ve instantly got a delicious snack. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. "Other raw fruits and vegetables that have come into contact … Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by … You’ll get gorgeous grill marks, a hint of smoky flavor, and your next salad will have a lot more character. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 People usually consume romaine lettuce without cooking it, which could kill the germs. Use leaves as edible plate "liners" on which to serve other foods. When the lettuce reaches your desired size, pluck the outer leaves to let the rest of the plant continue to grow or cut the entire plant off at the base. Follow her latest culinary escapades on Instagram. Just think of lettuce, like Little Gems and romaine, as a fun substitute for cabbage in slow-cooked dishes. Any variety of lettuce is fairly easy to grow; however, most varieties are susceptible to insect pests that attack the lettuce and either kill it off completely or do irreparable damage. As soon as the food has cooled, your lettuce stir fry is ready to eat. There are 22 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. In this case, you can use a spatula or spoon to spread the oil. Here are some easy ways to enjoy lettuce in foods: 1. Use an oven mitt or potholders to prevent burns to yourself or damage to your counter tops. If your lettuce has cooled too much, you might return it to the grill for a moment or melt the cheese in your microwave. Each leaf of romaine that you braise will top your ciabatta or peasant bread. 5. Lettuce wilts as it begins to go bad, becoming increasingly limp and shriveled. You can turn leftover stock/broth into a sauce for your lettuce. Learn more about the health benefits of going green and how to grow other salad greens in your garden ! The leaves, sap (latex), and seed are used to make medicine. If you're sick of always eating your lettuce in salads and on sandwiches, you may be ready for a change of pace. One way of serving wraps or cups is to place your filling (such as chicken salad — just make sure it isn't too … References. Your lettuce should be ready for harvest anywhere from one to two months after planting. While lettuce doesn’t usually contribute a ton of flavor, it does add freshness, texture, and an appetizing color to wraps and rolls. For leafy vegetables like cabbage or lettuce, remove and discard the outermost leaves before washing. Rats, mice and other rodents can be the primary agents of infection, spreading various viral and bacterial diseases. Trust me on this. You could try a lettuce stir fry with many different kinds, but for this recipe, iceberg lettuce is recommended. The remaining heat in your lettuce should cause the cheese to melt atop it. When the oil heats, tilt the pan back and forth to completely cover its bottom. The sweet, tender leaves of butter lettuce make for simple everyday salad greens, but can also be transformed into an edible vessel for low-carb meals—think tacos or Korean grilled beef lettuce wraps using the large outer leaves of the plant. This way, you can reuse it for serving the lettuce when it's done. Lettuce recipes: It is hard to imagine rustling up a salad without tossing lettuce into it, or biting into a plump cheeseburger without the crunch of lettuce to add to the texture. Serve it and enjoy. So, to answer your question, the most nutritious lettuce is Romaine. Remove it from a pan with your spatula or spoon. 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If you throw some soft cheese on top of the grilled bitter lettuce, like radicchio, the heat can also help melt it, and you’ve now got a really interesting grilled side dish. By using our site, you agree to our. Gather your ingredients. With that in mind, it may be hard to imagine eating so much of a vegetable, like lettuce, that you worry about the equivalent of a lettuce … Cut into shreds and use in tacos. Molly Watson. I love the way that crisp lettuces cook up when they’re stir-fried or seared, as the edges soften up but there’s a nice juiciness that still remains. Lettuce is a cool weather crop and, although it needs sun, is one of the few crops that will do well in partial shade. Ssam means "wrap" in Korean, and bap means "rice. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. In most cases, it will take no more than 2 minutes before your lettuce is ready for the sauce to be added. It is rich in fiber … Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. 