Fall Fest: Lettuce (Hold the Salad)

By: Kelsey Vala
Credit: Evan Sung for The New York Times

Credit: Evan Sung for The New York Times

Photo by: Evan Sung for The New York Times

Evan Sung for The New York Times

We’ve all experienced a drab salad made with limp lettuce that looks like it’s drowning in globs of thick dressing. But there are so many more possibilities for this humble leaf. We’ve collected five hold-the-salad recipes that will challenge your misgivings about lettuce:

1. Pasta with Prosciutto and Lettuce (pictured above)

Velvety Boston Bibb lettuce turns up in pasta tossed with salty prosciutto and springy peas.

Photo by: Tara Donne

Tara Donne

Lime juice, mint, and lemongrass all add to the refreshing, crisp taste of these lettuce wraps, which pack a kick of heat.

A post about lettuce wouldn’t be the same without a shout out to this dynamic trio of bacon, lettuce and tomato. In this rendition of the classic BLT, thick-cut bacon and crisp lettuce is paired with cornmeal-battered fried green tomatoes and fragrant peppercorn mayonnaise.

Okay, so the word “salad” does appear in this recipe title, but technically it’s a pizza.  Bake fresh, simple pizza dough with oozy mozzarella and then top with grated Parmesan, grilled chicken, and romaine hearts tossed in salty Caesar dressing.

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Arugula and lettuce team up in this creamy soup topped with a slice of delectable goat cheese.

What's your favorite non-salad lettuce recipe?
More Lettuce Recipes from Family and Friends:
Cooking With Books: "Chopped" Salads
And Love It Too: Rainbow Salad
Delicious Lean: Chiffonade of Mixed Greens

Next Up

Fall Fest: Apples Give Salad Crunch

You could spend hours browsing the in season apple selections at the famers' market but I'm happy to head right to the Honey Crisp variety. Some might call these the "fancy" variety because they can be a bit more expensive. But one bite of this super sweet and crunchy gift from the orchard and I promise, you'll be sold. So I'm happy to eat these as soon as I can get my hands on them, but their super-sweet quality and zero chance for mealy texture, makes them the perfect candidate for a salad mix-in.

Fall Fest: Pumpkin Risotto

Yes, pumpkins make great jack-o-lanterns, but did you also know they make a great dinner? Small and plump pie or sugar pumpkins are great in pumpkin recipes.

I'll Have the Salad Sandwich

Make your sandwiches a little healthier and your salads a little easier to eat with this easy recipe from Cooking Channel for a salad on a sandwich.

Fall Fest: Kabocha Squash Pasta

I've never met a squash I didn't like but I think I might be in love with kabocha squash. It doesn't have a stringy texture that some squash varieties are prone to.

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