Most people think there are two kinds of lettuce…iceberg and romaine. Here is a listing of many other kinds of lettuce that will excite your taste buds. Use them alone or mix different kinds together for a delightful combination.

Loose Leaf Lettuce
- Mild in flavor
- Great with vinaigrette dressings
- 3-5 days shelf life

Red Leaf Lettuce
- Tangy yet sweet flavor
- Great source of antioxidents
- 3 day shelf life

Romaine Lettuce
- Used mostly in Caesar salads
- Texture is crisp and crunchy
- 5 day shelf life

Butterhead Lettuce
- Mild buttery taste
- Works well with herb flavors
- 2-3 day shelf life

Iceberg Lettuce
- Light green color
- Water content is more than 90%
- 5 day shelf life

Arugula
- Used mostly in Italian salad dishes
- Tastes great with avocado
- 3 day shelf life

Spinach
- Can be served raw, boiled, steamed or even wilted
- Excellent source of iron
- 3-5 day shelf life

Dandelion Greens
- Tangy taste with a nutty flavor
- Taste great with oils
- 1-2 day shelf life

Belgian Endive
- Bitter taste
- Adds texture and flavor to salad recipes
- 3-5 day shelf life

Radicchio
- Bittersweet taste
- Can be substituted for endive
- 3-5 day shelf life

Change up your lettuce for a healthy yet just as tasty salad!

In a glass bowl, starting with your lettuce, layer the ingredients. Keep salad in your refrigerator overnight before serving.

Most people think a tossed salad should be lettuce, tomatoes, and a few garnishments thrown into a salad bowl. Here are a few tips to make your tossed salad a hit at your next family gathering!

- Always handle salad greens with care.

- Wash, drain and dry greens before storing and chill the greens quite well before using.

- To core lettuce, hit the stem head with the end down on the counter top and twist the core out.

- Tear the greens into bite size pieces with your hands instead of using a knife. Metal will make your greens turn brown faster than just tearing with your hands.

- Do not cut tomatoes for a tossed salad. The juice from the tomato will thin your salad dressing and wilt your tomatoes. Instead, use cherry tomatoes in your salad for a nice flavor and to preserve your delicious salad recipe.

- If you are using cucumbers, be careful for highly polished skins. The cucumbers probably have been waxed. Slice the skin off and then add the cucumbers to your healthy salad.

- Use wild greens such as dandelion, sorrel or winter cress for a different flavorful salad.

Remember these tips the next time you make a tossed salad!

Quick and Easy Taco Salad

1 package of ground beef or ground turkey.

1 onion (diced)

1 pepper (diced)

1 tomato

1 package of lettcue

1 package of 2% cheddar cheese

2 tsp of sour cream

1 jar of salsa

- Brown your package of ground beef/turkey along with the diced onions and peppers

- Place the cooked meat on a bed of lettuce

- Add shredded 2% cheddar cheese, tomatoes and sour cream

- Finish with a topping of salsa

- Add a few nacho chips for the taco flavor

Enjoy!