Wilted Lettuce is a quick and tasty way to enjoy soft lettuce with a delicious dressing. This dish features fresh lettuce leaves gently wilted with a warm blend of bacon drippings, vinegar, and sugar, creating a delightful mix of flavors.
To prepare, simply heat the dressing ingredients in a pan until warm, then toss in the lettuce until it is slightly wilted and well-coated. The flavors blend together wonderfully, making this dish as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.
Ideal for special occasions or a simple weeknight side, Wilted Lettuce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Enjoy this easy-to-make dish that will impress your guests with its rich flavors and beautiful appearance.
Wilted Lettuce Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Green onions with tops, thinly sliced
- 5 Slices bacon
- 1 Head leaf lettuce – dried, rinsed and torn into edible size
- 2 tbsp Red wine vinegar
- ½ tsp Ground black pepper
- 1 tsp White sugar
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
Instructions
- In a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crispy and evenly browned.
- Remove the cooked bacon from the skillet, crumble it, and set it aside, keeping the bacon drippings in the pan.
- To the skillet with the bacon drippings, add vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, and pepper.
- Stir carefully over medium heat until the mixture is hot and well combined.
- In a large bowl, combine lettuce and green onions.
- Pour the warm dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Sprinkle the salad with the crumbled bacon and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts:
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 124 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Vitamin C | 12 mg |
| Iron | 1 mg |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Calcium | 30 mg |
What Can Be Made With Wilted Lettuce?
Wilted lettuce can be tossed into soup, blended into green ice cubes for smoothies, make pesto, or sauté it!
Does vinegar cause lettuce to wilt?
Yes, the acid in the dressing, such as vinegar or citrus juice, breaks down the cell structure of the leaves, releasing trapped water and causing greens to wilt quickly.
Is It Healthy To Eat Wilted Lettuce?
Wilted lettuce may appear limp or soggy due to handling during harvesting, packaging, or transport. Despite its appearance, it is not necessarily unsafe and can still retain its nutritional value.