Giangi's Kitchen

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Butter lettuce with shallots vinaigrette.  We love salad in our family. Ever since I can remember I have enjoyed crispy butter lettuce with a vinaigrette.

One ritual that is consistent in our family. I learned how to make it early from my dad, and the process has stayed with me.

Of all the types of lettuce, butter lettuce, also known as Boston lettuce or bibb lettuce, is one that the leaves are the tenderest of all.

Butter lettuce leaves are very easy to damage. A gentle wash and dry with soft paper towels will be perfect.

With all vinaigrettes, you must enjoy it as soon as you mix it with the salad. The vinegar will burn to the salad, and you will have a wilted salad to enjoy.

In France, we make it at the last minute, mix it at the table, and serve it, thus enjoying it fresh.

Vinaigrette

A simple sauce created by blending vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper is perfect for butter lettuce.

Of course, you can add to it shallots, fines herbs such as thyme, tarragon, chives, or cooked eggs. You can also replace the vinegar with fresh lemon juice.

Why not make Roasted Baby Beets with Salad and Feta Cheese instead? Light, healthy, and super delicious.

Leftover chicken? Make some super fun lettuce wraps with it.

Cooking tips and step by step on creating your vinaigrette

• Always dissolve the salt with the vinegar in a large salad bowl. The acidity of the vinegar will dissolve the salt, thus not having huge chunks of crunchy salt in your mouth when eating it.
• Once the salt has dissolved, add the olive oil. The rule is always one tablespoon vinegar and two tablespoons olive oil. Whisk them well together until a smooth sauce is created.
• At this juncture, you can add the shallots and herbs you wish to enjoy with your butter lettuce.
• When you mix the salad with the vinaigrette, do it at the last minute as the vinegar will wilt the salad if sitting in it too long. Gently fold as not to bruise the salad.
• When storing the butter lettuce, please place it in a clean plastic bag.  I usually wrap a paper towel around it so the outer leaves are not bruised.

Substitutions:

• Keeping the same ratios: 1 acidity to 3 olive oil, you can replace the vinegar with mustard or lemon.
• Mustard is a perfect complement to any spinach or kale. Vinegar is refreshing. Lemon brings a light summer flair to it.
• Add some chives shallots, and voila, and a new savory salad is added to your repertoire.

I told you it was a ritual.

More delicious recipes to enjoy:

Prawns Cocktail with Kiwis