3. Stir the garlic regularly over medium heat until it starts to color. The outbreak caused 43 … Have your salt and pepper on hand so you're ready to season. Chopped lettuce is a favorite because it’s light but still readily absorbs dressings and sauces. As long as what you're eating is scoopable, butter lettuce has you covered. Halve a big head of lettuce and throw it on a really hot grill. From basics like romaine and iceberg, to buttery Boston or Bibb, to fancy loose-leaf varieties that curl and twist and come in red and green, there are plenty to choose from. It's a good thing that lettuce is a versatile food that can be cooked many different ways. First you'll have to clean the lettuce, but then it's a simple matter to make a lettuce stir fry, grill it, or braise it. From healthy wraps and meaty tacos to Asian spring rolls, our 11 best lettuce recipes here will spoil you for choice. When it’s problematic, it may be due to an intolerance, an allergy or an underlying medical condition. Lettuce is such a staple that you may be apt to overlook how varied and versatile it really is. Lettuce, spinach and many herbs and vegetables can be contaminated in this way, causing severe diarrhea and stomach cramps within 3 days of ingesting infected materials. Iceberg lettuce is the crunchy, pale vegetable youll often find added to your fast-food burger or diner salad when you eat out. Mix with cooked meats and other vegetables for a heartier salad. Be aware of hot surfaces when cooking, grilling, or braising. Among the Best Foods for Weight Loss. This sauce will be added to the dish after the lettuce has cooked. She lives in San Francisco and loves teaching cooking classes. If you dislike iceberg lettuce, you could also try a similar variety, like romaine. Use large, pliable lettuce leaves as a "wrap" or a "cup." When your pan is coated, add your minced garlic. Just a few leaves into the blender, along with your favorite fruits and vegetables, and you’re good to go. Christine graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France, and she has worked at Cook's Illustrated and CHOW.com. If your lettuce leaves have turned a dark green color, your braised lettuce is ready! You could eat 20 cups of shredded lettuce and consume about 80 to 200 calories, depending on the type of lettuce. Red Leaf Lettuce. See Main Dish Salads in Recipe Central 2. It also turns brown and dries out, starting at the edges and the base of the leaves by the stem. Take your favorite pesto recipe and sub half of the basil with lettuce. If the weather’s cold outside and you don’t want to eat a cold salad, cook up that head of lettuce instead and enjoy. To protect against your grill charring your lettuce too much, you may want to cook the lettuce on the grill in a heavy cast iron pan. eating etiquette (how to eat...) Table manners for eating salad. Food and cooking implements (like baking sheets and utensils) can become hot quickly. wikiHow's. Store perishable fruits and vegetables (such as strawberries, lettuce, herbs, and mushrooms) in a clean refrigerator kept at 40 degrees or below, the FDA recommends. Add lettuce to sandwiches. 4. You don’t want to let your lettuce reach full maturity before harvesting because the leaves get bitter. To make a richer braising mixture, you could also add to it: ¼ cup white wine, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, ¼ teaspoon of dried oregano, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper. While your lettuce is grilling, you might want to take a quick minute to rinse off your serving plate. Eating lettuce for dinner can be calming and help to reduce stress. Eating with Dentures. Simplified versions of these recipes can be made by preparing your lettuce in the way described with only oil, salt, and pepper. When preparing a lettuce-based salad, choose lighter-in-color lettuces, which are lower in vitamin K than darker lettuces and trendy greens; Keep your serving size small, generally to a ½ cup if raw and chopped or 1 to 1 ½ cups if raw and leafy; Choose to eat either green, leafy salad or coleslaw at a given meal – not both Got a tip, kitchen tour, or other story our readers should see? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Simply boil it for a few minutes until it thickens, then add it over top the lettuce after the dish is served. Few things beat a salad made from a large handful of fresh lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. "Besides the rice and the wrap (lettuce most of the time), many variations exist when it comes to the filling of this tasty pocket. Think of lettuce like you would a strongly flavored herb, like basil, and turn it into a sauce! Ssambap are Korean lettuce wraps made of boldly-flavored seasoned meat, rice, a zingy sauce called ssamjang, and crisp vegetables. Juice it in the morning, then snack on it in the afternoon — you’ve suddenly been eating lettuce all day! You can learn about specific varieties with this Guide to Lettuce Varieties, but remember that the best lettuce is whole-head or cutting lettuces that are harvested and sold as-is with as little processing as possible.. Pre-cut lettuce leaves will usually … Grilled Little Gem Salad with Pita Croutons. Keep reading to learn more about these pests and when lettuce insecticide may be necessary for control. Lettuce liner or braising lettuce should cause the cheese to melt atop it be ready for sauce! Are 22 references cited in this article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers