Monday, August 12, 2013

Making Lettuce Last

Wanna know a secret?

If you have been to a Pampered Chef party recently, you may have learned this...
...or maybe you already do this and I'm the slow one :) 
It's really not a secret at all but I have found that many people have not heard of it.
This keeps lettuce fresh longer than any other way I have ever known!


I like romaine so this is what I buy.
I assume this works with any kind of lettuce


First, tear or break...don't cut the core ends from lettuce.


Then separate the leaves and rinse in cold water. Let drain in a colander.


You will need a large stainless steel bowl. If it has a lid, awesome!
If not, aluminum foil works great.

Line the bowl with a few layers of paper towels.


After lettuce has drained, carefully pat the leaves dry with more paper towels.


Place the leaves in the bowl and add another couple of layers of paper towels on top.


Cover bowl with lid or foil and store on regular shelf in the fridge....not the vegetable compartment.




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43 comments:

  1. Cottage and BroomeAugust 12, 2013 at 3:38 PM

    Wow a great tip, thanks for sharing! I find wrapping the leaves in a damp tea towel also works well. Have a great week, Laura

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    1. Debby RayAugust 12, 2013 at 4:32 PM

      I think the key is getting it out of the bag and getting most of the water off...plus the metal bowl keeps it really cold!

      Delete
  2. SharonAugust 12, 2013 at 4:24 PM

    Interesting tip! I really like Romaine lettuce, too. It's just crispier to start with, huh?

    Do you think the wet paper towel would help keep ME from wilting, too?? :)

    GOD BLESS!

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    1. Debby RayAugust 12, 2013 at 4:34 PM

      Lol...it might! I was surprised how long it lasted...and so crispy...just like in a restaurant :)

      Delete
  3. Phyllis @Around the HouseAugust 12, 2013 at 4:26 PM

    I have never tried this, anything that makes anything in the frig last longer to me is a very good thing...it is then all ready to go too...love that... Hope to see you over for a visit, I have some watermelon for you...Phyllis

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    1. Debby RayAugust 12, 2013 at 4:36 PM

      Yum...I love me some watermelon :) I am the only one who eats the lettuce...hubby doesn't like romaine. I kid you not, it lasts for weeks! Coming to see you now!

      Delete
  4. AnonymousAugust 12, 2013 at 8:37 PM

    HI Debby! Oh, I did not know this and will have to try it. Thanks so much for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. Debby RayAugust 13, 2013 at 2:48 AM

      Sheila,

      I was amazed the first time I tried it! Let me know how it works for you!

      Debby

      Delete
  5. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeAugust 12, 2013 at 11:33 PM

    I've never heard this, can't wait to try it! Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday!!!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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    1. Debby RayAugust 13, 2013 at 2:52 AM

      Cindy, I found this out from a Pampered Chef party I attended several months ago and I have not used my lettuce keeper or the crisper drawer for lettuce ever since! The aluminum bowl keeps it extremely crisp and cold. Let me know if you try it!

      Have a blessed week :)

      Debby

      Delete
  6. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeAugust 13, 2013 at 3:37 AM

    Now this I have to try. Thanks tons for the tip and thanks for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, marty

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    1. Debby RayAugust 13, 2013 at 6:04 AM

      You are welcome, Marty! Let me know if you try it!

      Delete
  7. An Oasis in the DesertAugust 13, 2013 at 6:52 AM

    Great idea that I will definitely try! I think Romaine lasts better than other lettuces, anyway, but usually not long enough before wilting begins. Do you think it makes a difference if you use a stainless bowl or some other kind? I do always wash and dry my lettuces using my salad spinner. Getting that excess water off the leaves is very important. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Debby RayAugust 13, 2013 at 7:14 AM

      Carol,

      Hi...thanks for your interest! I absolutely think the stainless steel bowl is the key to keeping it fresh. The paper towels help to absorb the moisture which can increase the spoiling but the metal bowl keeps it so cold and crispy! I was astounded when I first tried this. Even after getting as much of the water out that I could, my plastic lettuce keeper never did this. Good luck and let me know how it works out for you!

      Debby

      Delete
  8. Julie NicholsAugust 13, 2013 at 12:12 PM

    I love eating a salad. Great idea....Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Debby RayAugust 13, 2013 at 4:01 PM

    Thanks for stopping by :)

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  10. CeilAugust 14, 2013 at 9:28 AM

    Hi Debby! My Mom used to do all those steps with lettuce, but not the foil thing. No wonder it was all soggy! It's all in the foil!

    I am usually the last one to hear about anything, Debby, you will always fascinate me! LOL!
    Ceil

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    1. Debby RayAugust 14, 2013 at 11:05 AM

      Ceil,

      The Pampered Chef girl was demonstrating their set of SS mixing bowls and they actually had plastic lids. She said foil would work just as well. I actually think it adds to the coldness factor. Even if the lettuce goes limp, a day or so in the fridge crisps it up again! I have had last 3 plus weeks! I will never buy bagged lettuce again...except when my hubby wants shredded for tacos, etc. :)

      Delete
  11. AnonymousAugust 14, 2013 at 7:12 PM

    Hi Debby! Thank you so much for your sweet comments on my tablescape.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Barefoot Hippie GirlAugust 15, 2013 at 6:39 AM

    Okay, now I am going to have to try this. Stopping by from Grace at Home.

