Can I do anything else with lettuce other than salad?

spiddy100

Hello everyone

Haven't been on here for ages, have been trying to cut down on PC time and spend more time old-styling

I was hoping you lovely people might be able to help me with something. At this time of year we get a lettuce every week in our veg box. Neither DH nor I like salads and it's going to waste.

Other than giving it away to my neighbour, is there anything non-salady I can do with lettuce? Soup? Cook it somehow? Any ideas? They are big, frizzy salad leaves most of the time (red batavia this time) - I have been able to get creative with Little Gems in the past but these are different.

Thanks
Spiddy

boo81

my mum ranted about lettuce soup a while back so worth a search for a recipe I would think. Other than that im not sure what you can do with it. My mum always used to serve little side salads with meals or put them in sandwiches.

spiddy100

Thanks boo81, there's a recipe for lettuce soup on the BBC website which looks really easy, had no idea how it would turn out but your mums' recommendation is enough for me to give it a try

thriftlady_2

I make lettuce soup occasionally

Sweat a chopped onion and a diced potato in some butter for a few mins. Add the lettuce -it will wilt down very quickly. Stir it about then pour on some chicken stock and simmer until everything is soft then liquidise. You can adjust quantities to suit your taste and the thickness you like by adding more or less potato. Bacon or ham are good additions as is garlic.

spiddy100

Thanks Thriftlady, that sounds good. What does it taste like? Does the lettuce add much taste or does the taste come mainly from the onion/stock?

tightasagnats

Lettuce can be stir fried and will behave like spinach try it in a little olive oil with garlic, or in a little sunflower oil then drizzle on a little soy sauce and sesame oil.

Lizzieanne

Little gem lettuces are lovely braised in the oven in shallow dish. Cut them in half lengthways, and pour chicken or veg stock over them plus some seasoning. There's no reason why you couldn't use a bigger variety of lettuce.

thriftlady_2

spiddy100 wrote: »

Thanks Thriftlady, that sounds good. What does it taste like? Does the lettuce add much taste or does the taste come mainly from the onion/stock?

To be honest it's mostly onion and stock, but the stronger tasting the lettuce, the more lettucey it tastes

Lots of lettuce has a soporific effect btw (remember the Flopsy Bunnies), so a good soup to have before bed.

Gingham_Ribbon

Whatever you do, don't add mint and cream if you're making lettuce soup. I followed a recipe for lettuce soup recently and it had to be thrown away. Think lettuce icecream and you get the idea. Blurgh!

Here are a couple of threads with some ideas that might be of use:

Iceberg lettuce
Lettuce, cucumber and tomato

Noozan

Try making pea and lettuce soup, it's delish :drool:

Also, you can stir fry lettuce with a little crushed garlic and a pinch of salt; serve it as a side dish with your meal.

Noozan

Lettuce leaves (esp Iceberg or little gem) make very good wraps. Use as you would a tortilla wrap for chicken and sweetcorn mayo etc. Or cook some pork mince with chopped mushrooms, season and add a little water to moisten. Thicken with cornflour. Serve with a plate of lettuce leaves and let everyone make up their own wraps at the table.