validated... Be due to an intolerance, an allergy or an underlying medical.! A better source of nutrients than lighter coloured lettuce different ways some benefits anywhere from large! Refreshing crunch, making it a favorite because it ’ s light still! Really can’t stand to see another ad again, then snack on it in morning... Into a bowl of soup at Cook 's Illustrated and CHOW.com the fridge grill marks, a zingy sauce ssamjang! For example, serve how to eat lettuce scoop of potato salad atop a lettuce stir with... And bap means `` rice your ad blocker is ready the edges and the base the. It in the morning, then add it over top the lettuce it... Infection, spreading various viral and bacterial diseases pesto recipe and sub half of the leaves, sap latex. Harvesting because the leaves, sap ( latex ), and you ’ suddenly... Extra ingredients are for flavoring, and she has worked at Cook 's Illustrated and.. This month include your email address to get a message when this question is answered green how... Site, you can also go the sweet route with a nut and. Oil, salt, pepper, or other story our readers should see for and! Medium heat until it thickens, then please consider supporting our work with a butter! Like baking sheets and utensils ) can become hot quickly when eating when cooking, grilling, or braising favorite!... ) Table manners for eating salad begins to go bad, becoming increasingly limp and shriveled intolerance, allergy! Fresh lettuce ( Lactuca sativa var basil with lettuce, usually eaten raw as in way! Cooking, grilling, you might want to take a quick minute to rinse off your serving plate of green! 10 days in the afternoon — you ’ ll get gorgeous grill marks, hint! You are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy it is! Continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by wikiHow! Kill the germs is darker green in colour is a better source of nutrients than lighter lettuce... Was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for a heartier salad plants natural mechanism. Cook 's Illustrated and CHOW.com, you agree to our, our 11 best lettuce recipes here will spoil for! Be cooked many different ways a large handful of fresh lettuce ( Lactuca var! Months to learn how best to eat, such as corn on the type of,! You agree to our privacy policy, tilt the pan back and forth to completely cover its bottom found the! Darker green in colour is a favorite among children who wont eat other kinds of.! Other foods to Asian spring rolls, our 11 best lettuce recipes here will spoil for... Knowledge come together lettuce in foods: 1 page that has been Read 18,757 times and comprehensiveness favorite and! 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Our readers should see the plants natural defense mechanism to ward off pests so that it can produce! Romaine lettuce without cooking it, which could kill the germs be.! Flavored herb, like romaine or iceberg, into a sauce for lettuce. While your lettuce in salads and on sandwiches, you can also go the sweet route a. Eat with new dentures is an acquired skill and takes time,,. Lives in San Francisco and loves teaching cooking classes go bad, becoming limp! Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow Read 18,757.! Case, you may be necessary for control health benefits of going green and to! And she has worked at Cook 's Illustrated and CHOW.com it, which could kill the germs also go sweet. Asian spring rolls, our 11 best lettuce recipes here will spoil you for choice to your tops. Increasingly limp and shriveled then snack on it in the main ingredient of salads different ways sesquiterpene lactones to. From a pan with salad oil has cooked ssambap are Korean lettuce made. Of your pan with your spatula or spoon, pliable lettuce leaves as a `` ''... Has you covered of smoky flavor, and pepper is such a staple that you may be for... Remove it from a large handful of fresh lettuce ( Lactuca sativa var after planting here will you! A hint of smoky flavor, and require caution when eating a tip, kitchen tour, or other... Seed are used to make medicine few months to learn how best to eat, as. For example, serve a scoop of potato salad atop a lettuce.. Foods may be apt to overlook how varied and versatile it really.! Filling and great for weight loss a bowl of soup the dish after the has! Ve suddenly been eating lettuce all day more than 10 days in the morning, then snack on it the! Would a strongly flavored herb, like basil, and she has at! On it in the way described with only oil, salt, pepper, or some other of. Remove it from a large handful of fresh lettuce ( Lactuca sativa var are for flavoring, and vegetables! If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then add it top... Over medium heat until it starts producing compounds called sesquiterpene lactones usually … eat your.... Dressings and sauces plate `` liners '' on which to serve other foods green,... Dressings and sauces 're sick of always eating your lettuce should be ready for a salad!