This is a very simple salad which uses the whole head, the vinaigrette is brushed on each leaf (I love this) seasoned with salt and pepper and sprinkled with fresh herbs. Some times a no-fuss salad with a basic vinaigrette (2 vinegars and EVOO) is just the answer. I loved the idea/presentation of a whole head of butter lettuce with no wasted vinaigrette in the bottom of the bowl. Serves 4 perfectly…
This recipe comes from Eric Ripert’s “Vegetable Simple” cookbook (2020). As the name implies most of the recipes are short on ingredients but long on taste. I heard about this cookbook through another blogger Bernadette Laganella who posted a recipe using a whole cauliflower from this cookbook – https://newclassicrecipe.com/2021/05/03/cauliflower-a-tale-of-three-friends/
As I already had a good recipe for a whole cauliflower I looked at all the other veggie recipes and this one got my attention. I usually have butter lettuce growing right now but had to make do with “the living lettuce” I can get at the grocery.
Most food bloggers collect recipes – I have way too many on my “to make” list but I also love my cookbooks, I guess that partly comes from being a former librarian/teacher and someone who loves not only books but food and sharing with everyone. My last post and this one introduced me to two new cookbooks I will use and they will not collect dust on my bookshelf. I’m supposed to be moving in less than a year so I have to quit buying cookbooks!
Whole Butter Lettuce Salad
- large head of butter lettuce
- 2 tsp. aged sherry vinegar
- 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp. EVOO
- fine sea salt and freshly ground white pepper (I did use kosher salt and black pepper)
- fresh tarragon leaves, finely minced (don’t used dried)
- fresh chives, finely minced
Combine the two vinegars and salt and white pepper to taste; slowly whisk in the EVOO. This vinaigrette is really nice and just enough to cover 1 head of butter lettuce.
Using a pastry brush paint each lettuce leaf with the vinaigrette. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, the tarragon and chives. Quarter and serve immediately. Serve any extra vinaigrette on the side.
The salad is simple, tasty, light and the fresh tarragon is the perfect herb to use with its licorice undertones. Not into tarragon? Try fresh basil instead or maybe fresh dill…
Recipe by cookingwithauntjujucom
This looks like a great find, simple yet so elegant and sophisticated.
Cookbooks indeed give a more profound culinary experience than food blogs, but they do present a real challenge when moving often. 🙂
Thanks Ronit – I think so. The idea of “painting” the leaves is a win-win for me. I have a tendency to add too much dressing and this solves it. Looks pretty too with the shiny leaves and no fancy additions 🙂
i love cookbooks! maybe it’s because i used to be a librarian too 🙂
Librarians have to enjoy books and if you’re a foodie/cook you would enjoy cookbooks especially 🙂
Wonderful! I love Eric Ripert, although I don’t have this latest book. He’s such a perfectionist. Great salad, and I have some butter lettuce in the fridge right now…
I love how simple this cookbook is, just like this salad. Interesting to read what he enjoys… Butter lettuce is so good and has always been a favorite and now even more so.
How decadent. I know it’s crazy to feel that way about a vegetable, but I can’t help myself. 🌿🍃🥬
Butter lettuce is so soft and “buttery” – I could eat it every day and I can see why you would love it as I do too 🙂
Eric Ripert’s cookbook seems to be popular with a lot of food bloggers. The whole butter lettuce does make for a pretty presentation.
Eric has been popular for a long time ever since he opened his restaurant Le Bernardin. In “Simply Vegetables” he shows how easy it is to make a tasty recipe with a few ingredients and less fat.
Cookbooks are definitely my weakness as well. I love to pull them out on a rainy (don’t I wish) and peruse them.
I read my cookbooks every time I want to prop my feet up inside to watch the news or outside to enjoy the fresh air. I have favorites but need to make some recipes from so many others…
Unfortunately they are an addiction with me. Definitely a DNA thing as my mother was the same. She used to say a book was worth the money if she found even one good recipe.