Dear Home Ec 101,
As much as I like salad, I hate making it. It was my job growing up – I despised it then and I despise it now. I don’t mind cutting up the tomato, bell pepper, and such. It’s washing the lettuce that does me in. Upon marriage, my salad-making life got somewhat better when I discovered salad spinners. But I still detest the job. Did I say I despise it?
I think perhaps if I washed all the lettuce at once it wouldn’t be so bad. Is this possible? How would I keep it fresh? I have a vegetable crisper drawer in my fridge. Would this help? Would I keep the little vent on it opened or closed? What type container would I put the lettuce in after it’s washed.
Any help would be greatly appreciated by my ever-salad-lovin’ family. And me.
~Wonderin’ bout Wilt
Heather says:
Absolutely, but you must be sure to remove as much water as possible. You mentioned having a salad spinner, use it. For those who don’t have salad spinners you can use a clean pillow case. Just open it up, add the washed lettuce, and whirl it around a few times. It sounds silly, but a folded pillow case takes up very little space, stored with my kitchen towels.
Store the lettuce in large plastic bags with a paper towel to absorb moisture; change it every couple days. Your fridge needs to be at 40F ( 4C_ or colder, but not freezing. Use the lettuce within a week.
Here is a handy post on the proper storage of produce (and the uselessness of the crisper drawer).
