Using brisk cutting motions, cut lettuce only if you plan to use it right away; cutting tends to split lettuce in the middle of cell. Tear lettuce for meals that you want to keep for later; tearing lettuce tends to break it along the natural cell walls.
Is it OK to cut lettuce?
Q: It used to be forbidden to cut lettuce with a knife. Only tearing by hand or cutting with a plastic knife was acceptable.
Is it better to tear lettuce or cut it?
Many cooks believe that when lettuce touches metal, it will react and prematurely turn brown. But it really doesn’t make a difference whether you tear or cut; lettuce turns brown at almost the same rate, give or take a day.
What happens if you cut lettuce with a knife?
As you may have noticed when you cut lettuce with a metal knife, the metal reacts with the lettuce, creating unsightly brown, slightly wilted edges. Plastic does not stimulate a reaction, and the serrated edge of the knife cuts crisply through lettuce without tearing it.
Should you not cut lettuce with a knife?
The most important is to never cut the lettuce with your table knife. If you do encounter an oversized leaf, maneuver your fork and knife to fold it into a bite-sized packet, which you may then pop into your mouth.
Why do the French eat salad after dinner?
European-trained chef Karl Guggenmos explains that in France, diners believe that a green salad consumed after a main course can assist with digestion. “Since salads are rich in fiber, they will aid in the digestion of the food eaten before.
Why don’t you cut lettuce with a metal knife?
The enemy of lettuce is time plus oxygen, not metal. Exposing the inside of a head of lettuce to oxygen is going to hasten its breakdown, whether you cut it with plastic, metal or a laser beam. It’s going to turn brown.
How long will chopped lettuce last in the fridge?
Shredded or cut lettuce lasts about one week in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight storage bag or container. On the other hand, a whole head of lettuce lasts up to three weeks in the refrigerator with proper storage.
Do you need to wash a head of iceberg lettuce?
Do I Need to Wash Lettuce? Yes, it’s important to wash all fresh produce, but especially leafy greens and lettuce. Harmful bacteria from the soil can contaminate fruits and vegetables and lead to a foodborne illness if consumed.
Is it proper etiquette to cut salad?
Large pieces of lettuce or other salad greens can be cut with a fork or, if they’re particularly springy, with a knife and fork. Just don’t cut salad into smaller pieces all at one time.
Why does lettuce go brown when you cut it?
When lettuce leaves are torn, some cells are damaged and the browning reaction begins. But even if there is no tearing, even if we have a whole head of lettuce, there will eventually be browning. That’s because aging of the cells also leads to damage and mixing of the polyphenols with the enzyme.
Is it rude to cut salad?
Never cut the lettuce in salad because it’s considered rude. Salads in France (and many other European countries) are meant to be folded up and eaten with a fork, not cut.
Do Italians eat salad before or after meal?
Serving salad after the main course of a meal is an older tradition in Italy, and nowadays it is usually observed at large and formal dinners rather than during everyday meals. Eating a salad after a meal can help digestion, while eating one before a meal may help discourage overeating.
Why do people eat salad first?
“Salad wants to move through the body faster than denser food.” Putting raw, water-packed vegetables into your body first helps to lubricate your digestive path, and acts as “an enzymatic spark,” she says, one that makes it easier to later move heavier food through the body.
What comes first soup or salad?
When soup is served for a luncheon or dinner, Emily Post’s “Etiquette” offers the following advice: —Soup should be the first of six courses. It should be followed by fish, the entree, salad, dessert and coffee.
What is a 9 course meal?
9 course meal: A 9 course dinner menu includes an hors d’oeuvre, soup, appetizer, salad, fish, main course, palate cleanser, dessert, and mignardise.
Why do the French keep their hands on the table?
Both the Anglo-Saxon and French traditions go back to the Middle Ages, where food was served on long tables, with occupants sitting on benches next to each other. What is this? Elbows were meant to be kept close to one’s side, so you don’t accidentally hit your neighbor.
How do restaurants keep lettuce crisp?
Lettuce actually needs a good amount of airflow, in addition to a bit of moisture, in order to stay crisp. That’s why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow for air circulation while it’s held in the fridge.
What is the best way to cut lettuce for a salad?
To chop your lettuce into chunks for a salad, hold the lettuce so you are cutting from the leafier end first and chop it into one-inch or bite-sized chunks. If you want thinner or smaller strips or ribbons that you can use as a garnish or as a topping, simply chop the lettuce into thinner quarter-inch slices.
How do you clean lettuce for a salad?
Swish Greens in Cool Water
Fill a large bowl or a clean sink with plenty of cool water. Add the lettuce or greens and swish them around to loosen and remove any dirt. Dirt and debris will sink to the bottom while the greens will magically float above all that mess.
Does rust on lettuce hurt you?
Thrive Cuisine confirms that reddened lettuce, however, is still safe to eat. The enzymes present during this stage present no harm whatsoever to your digestive system, but the lettuce will have lost a good amount of its flavor and nutritional value. Plus, it’s not exactly visually appetizing.