Lettuce and Fruit 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.

Lettuce and Fruit Salad
Serves 2

2 cups shredded Lettuce
1/2 cup fresh strawberries, quartered
1/4 cup fresh orange
6 green grapes, halved
6 red grapes, halved
1/8 cup shredded cheese
2 tablespoons sliced slmonds
2 tablespoons Craisins

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss. Drizzle dressing over salad.

Paprika Salad Dressing

1/2 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
1/4 teaspoon Paprika
1/2 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoons Dried Minced Onion
1 teaspoon Sesame Seeds

Cook sugar and vinegar over high heat until sugar is dissolved. Cool and refrigerate overnight. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

I'm Alexandria Marx, the Yum Expert and everyday home kitchen cook blogging about family friendly foods from around the world that are easy to make, nutritious, decadent and delicious. Wife, mother, diabetic. If you enjoyed this post, please tweet your friends and followers. Thanks.