Salad leaves: the mood guide
You know the feeling: you enter the salad section and you’re greeted with a wall of beautifully crisp greens, so tender and fresh – but which lettuce actually goes with what? And what will really suit your mood?
The mood: It’s a weeknight and you’re looking for something delicious but easy for dinner, something with a bit of weight and a touch more heft than a salad.
What to make: Try some yummy lettuce cups – pork or chicken mince stir-fried chop-chop with all kinds of Asian bits like lemongrass, chilli, fresh coriander, spring onions and peanuts – served in a firm lettuce cup.
Which lettuce? Crunchita™ is your friend here; the firm shape of the lettuce makes it an ideal food vehicle.
The mood: You’re desperately trying to liven up your work lunch repertoire.
What to make: Take your sad leftover roast chicken-sarmie and pimp it with a delicious Caesar salad dressing (simply combine good mayo, chopped anchovy fillets, fresh lemon juice and grated parmesan) and layer it with crisp lettuce.
Which lettuce? As is traditional for the Caesar salad, romaine/cos is the only leaf allowed.
The mood: It’s Friday afternoon, you’re dreaming of dinner, and you’re leaning towards a burger night.
What to make: You could go the stock-standard route of the cheesy beef burger, but why not try something different for a change? How’s about a deeply delicious Greek lamb burger made with rosemary lamb burger patties, fresh mint, slices of tomato, tzatziki and lettuce?
Which lettuce? Butter lettuce with its beautiful soft folds is simply made for burgers.
The mood: You’re feeling a bit extra, you’re having people over for lunch, you’ve maybe picked up a nice cut of tuna somewhere and you’re thinking about doing something fancy with it.
What to make: A salad Niçoise for lunch on a crisp spring day, served with a glass of sauvignon blanc, is the last word in laid-back sophistication.
Which lettuce? Opt for baby gem lettuce – the juicy leaves pair well with the savoury components of seared tuna and boiled eggs.
The mood: You’re going to a bring & braai and you’re on salad duty.
What to make: A good old chopped salad with all the good stuff – seasoned tomatoes, red onions, cucumber, sweet peppers, some chickpeas if you like, and of course sliced lettuce.
What lettuce? Go with the iceberg lettuce here – the crisp leaves won’t get lost in the colourful chaos you’re creating.