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    Replies
    1. Debby RayAugust 15, 2013 at 7:02 AM

      Bernadette,

      Thanks for stopping by! I have never found any other way that works as good as this! Let me know how it works for you!

      Blessings,
      Debby

      Delete
  13. Tarnished RoyaltyAugust 16, 2013 at 7:16 AM

    Great tip, now I need to get a stainless steel bowl. I wonder if it works for baby spinach. Have a great weekend! ~Ann at Tarnished Royalty

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  14. Debby RayAugust 16, 2013 at 8:52 AM

    Ann...thanks for stopping by! I would think that it should work for spinach too...it might not last as long as the romaine but probably longer than what it would normally. If you try it, I would like to know how it worked for you!

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  15. DIY Vintage ChicAugust 16, 2013 at 8:53 AM

    Going to give this a try! We waste so much romaine. Thanks for sharing this tip. Stop by my Friday's Five Features and link up this post (and others)! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/08/fridays-five-features-no-4.html

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    1. Debby RayAugust 16, 2013 at 12:41 PM

      Hey Becca!

      Thanks for inviting me to share... I did :)

      Blessings,
      Debby

      Delete
    2. DIY Vintage ChicAugust 19, 2013 at 9:43 AM

      Debby ~ Thanks for stopping by DIY Vintage Chic’s Friday’s Five Features and Fun Festivities. Don’t forget to stop back by this Friday!

      Delete
  16. the cape on the cornerAugust 16, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    I am totally going to try this! thanks!

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    1. Debby RayAugust 16, 2013 at 12:42 PM

      Thanks for the visit! Let me know how it works for you :)

      Delete
  17. MindyAugust 16, 2013 at 3:14 PM

    Visiting from Imparting Grace : ) I am so excited to try this tip! We grow a lot of lettuce in the garden so this will come in handy ~ thank you.

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    1. MindyAugust 16, 2013 at 3:15 PM

      PS: Your blog header makes me want to come visit - how cute!

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    2. Debby RayAugust 16, 2013 at 4:01 PM

      Mindy..thank you...and for visiting! You are welcome anytime! Let me know how the lettuce keeping works for you!

      Have a great weekend :)

      Delete
  18. KathyAugust 20, 2013 at 7:21 PM

    Really! I buy my lettuce the same way - I'll give this a try! I am Delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  19. Debby RayAugust 20, 2013 at 7:39 PM

    Kathy...just to let you know...I prepared the lettuce in this post about a week and a half ago. Tonight, I opened it up to chop some up for on top of my burrito and it was cold and crisp and still very fresh. I will never keep lettuce any other way and will never buy bagged romaine again!

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  20. Richella ParhamAugust 21, 2013 at 12:35 PM

    Thank you so much, Debby! I've thrown away more romaine than I care to remember--I'm going to try this!!

    Thanks so much for joining Grace at Home--I'm featuring you this week! :)

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    1. Debby RayAugust 21, 2013 at 2:49 PM

      Awesome, Richella...thank you so much! I was telling one of my other commenters yesterday that the lettuce in my post was prepared almost two weeks ago and when I got some out yesterday, it was still so crispy and fresh! It really is a great way to store it!

      Delete
  21. Kathy OlsonAugust 22, 2013 at 6:05 AM

    I've never heard of this. Thanks!!

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    1. Debby RayAugust 22, 2013 at 6:43 AM

      Kathy...thanks for stopping by! Let me know how it works for you :)

      Delete
  22. Paula@SweetPeaAugust 23, 2013 at 7:00 AM

    I'm visiting from Imparting Grace. Thanks for sharing your great tip.

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    1. Debby RayAugust 23, 2013 at 9:29 AM

      Thanks for visiting...hope it works for you!

      Debby

      Delete
  23. GratefulPrayerThankfulHeartSeptember 8, 2013 at 1:21 PM

    I so appreciate you sharing this tip! Will use it the next time I have lettuce to save :)

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  24. Debby RaySeptember 8, 2013 at 5:11 PM

    Let me know how it works for you!

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  25. Jeannie and LindaSeptember 11, 2013 at 11:05 AM

    Fab post Debby! Thanks for the great tip! So much easier to get out to serve as well. I need all the encouragement I can get to eat more salads!

    Blessings,
    Linda and Jeannie at The French Hens Nest

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  26. StephanieApril 25, 2015 at 4:18 PM

    Well, isn't this simply fabulous, my friend! :) Thanks for the great tip and thanks for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Happy hugs!

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Thank you for stopping by today! Your sweet comments are such an encouragement to me.