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Home » Loose Leaf Lettuce Salad

Loose Leaf Lettuce Salad

May 17, 2015 20 Comments


loose leaf lettuce

just one huge bowl of cut lettuce . . . giving the rest away to friends and family!

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One of the very first vegetables that we enjoy is loose leaf lettuce!

You know the kind that you find in healthy grocery stores such as Whole Foods or The Fresh Market . . . where the lettuce is on display in loose form and not in some bag sprayed with preservatives.

Well not even these stores can get fresher than what I cut straight out of our gardens!

And the aroma of the variety of lettuce just captures your attention as the garden shears cut through the stems.

The sweet taste and aroma of spring!

Oh so easy too . . . and ready in 3 weeks!

Gardening is such a gift AND miracle.  Something I’m so glad that we taught our children, who now enjoy gardening and fresh, healthy food!

.

my raised bed of 4 lettuce varieties is EXPLODING!

my raised bed of 4 lettuce varieties is EXPLODING!

Loose leaf lettuce ia any variety of lettuce that doesn’t have a compact head form (thus the term ‘loose’ leaf).  Their flavor has a delicate flavor unlike a regular head of lettuce that has minimal flavor.

If you don’t have the ability to garden at home, this is the type of lettuce that usually appears the earliest in local farmers’ markets.  They can be started from seed at an early time because they can withstand some of the earlier, colder days and nights at the beginning of spring.

I like to plant a combination of Mediterranean lettuce:  colorful Italian lettuce such as Lolla Rossa, Mottistone, Bianca Di Milano, and Treviso along with a great old standby: Black Seeded Simpson.

 

loose leaf lettuce salad

dress lettuce with vinaigrette

Dress loose leaf lettuce with very light olive oil and vinegar based vinaigrettes . . . never use heavy and/or creamy dressings on this variety of lettuce.  And also never, ever used bottled dressings that have loads of preservatives included that can’t be pronounced!

My vinaigrettes are always 1 measurement of olive oil to ⅓ measurement of vinegar (for this salad, I used Balsamic vinegar — Aceto di Balsamico in Italian).  I also enjoy using a high quality red wine vinegar too.  So for an example, use 1 cup olive oil to ⅓ cup vinegar.  It all depends on how many people you are serving to increase or decrease this formula.

Then I slice about 10 – 12 green onions and toss those in the lettuce.

With just a dusting sprinkle of freshly cracked sea salt and black pepper to taste, this salad is complete!

If you want to really eat like a humble Italian peasant, place a large amount of the loose leaf salad between two slices of bread.  It is so simple, so easy, and so delicious!

 

looseleaf lettuce salad

layer lettuce salad on top of bread

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loose leaf lettuce salad

delicious simplicity!

 

 

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Previous Post: « Strawberry Layer Cake with Italian Meringue Buttercream
Next Post: Grilled Italian Swordfish with Creamy Lemon Caper Sauce »

Reader Interactions

 

I read each and every comment and respond to questions asap, so ask away!  As I always say, “If you’ve made a recipe, please take a photo and I’ll be happy to share your experience and photo of the recipe with all of us in this blog community!”

The kindness of giving a thumbs up 5-star rating is greatly appreciated!

~ Roz

Comments

  1. Velva says

    May 17, 2015 at 8:33 PM

    My lettuces are done for the season 🙂 Lettuces are a beautiful experience in the garden.

    Reply
    • Roz says

      July 16, 2015 at 7:18 PM

      I’m missing fresh lettuce right now in these scorching hot temps, Velva! How’s your garden coming along in this heat?
      Roz

      Reply
  2. [email protected] Gluten Free A-Z Blog says

    May 17, 2015 at 10:27 PM

    Roz,
    Your lettuce beds look fabulous ,and I can just imagine how wonderful that fresh salad tastes, I can’t garden where I live and I miss it, but I do join a CSA and get fresh organic produce.

    Reply
    • Roz says

      July 16, 2015 at 7:26 PM

      I think that it is is absolutely wonderful that you support a local CSA, Judee! The time will come when I can no longer garden (physically) and hope to do the same as you!
      Hoping that your summer has been full of sunlight and joy,
      Roz

      Reply
  3. Mindy says

    May 18, 2015 at 12:13 AM

    Beautiful! We were just reminiscing this weekend about my grandma’s lettuce and green onion salad she always served. With Grandma’s Dressing, of course! My sister and I always have a bottle in the fridge. Oil, vinegar, and a bit of sugar. Lots of memories in that bottle.

