What You Can Do To Make Lettuce Crisp
Healthy eating has been a major mantra in the wave of wellness trends that have dominated our culture for well over a decade, and adding leafy lettuce and other greens to your diet is definitely part of that equation. But if you are like most households, you probably find yourself buying iceberg or red leaf lettuce well before you plan to use it, only to open up the refrigerator to find it wilted or worse. Luckily there are great tricks and tips to resuscitate the foundational ingredient of your salads and sandwiches.
Whether you are prepping to make a salad the night before or need to make one on the fly, these hacks will ensure your greens and veggies are deliciously crisp. If you are prepping for a dinner party and realize that your lettuce is not as perky and crunchy as you like it, place your lettuce and chopped up crunchy vegetables — broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, and the likes — in a bowl and cover all of it with water and put it in the fridge until you are ready to serve (via Quick and Dirty Tricks). While this is a great trick to use when you have a little time, what about when you need to get it crisp quickly?
Water is the key to crisping up your lettuce
The key to reviving your wilted greens in a pinch is simple: plentiful and hydrating H2O. Water is at the heart of the magic elixir that will put the crisp texture back into your lettuce. According to Quick and Dirty Tricks, to restore the vitality of your lettuce take a bowl and fill it with cold water and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Immerse your lettuce in this mixture and allow it to set for five to ten minutes. It will be good as if it had just been picked.
Similarly, Berta Jay has a trick for wilted greens. She suggests taking a bowl and filling it with two to three cups of water and some ice cubes. Cut the bottom stems off the leaves or stalks — about an inch — and place them into the ice water. Place in the refrigerator overnight and the greens will begin to drink the water and crisp up, so much so you can not only see the change, but you can hear that crispiness. Eating Well, notes that you will want to pat all your vegetables dry before you prepare or eat them as they may have more water than usual. That said, this will not affect their flavor.