Little Gem Lettuce Salad Recipes

LITTLE GEM SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Still whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in both oils and continue to whisk until the dressing is completely emulsified. (Alternatively, place all the vinaigrette ingredients in a small jar, screw on the lid, and shake until completely emulsified.)
• In a large bowl, gently toss the lettuce, parsley, dill, radishes, shallot, chives, and walnuts.
• Drizzle the salad greens with the walnut vinaigrette and gently toss again. Season with salt and pepper and toss one last time, making sure each leaf is coated with the vinaigrette. Taste and add more vinaigrette or salt and pepper, if needed. (If you have leftover vinaigrette, you can refrigerate it in a lidded jar for up to several days.)
• Transfer the salad to a large platter or serving bowl. Using a vegetable peeler, shave strips of ricotta salata over the top. Finish, if desired, with a drizzle of walnut oil. Serve immediately.

LITTLE GEM SALAD WITH GARLICKY ALMOND DRESSING

Steps:

• Remove wilted exterior leaves from each head of lettuce. Cut stems from the lettuce heads, separate leaves and swish in a large basin of cold water, letting any sand or dirt sink to the bottom. Lift the leaves from the water and transfer to a colander. Shake away excess water. Wrap in kitchen towels to dry or use a salad spinner.
• Make the dressing: Put almonds, vinegar and garlic in a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Put leaves in a wide salad bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Dress lightly just before serving, using 2 or 3 tablespoons of dressing and coating leaves well. Taste and add more dressing as necessary. Store any remaining dressing in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

LITTLE GEM SALAD WITH HORSERADISH DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons capers (patted dry) and fry until crisp, about 2 minutes. Remove with a spoon; drain on paper towels. Toss 1 minced small shallot with 2 teaspoons lemon juice in a large bowl; let sit 10 minutes, then whisk in 1/2 cup creme fraiche, 2 tablespoons horseradish (drained), 1 teaspoon each lemon zest, Dijon mustard and kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Add 4 small heads Little Gem lettuce and 2 heads red endive (leaves separated), 1 cup sugar snap peas (strings removed and sliced), 6 thinly sliced radishes and 1/3 cup chopped dill; toss. Top with the fried capers.

LITTLE GEM LETTUCE WITH GREEN GODDESS DRESSING

Steps:

• Blend anchovies, garlic, mayonnaise, sour cream, basil, parsley, tarragon, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, and 4 1/2 tsp. oil in a blender until smooth with only a few flecks of green; season dressing with salt.
• Combine lettuce, radishes, and remaining 1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. lemon juice in a large bowl, drizzle with oil, and season with salt; toss to combine.
• Top salad with a few spoonfuls of dressing; reserve remaining dressing for another use (like a turkey sandwich!).
• Do Ahead
• Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

LITTLE GEM LETTUCE SALAD

Steps:

• For the Beets: Roast beets in a 350°F oven until cooked through. Remove from oven and let cool. Peel and cut into quarters; mix together the sherry vinegar, maple syrup and 4 tablespoons of the olive oil. Toss beets in dressing and sprinkle with sunflower seeds. For the Croutons: Slice the bread as thinly as possible; drizzle generously with olive oil. Toast in 350°F oven until crisp light golden color. For the Mozzarella: Slice 4 leaves of the basil into very fine strips. Cut the bocconcini mozzarella balls in half; season with salt and pepper, basil, and a few drops of olive oil. For the Tomatoes: Cut the tomatoes in half; season with salt, pepper, and a few drops of olive oil. For the Balsamic dressing: Mix vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt and pepper; whisk in olive oil. For the Fried Basil Chips: Heat oil to 375°F and fry remaining basil leaves until crisp (approximately 10 seconds). Season chips lightly with salt. To serve: Cut the gem lettuce into quarters lengthwise, and place 4 on each plate. Place the tomatoes, mozzarella and beets sporadically on salad; top with the croutons and fried basil. Spoon vinaigrette on top, and serve.