While many people feel that lettuce is the most boring vegetable that they can cook, you’ll find that with just a little bit of work and some serious thought regarding the lettuce itself, you’ll find that there are a number of different options out of that.  When you are thinking of cooking with lettuce, remember to take some time to find some really wonderful ways to prepare your leafy lettuce veggies!

When you are thinking of cooking lettuce or using it in your food in any state, raw or cooked, you’ll find that your options will be a great deal more tasty if you simply remove iceberg lettuce from your diet.  Iceberg lettuce is the least healthy of the lettuce varieties, and you’ll also find that interestingly enough, it is the least healthy of the options that you have available to you.  You’ll find that your salads will immediately become a great deal less boring simply by using other varieties of lettuce.  Iceberg lettuce has been specifically bred to remove the bitterness, and therefore, it is certainly the mildest form of lettuce.

If you are looking for something with more taste, you’ll most commonly be able to find romaine lettuce, which often has a faintly bitter, but not unpleasant taste.  Romaine is frequently used for Caesar salad and the slight bitterness is an ideal foil for the creamy dressing.  You’ll also find that Chinese lettuce is even more bitter and flavorful; you’ll find that it is quite appropriate for use in stir-frys and stews, not falling apart even under active, busy cooking.

If you are a little bit nervous about trying a lettuce that is known as bitter, think about using looseleaf lettuce.  Looseleaf lettuce contains lollo rosso lettuces and oak leaf, and it has a wonderfully mild flavor that is excellent with mild beef dishes.  You’ll also quickly realize that summer crisp lettuces, which are also known as Batavian, is quite crunchy with a similarly mild flavor.  Take some time and really think about what you are interested in terms of good food.

When you are thinking of good lettuce recipes, remember that they are ideal when they are raw and fresh, so try to buy in season, whether you take part in a food co-op or you decide to buy at the farmers’ market.  If you stir-fry, you can also use lettuce to add texture and “filler” to another dish.  The lettuce leaves, when shredded, usually soak up the flavor of the sauce and give you a nutritious way to cut through the richness of many stir-fry dishes.

If you are thinking about integrating lettuce into your diet, take some time and really think about your options; there are more than you think!

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