    Reply
    • Roz says

      July 16, 2015 at 7:43 PM

      Oh my, Mindy! There are not that many people who share this simple food memory! One of the best and most delicious in all its simplicity, in my opinion.
      I hope that you are having a beautiful and delicious summer!
      Hugs,
      Roz

      Reply
  4. [email protected]'s Recipes says

    May 18, 2015 at 5:23 AM

    I just harvested some Asian salad leaves and going to make a salad for the dinner today too. You have a HUGE garden, Roz.

    Reply
    • Roz says

      July 16, 2015 at 7:31 PM

      Hi Angie,
      You’re just so sweet! Actually this year, my garden is smaller than ever due to my mother’s deteriorating health and the time we needed to spend attending to her needs. Maybe next spring, she will smile on us and help us have a more bountiful garden.
      Hope your summer has been as delightful as you!
      Roz

      Reply
  5. Larry says

    May 18, 2015 at 9:13 AM

    I’ve never had a salad sandwich but it looks delicious.

    Reply
    • Roz says

      July 16, 2015 at 11:03 PM

      Larry, sorry for getting back to you so late; so many things happening at my end and i’m just coming up for air . . . sinking every now and then though. A salad sammie is nothing more tha lettuce between bread soaked with the vinaigrette, so if you’re one who likes to ‘mop up’ sauces or dressings, than you’ll enjoy this very simple, humble, poor man’s food!
      Roz

      Reply
  6. Ilaria says

    May 19, 2015 at 7:18 AM

    Wonderful… directly coming from your garden. Really the maximum.
    I’m still waiting for the first salad coming from my father garder.

    Reply
    • Roz says

      July 16, 2015 at 10:48 PM

      Ciao Ilaria, Mi dispiace for replying so late. My mother became very ill since Aprile and I was unable to reply fast to you. I hope that you enjoyed the lettuce and vegetables from your beloved father’s garden. Now that it is so hot, I would love a garden-fresh salad!
      Love,
      Roz

      Reply
  7. Ciao Chow Linda says

    May 19, 2015 at 10:52 PM

    Your garden looks fabulous, Roz and there’s nothing so delicious as a plain old garden lettuce salad. I’ve been able tot harvest mine once and there’s plenty more to go. I think I have the same lettuce-shaped green dish you have too.

    Reply
    • Roz says

      July 17, 2015 at 3:20 PM

      It’s always nice to know that great minds think alike . . . when it comes to someone like you, Linda, having the same lettuce-shaped plate! I hope that you’re doing well these days.
      Roz

      Reply
  8. Annamaria @ Bakewell Junction says

    May 21, 2015 at 10:18 PM

    Roz,
    Your garden looks wonderful. I haven’t planted a garden in a few years but I’m hoping to have a few plants this year.
    Annamaria

    Reply
    • Roz says

      July 17, 2015 at 3:12 PM

      Thanks Annamaria, this has been a good summer for having a garden. I need to get busy picking tomatoes now!
      Roz

      Reply
  9. Liz says

    May 22, 2015 at 8:54 PM

    I wish we had more sun in our yard so I could plant a big garden. Plus some good ol’ Iowa soil—so much clay in ours here. But you’ve put me in the mood for salad—I’ll pick up some lettuces tomorrow. Happy holiday weekend, Roz! xo

    Reply
    • Roz says

      July 16, 2015 at 7:38 PM

      Hi Liz,
      I am so behind in replying to everyone; hard spring and summer and I hope that you understand. I wish it wasn’t so hot right now or I would be planting another round of lettuce to nosh on and enjoy!
      Hugs,
      Roz

      Reply
  10. Chiara says

    May 23, 2015 at 5:16 PM

    Your garden looks wonderful, Roz !Have a nice weekend, a hug

    Reply
    • Roz says

      July 16, 2015 at 7:32 PM

      Grazie mille, cara e’ bella amica di Italia! I hope to have a more productive garden next year; I had so little time to tend to the garden this year.
      Hugs,
      Roz

      Reply

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Welcome!

Welcome!

Ciao, I'm Roz!
From my family's kitchens and restaurants in the U.S. and Italy, I share classic, delicious recipes . . . and always served with 'amore'! I'll help you master the art of cooking with easy to follow instructions and cooking tips. Get ready for the compliments! Buon Appetito!

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