David Tanis

Braised Lettuce and Sweet Peas

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Preparation info

  • Difficulty

    Easy

  • Serves

    4 to 6

Appears in

top 1000One Good Dish

One Good Dish

By David Tanis

Published 2013

  • About

If your great-great-grandmother was French or British, she would have known how to braise lettuce. Although braised lettuce was once a rather common dish, it’s rarely seen in the twenty-first century. To me, the concept still has great appeal, but it’s best when the lettuce is cooked just until tender. Add sweet peas if you are making this in the spring or summer; otherwise, skip them and just add the herbs. Any kind of sturdy head will work for this dish: Little Gem or romaine lettuce is a good choice.

Ingredients

  • 6 Little Gem lettuces or 2 small heads romaine
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • Salt and pepper
  • ½ cup chopped ham
  • 1 cup shelled peas
  • ½ cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped mint

Method

If using Little Gem lettuces, trim the bottoms and discard the tough outer leaves. Cut lengthwise in half, rinse briefly, and drain. If using romaine, cut the heads into quarters.

In a wide large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the ham, peas, and broth, and bring to a simmer. Add the lettuces in one layer and sprinkle lightly with salt. Put on the lid and let steam for about 5 minutes, until the lettuce is tender.

Stir in the chopped parsley and mint.

© 2013 All rights reserved. Published by Workman Publishing.