Lettuce Reason Together
Growing up, the only lettuce available in the supermarket were tightly bound heads of iceberg. (Did I just age myself?) My father loved to make fresh salads for our family which he filled with a variety of ingredients, but the one constant in our salad bowl was iceberg lettuce.
It seems that today, most people have substituted this salad “constant” with romaine lettuce, which is a great lettuce in its own right. But really, folks, why limit yourself to just one variety of lettuce as if following some unspoken rule of vegetation monogamy?!
I say you spice up your leafy green eating with some other interesting varieties. And since I just mentioned the word “spice”, may I introduce you to a mildly peppery-tasting leafy green, arugula? Because of its peppery bite, it pairs well with contrasting sweet flavors such as citrus wedges and sweet “meats” like sautéed sea scallops or shrimp. Or, you can go bold by pairing it with steak—it can take it. Surprisingly, it also makes an excellent side to your fried eggs when lightly dressed with a balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Trust me, you’ll love it alongside your eggs, and you’ll be adding a nutritious green to the first meal of your day!
Butter lettuce has been a favorite of mine since I tried it for the first time, 28 years ago, on my honeymoon in St. Martins. It doesn’t taste like butter, but it is the softest, most delicate lettuce I know of, and so it “eats like butter”. It’s sold with its roots still intact to keep it perfectly fresh.
Mesclun salad mix had its origin in France but has become more mainstream in the US over the past decade. Even so, some romaine and iceberg lovers are afraid to try it because of all the different colors and shapes of the leaves in this motley bunch. If I am describing you, throw caution to the wind and try a fork full. Know that you’ll be adding a potpourri of nutrients to your diet if you do.
Microgreens are simply fabulous, but they don’t come with a “micro” price tag. The best place to find these true “babies” of the salad world is at a Farmers Markets where they are grown locally as they are highly perishable. Use sparingly as a side salad or to top a fancy sandwich. Anything “micro”—in its early stages of growth—will be packed with a higher amount of nutrients, so you do get a big bang for the big bucks you’ll have to spend on these tasty greens.