Simplest Lettuce Salad

Lettuce is a leaf vegetable first cultivated by ancient Egyptians. There are several types of lettuce. The leaf, head and romaine are common. Iceberg lettuce is popular lettuce in the US. Butterhead, too.

Most lettuce is used in salads either alone or with other greens, vegetables, meats and cheeses. Romaine lettuce is often used for Caesar salads, with a dressing that includes anchovies and eggs. Lettuce leaves can also be found in soups, sandwiches and wraps, while the stems are eaten both raw and cooked.

The Romans likewise claimed that it increased sexual potency. Lettuce has mild narcotic properties; it was called "sleepwort" by the Anglo-Saxons. Spain is the world's largest exporter of lettuce with the US ranking second.

Lettuce extracts are sometimes used in skin creams and lotions for treating sunburn and rough skin. Folk medicine makes claims that lettuce is a treatment for pain, rheumatism, tension and nervousness, coughs and mental instability.

Depending on the variety, lettuce is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin K and potassium, with higher concentrations of vitamin A found in darker green lettuces.

Simplest Lettuce Salad
Serves 4

Lettuce
2 large lemons
Olive oil
Sugar

Wash lettuce. Separate lettuce from the cluster. If the lettuce is from the garden, then you will need to soak it in salt water to make sure it's clean. Rinse well and pat dry or use a salad spinner.

Cut or tear lettuce in smaller sizes, preferable large pieces and place on a tray or bowl. Set aside.

Squeeze lemon juice into cup, and add sugar. The amount of sugar should be enough to have a thick syrup-like consistency. Mix it very well that the sugar crystals are not visible. Put a small amount of olive oil into the "syrup". Mix well.

Use a spoon to spread the lemon syrup on the cut salad. Mix lightly. Slice the tomatoes and onions and add them to your salad.

Substitute lemon juice for flavored vinegar, if preferred.