Comments on: A Recipe for Keeping Lettuce Fresh and Crisp http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/ Food, Recipes, and Photography Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:32:44 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Food Tips: A Better Morning, A Better Salad - SISTER WISDOM : build a better life http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/comment-page-1/#comment-14945 Food Tips: A Better Morning, A Better Salad - SISTER WISDOM : build a better life Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:01:43 +0000 http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/#comment-14945 [...] dry, and package your lettuce (see here for ideas on best ways to keep it [...] [...] dry, and package your lettuce (see here for ideas on best ways to keep it [...]

]]> By: Kai http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/comment-page-1/#comment-13971 Kai Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:26:11 +0000 http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/#comment-13971 Man..I dont know where i can store another gadget :~) I have never seen shredded red cabbage at the store have you? Man..I dont know where i can store another gadget :~) I have never seen shredded red cabbage at the store have you?

]]> By: Rob http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/comment-page-1/#comment-13109 Rob Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:29:39 +0000 http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/#comment-13109 No need for one of those expensive spinners if you're on a budget.... Rinse everything in the sink, then put the greens in a clean pillowcase in the washing machine on "Spin" cycle. Works great every time, especiallly for a big party. Just turn the pillowcase inside out and wash it next time you do laundry! Just the "Rinse" is enough! Don't beat everything to death! No need for one of those expensive spinners if you’re on a budget….

Rinse everything in the sink, then put the greens in a clean pillowcase in the washing machine on “Spin” cycle.

Works great every time, especiallly for a big party.

Just turn the pillowcase inside out and wash it next time you do laundry!

Just the “Rinse” is enough! Don’t beat everything to death!

]]> By: Lila http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/comment-page-1/#comment-11844 Lila Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:56:39 +0000 http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/#comment-11844 Hi.. Thanks so much for the instructions. I have a question though. When I spin my lettuce, its an OXO Spinner, it never gets completely dry. Am I doing something wrong or are the paper towels meant to absorb whats left of the water? If thats true, won't the paper towels keep the moisture around the outside lettuce? These are probably silly question ,but I truly don't know how to properly fix the lettuce. Thanks! Hi.. Thanks so much for the instructions. I have a question though. When I spin my lettuce, its an OXO Spinner, it never gets completely dry. Am I doing something wrong or are the paper towels meant to absorb whats left of the water? If thats true, won’t the paper towels keep the moisture around the outside lettuce? These are probably silly question ,but I truly don’t know how to properly fix the lettuce. Thanks!

]]> By: Julie http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/comment-page-1/#comment-11480 Julie Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:36:59 +0000 http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/#comment-11480 Thanks for this great tip. I'd read in a cooking magazine that the best way to keep lettuce was to store it in the salad spinner. It may be good for the lettuce, but who has room for a salad spinner in the already crammed refrigerator? I like your method. I think that one of the most wasted foods in my kitchen is lettuce because of the tendency it has to turn to slime. You have given me hope! thanks. Thanks for this great tip. I’d read in a cooking magazine that the best way to keep lettuce was to store it in the salad spinner. It may be good for the lettuce, but who has room for a salad spinner in the already crammed refrigerator? I like your method. I think that one of the most wasted foods in my kitchen is lettuce because of the tendency it has to turn to slime. You have given me hope! thanks.

]]> By: This Month in my Kitchen « Food Matters http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/comment-page-1/#comment-3746 This Month in my Kitchen « Food Matters Fri, 12 Oct 2007 23:58:33 +0000 http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/#comment-3746 [...] this out - a post by Pinch my Salt that has increased the shelf life of my salad greens by 200%! She describes how to soak, wash and [...] [...] this out – a post by Pinch my Salt that has increased the shelf life of my salad greens by 200%! She describes how to soak, wash and [...]

]]> By: Nicole http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/comment-page-1/#comment-3584 Nicole Wed, 03 Oct 2007 05:24:41 +0000 http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/#comment-3584 Cynthia: Another great way to store the lettuce, thanks! TomC: You're right :-) DrBehavior: Oooooh...great recipe! Have you ever tried mixing the dressing inside the wooden salad bowl? I haven't made a caesar salad that way but I've made other types of dressing by mashing the garlic and salt together with a fork on the inside of a wooden bowl to make a smooth paste and then adding the rest of the ingredients and then salad on top. Seems like it might work with this if you don't have a mortar and pestle. Roseanne: Thanks so much for sharing your tip! I know that lots of people really don't have much space and a salad spinner is not very compact! I've tried a version of your technique before when I've had to dry lettuce without a spinner but it's seems like a few pieces of lettuce always manage to jump free :-) Maybe my towel wasn't big enough? Kathryn: Of course regular plastic bags work too! I just like ziplock because it's easier for me to squeeze the air out. Once I get all the air out, the bags are so much easier to store! Maureen: I wish I could see what your salad spinner looks like, I've never seen an old one! And honestly I have never thought about using the washing machine as a giant salad spinner, but why not?? It works exactly the same way! I think I might actually try that sometime :-) Cynthia: Another great way to store the lettuce, thanks!

TomC: You’re right :-)

DrBehavior: Oooooh…great recipe! Have you ever tried mixing the dressing inside the wooden salad bowl? I haven’t made a caesar salad that way but I’ve made other types of dressing by mashing the garlic and salt together with a fork on the inside of a wooden bowl to make a smooth paste and then adding the rest of the ingredients and then salad on top. Seems like it might work with this if you don’t have a mortar and pestle.

