La variedad de lechuga subestimada que brillará en tu próxima ensalada
Para algunos, la lechuga es simplemente lechuga. Añade un toque verde a una hamburguesa o sirve de base para una ensalada. En cambio, los amantes de las verduras y los chefs saben que va mucho más allá. Cada variedad de lechuga aporta una textura, color y sabor diferentes a cualquier plato.
For some, lettuce is just lettuce. It adds a touch of green to a burger or serves as the base for a salad. But vegetable lovers and chefs know it's so much more than that. Each variety of lettuce brings a different texture, color, and flavor to any dish. A mix of spring lettuces or chopped romaine are some of the most commonly used in salads, but keep in mind that you're missing out on many other varieties if those are the only ones you have in your repertoire. Little Gem and butterhead lettuces have gained popularity in recent years and are two special varieties, but you might want to consider another: oak leaf lettuce.
Oak leaf lettuce, named for its resemblance to an oak leaf, is a bright spring green with tender, supple leaves. Red oak leaf lettuce has a purplish-red tip. Like other lettuce varieties, oak leaf lettuce belongs to the Asteraceae family and is very similar to butterleaf lettuce. Its leaves are quite delicate and have a fresh, sweet, and slightly nutty flavor, as well as a buttery texture. It is usually sold as a whole, rosette-shaped head, rather than as individual leaves or in a prepared salad mix. It is not the easiest variety to find in supermarkets; farmers' markets or specialty food stores are your best bet. If you can't find it at either of these places, you can buy seeds online to grow it at home (you can find over 1,000 seeds for under $5).
How to use oak leaf lettuce
Often, the focus of salads is on the ingredients and dressing, and the base is frequently overlooked. Use oak leaf lettuce to give your salad a different shape and texture, or combine it with other tender lettuces. Because of its delicate nature, the leaves won't stay as crisp as other varieties, such as romaine or iceberg. If you use this special lettuce in a salad, prepare it just before serving and add the dressing immediately to prevent the leaves from wilting. Don't store a salad with an oak leaf lettuce base in the refrigerator, as it will turn into a mushy green mass.
To complement the salad's flavors, opt for other delicate and fresh tastes such as stone fruit, apple, aromatic herbs, edible flowers, and goat cheese. If you miss the crunch of other types of lettuce, add candied nuts or chopped celery. Dress with Ina Garten's favorite lemon vinaigrette, or any other vinaigrette, and you'll have a fresh and vibrant salad with a carefully selected base.
In cold sandwiches or wraps, oak leaf lettuce can be used as a layer of fresh greens; just remember to add more leaves than with other lettuces, as it's thinner and tends to clump together. It's not the best variety for hot sandwiches or burgers, as it wilts quickly when exposed to heat. It definitely can't be grilled like romaine lettuce, which is more resilient. For this variety, remember to keep it refrigerated and always eat it raw.