Wilted Leaf Lettuce

CATEGORY: lettuce

Ingredients

2 Large Bunches of Lettuce

Salt and Pepper to Taste

2 tsp Sugar

2 Spring Onions, Chopped

4 Slices of Bacon, Chopped

1/4 C Vinegar

2 T Water

1 Hard Boiled Egg, Chopped

Directions

This is an homage to the Warm Spinach Salad:  Shred lettuce into hot bowl, add salt, pepper, sugar and onions.  Fry the bacon until crisp; add vinegar and water, heat and pour over the lettuce.  Toss until wilted and sprinkle egg over the top.  (Or you can place the lettuce mix in a frying pan and toss until wilted).  Goat Cheese and Walnuts are a wonderful addition if you choose.  Serves 5

Grilled Caesar Salad

CATEGORY: lettuce

Ingredients

2-3 Heads of Lettuce (Romaine is preferable)

3 T Olive Oil

Salt (Sea Salt is best) and Pepper to Taste

3 T Parmesan Cheese

Your Favorite Caesar Dressing

Directions

Take 2 or 3 heads of lettuce , split them lengthwise, wash them, and patt dry with paper towel.  Then make up some garlic oil by grating 3-4 cloves of garlic and add about 3 tablespoons of olive oil.  To that add some cracked black pepper, and then brush the oil liberally on the cut lettuce halves, making sure to get plenty of the garlic inside the leaves as well.

Plac the oiled lettuce halves on the flaming hot grill (as high as it will go) and let them cook for about 2 minutes uncovered.  Just enough for the cut edges to get a slight char on them.  

Sprinkle the grilled lettuce with flaked sea salt for some added crunch, and serve with dressing and parmesan cheese.  If anyone has a great recipe for homemade caesar dressing, I’d love to give it a try the next time I make this!

Stir Fry Lettuce

CATEGORY: lettuce

Asian cuisine rarely has raw vegetables.  This lettuce dish is considered a good dish for Chinese New Year since they consider lettuce to be "lucky".

Ingredients:

1 Head Buttercrunch Lettuce

2 tsp Soy Sauce

1 1/2 tsps Chinese Rice Vinegar

3/4 tsp Sugar

1 1/2 T Vegetable or Peanut Oil

2 Garlic Cloves, Roughly Cut

1 1/2 tsp Minced Ginger

1/8 - 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Sesame Oil

Directions

Wash the lettuce, drain and separate the leaves. It′s important to make sure the lettuce is dry. Cut across the leaves into pieces about 1 inch wide.

Combine the vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar in a small bowl, stirring. Set aside.

Heat a wok on medium-high heat and add oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes. Stir-fry until aromatic (5 - 10 seconds) and add the lettuce.

Stir-fry the lettuce, sprinkling with the salt, for 1 - 2 minutes, until the leaves begin to wilt.  Give the sauce a quick re-stir and swirl it into the wok. Stir-fry for 1 - 2 more minutes, until the lettuce turns dark green. Remove from the heat and stir in the sesame oil. Serve immediately. Serves 6

Lettuce Soup

CATEGORY: lettuce

Yes you read correctly...

Ingredients

1 Cup Chopped Spring Onions

1 Garlic Clove, Chopped

3 T Unsalted Butter

3/4 tsp Ground Coriander

3/4 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp Black Pepper

3/4 C Diced Peeled Potato

8 C Coarsely Chopped Lettuce Leaves including ribs (3/4 lb)

3 C Water

Directions

Cook onion mixture and garlic in 2 tablespoons butter in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add coriander, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in potato, lettuce, and water and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until potato is very tender, about 10 minutes.

Purée soup in batches in a blender (use caution when blending hot liquids) and transfer to a 2- to 3-quart saucepan. Bring soup to a simmer, then whisk in remaining tablespoon butter and salt and pepper to taste. Photo Serves 4