Roseanne: Thanks so much for sharing your tip! I know that lots of people really don’t have much space and a salad spinner is not very compact! I’ve tried a version of your technique before when I’ve had to dry lettuce without a spinner but it’s seems like a few pieces of lettuce always manage to jump free :-) Maybe my towel wasn’t big enough?

Kathryn: Of course regular plastic bags work too! I just like ziplock because it’s easier for me to squeeze the air out. Once I get all the air out, the bags are so much easier to store!

Maureen: I wish I could see what your salad spinner looks like, I’ve never seen an old one! And honestly I have never thought about using the washing machine as a giant salad spinner, but why not?? It works exactly the same way! I think I might actually try that sometime :-)

]]> By: Maureen http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/comment-page-1/#comment-3581 Maureen Wed, 03 Oct 2007 01:29:22 +0000 http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/#comment-3581 I have an old salad spinner - looks like an egg beater except where an egg beater has blades that mesh together the salad spinner has a metal bowl with small holes. I hold it by the red handle, turn the crank and the bowl spins around shedding the water. Makes me smile everytime I use it. However, a few years ago a friend taught me her trick which is especially good if washing a large amount of lettuce for a big party or the next two weeks. She puts her lettuce in a clean pillowcase, puts the pillowcase in her washer and sets it on spin for a little bit. Every leaf comes out dry and pristine ready to be dressed. I have an old salad spinner – looks like an egg beater except where an egg beater has blades that mesh together the salad spinner has a metal bowl with small holes. I hold it by the red handle, turn the crank and the bowl spins around shedding the water. Makes me smile everytime I use it. However, a few years ago a friend taught me her trick which is especially good if washing a large amount of lettuce for a big party or the next two weeks. She puts her lettuce in a clean pillowcase, puts the pillowcase in her washer and sets it on spin for a little bit. Every leaf comes out dry and pristine ready to be dressed.

]]> By: kathryn http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/comment-page-1/#comment-3579 kathryn Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:57:11 +0000 http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/#comment-3579 You're exactly right - a salad spinner is a vital piece of kitchen equipment. It's cheap and worth every penny. I wash and dry my leaves, wrap in paper towel and then store in normal plastic bags - using a ziplock bag is a great idea. Years ago, while studying I worked in an organic food shop. We very quickly learnt about refreshing greens in cold weather. Works particularly well for mint too. It's a useful tip, especially during steamy summer weather. You’re exactly right – a salad spinner is a vital piece of kitchen equipment. It’s cheap and worth every penny. I wash and dry my leaves, wrap in paper towel and then store in normal plastic bags – using a ziplock bag is a great idea.

Years ago, while studying I worked in an organic food shop. We very quickly learnt about refreshing greens in cold weather. Works particularly well for mint too. It’s a useful tip, especially during steamy summer weather.

]]> By: Rosanne http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/comment-page-1/#comment-3578 Rosanne Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:53:27 +0000 http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/01/a-recipe-for-keeping-lettuce-fresh-and-crisp/#comment-3578 I kept a salad spinner for a long time but last year I traded its space in cupboard in favour of getting a rice cooker! We use that 2x/week (not just for rice, either) but I still need to dry lettuce FAST, at least 2x/month. So this is what I do now and because it's so "interesting-looking", a few of my neighbours have learned and adopted the technique: 1 - Place washed, rinsed greens on a large, clean, dry towel on the counter. 2 - Gather up the towel corners etc. so that you end up with a sack of greens. 3 - Hold SECURELY CLOSED with your hand(s) and fling the whole thing in a little arc into your sink, or your bathtub/shower, or (like me) outside or anywhere you feel comfortable with the water ending up. 4 - It's important not to let the towel (and consequently your greens) go as you do this! It's the small, easy tip that makes all the difference. :-] You'll see the water forced out through the sack by the centrifugal force, same thing that makes the salad spinner work. Open up the towel on your counter and use or store the greens as usual. Hope this helps anybody who can't or won't spare the cupboard space for a salad spinner -- There is still no reason not to have wonderful fresh lettuce available always. I kept a salad spinner for a long time but last year I traded its space in cupboard in favour of getting a rice cooker! We use that 2x/week (not just for rice, either) but I still need to dry lettuce FAST, at least 2x/month.

So this is what I do now and because it’s so “interesting-looking”, a few of my neighbours have learned and adopted the technique:

1 – Place washed, rinsed greens on a large, clean, dry towel on the counter.
2 – Gather up the towel corners etc. so that you end up with a sack of greens.
3 – Hold SECURELY CLOSED with your hand(s) and fling the whole thing in a little arc into your sink, or your bathtub/shower, or (like me) outside or anywhere you feel comfortable with the water ending up.
4 – It’s important not to let the towel (and consequently your greens) go as you do this! It’s the small, easy tip that makes all the difference. :-]

You’ll see the water forced out through the sack by the centrifugal force, same thing that makes the salad spinner work. Open up the towel on your counter and use or store the greens as usual. Hope this helps anybody who can’t or won’t spare the cupboard space for a salad spinner — There is still no reason not to have wonderful fresh lettuce available always.

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