Tip of the Iceberg Lettuce
Iceberg for a while now has been the lettuce left in the corner and I can understand why when you eat a leaf on its own. Low in flavour and nutritional value, on face value I can see why people want to flirt with the likes of raddicio’s bitterness or rocket’s peppery flavours.
In the USA iceberg is the still the most popular lettuce. It was breed with a much higher water content to stop it spoiling when being transported and also to make it fridge friendly. That was ok if all you want an all-year round vegetable… but it does also explain the reason behind the lack of flavour!
With everything going against it, iceberg is not a bad product if you know what you are dealing with and only a bit of culinary effort is required to make some very enjoyable dishes. The crisp and vessel like shape of its individual leaves is the key, making it the perfect vehicle to carry other flavours. Fillings such as a simple creamy blue cheese such as Dorset Blue Vinney topped with crumbled bacon, or shredded chicken with aioli and cracked black pepper, or even crushed roast tomatoes with anchovies all make the humble iceberg lettuce leave a tasty delight and I encourage you to create some of your own.
However, credit where credit is due, as it was Dani Venn who inspired me to write this blog, it is only fair that I refer you to her very healthy and nutritional website http://thewholeheartedcook.com/
