Simply Balisha

Simply Balisha

Friday, July 25, 2014

Wilted Lettuce

 I grew a romaine type lettuce this year. I think the name was Green Towers. I picked the leaves as they grew and ate these many times since spring. Then I let it grow into bunches. Yesterday, I picked 4 bunches of this delicious lettuce. There were no holes in the leaves...no limp, squishy, leaves underneath. Just perfect beautiful heads of crispy lettuce. As I picked them, I had a plan in mind. My lunch would be a wilted lettuce salad. Here's how I made it:
After washing and spinning the water out I put the bowl back in the fridge to keep it cold and crisp while I fried some bacon. After the bacon was done, I pulled it out of the pan and kept some of the bacon grease in the iron skillet. I added a small chopped onion to the pan along with 1/4c cider vinegar, 1/4c water, 4 tsp sugar, salt and pepper. I cooked this mixture for a little while... whisking while it cooked. Then I assembled the salad. First the broken up lettuce leaves, then some sliced radishes, then I took a hard cooked egg and crumbled it over the top. I crumbled the bacon and put that on top. Then the heavenly warm bacon dressing on top of that. It was so simple and delicious. 
This salad has been a favorite of mine since I was five yrs. old. During the war, I stayed at my Grandma's while Mom worked. Her neighbor, Mrs. Fowler, had a nice garden. One day she invited me to lunch and this is what we had. I loved it and hoped that she would invite me again. Who would have thought that a five yr. old would like a salad like this? 
Reminds me of the first time I took our new grand daughters to lunch. I asked where they wanted to go and they said, Wendy's. We got to the restaurant and stood in line to order. My little 3 and 5 yr olds both said, "I'll have the salad bar." (at that time Wendy's had a salad bar) I looked at these two little ones with surprise...salad bar?? I never would have thought that they would order a meal like this. It's been a favorite story of mine as they have grown into young women...who still love salads.
I have to go get ready to leave for the pool. When I get home, I'm going to Elizabeth's for tea.
Have a nice day...
Balisha
 I added this at the last....I forgot to take a picture of the salad until it was half gone. It was so good....I couldn't wait.
I'm taking Elizabeth one of my Star Gazer lilies and a loaf of Ernestine's zucchini bread. All I needed was one stem of this lily to make a nice little bouquet. I don't think she has these in her yard. She does have the most beautiful border of purple coneflowers.

17 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Isn't it funny how we forget things that we loved to eat long ago? By the way, Elizabeth loved your zucchini bread. She liked the addition of pineapple.

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  2. Oh we must be blog sisters! I adore that wilted lettuce salad from childhood, and I have the same Star Gazer lily bouquet in my kitchen, from my patio plants. I just picked one lily, they are large and spectacular and have a nice scent. Happy Friday.

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    1. I think that we might be kindred spirits. I agree with your comment on how spectacular the lilies are this year. So much bigger than in the past. I came in the house and the fragrance was beautiful.

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  3. My mother always made wilted salad but with fried country ham. Even as a child, I begged for it!
    Have fun swimming. I know Elizabeth will love the stargazer lily.

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    1. I usually make it with black seeded simpson type lettuce. I haven't had it with this type. I actually like it better...it holds up under the toppers better.
      She did love the lily. I don't think that she ever saw one before.

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  4. My Grandma made that salad and I always loved it!! Love my Star Gazer lilies right now--so fragrant, by my front porch steps, I can smell them from my living room chair! Know you will have fun with Elizabeth.

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    1. it seems that everybody's grandma made this. I guess it was easy to make, they had the ingredients handy, and it used simple lettuce from the garden.

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  5. I have fond memories of that salad when as a teenager my good friend's grandmother made it whenever we stayed at her lakefront home. It was delicious!

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    1. This must be a salad that was made numerous times back when we were growing up. I know you are much younger than I...but you know what i mean.

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  6. Ummmm! What a nice day and what a great salad, Balisha!

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  7. Balisha, you have my mouth watering with the thought of that delicious salad...and it's not even 9 am!
    Hope you enjoyed tea with your friend. That sounds like a lovely way to spend a summer afternoon.
    Beautiful stargazer lily!

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    1. I often find my mouth watering at food on blog posts. i think that most bloggers must be good cooks.

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  8. Saturday - just made your salad - a little different as no radishes on hand and in high 90's and with arthur do not feel like a trip to the store:)
    So as usual less ingredients for just this one, a tablespoon of diced fresh tomato and chopped same amount of green pepper
    that was sitting on cabinet. Oh it was so good. Monday will pick up radishes.
    Jamie's birthday in August and will add this to family dinner - thank you.

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  9. I've made substitutions too, when I don't have radishes. Your additions sound so good. I hope your family enjoys it.
    It's such a simple salad...don't know why I don't have it more often.

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  10. I am definitely enjoying your website. You definitely have some great insight and great stories. https://vietnamesebestfood.wordpress.com/

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