Butter Lettuce Salad with Citrus Honey Vinaigrette

This butter lettuce salad is simple but special. Delicate buttery bibb lettuce leaves dressed with a bright citrus honey vinaigrette.

Like most days, my son Paul came in the door from school yesterday and the first thing he said (after “hi mom”) was “I’m starved!” I had just finished photographing this salad, and I offered him a taste. He reached right in and grabbed a leaf. “It tastes like spring.” He said. What a great response! He gave me permission to quote him.

Paul is right. This salad is like spring. The delicate butter lettuce leaves remind me of tender spring blooms. The bright flavors of lemon and lime, mixed with sweet honey are evocative of buzzing bees, budding flowers, fresh fruit, and the wonderful newness and warmth of the season.

It’s been a long snowy winter here in Boston and I’m thrilled to be seeing signs of spring, even if only in my salad bowl!

WHAT IS BUTTER  LETTUCE?

• Butter lettuce, also called Boston, Bibb and Living lettuce, has tender silky leaves with a delicate fresh flavor.
• Usually sold with its roots still attached, butter lettuce lasts longer in the fridge than other lettuces because it’s essentially still growing.
• Butter lettuce, with it’s tender leaves, is wonderful in spring and summer salads. 

WHAT MAKE THIS SALAD SO SPECIAL?

• The lettuce is tender, sweet and buttery
• The vinaigrette is bright and exciting with intense citrus flavors balanced by sweet honey.  
• I love making this salad for company. Although it’s very simple and just greens, it has that special something. I always gets compliments and requests for the recipe.

I haven’t said anything about the tarragon yet – it’s great! This anise flavored herb is the perfect punctuation mark for the bright and sweet flavors of citrus and honey.

This recipe is adapted from Avec Eric

OTHER DELICIOUS LEAFY SALADS FROM PANNING THE GLOBE:

• Raw Kale Salad with Honey Lemon and Parmesan
• Insalata Tricolore
• My Favorite Holiday Salad
• The Best Green Salad

Here’s the recipe for Butter Lettuce Salad with Citrus Honey Vinaigrette. If you try this recipe I hope you’ll come back to leave a rating and a comment. I’d love to know what you think!

Butter Lettuce Salad with Citrus Honey Vinaigrette

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

A simple but special salad of soft buttery lettuce with a bright citrus honey dressing.

• Author: Panning The Globe
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Yield: 4-6 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: no cook
• Cuisine: Out of This World

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• For the Dressing
• 2 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice plus the zest of one lemon (zest before juicing)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice plus the zest of 1 lime (zest before juicing)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Sea salt (I recommend Maldon) or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 6 tablespoons canola oil
• For the Salad
• 3 heads butter lettuce (also called Bibb, Boston or living lettuce)
• 1/2 cup fresh tarragon leaves, roughly chopped

Instructions

1. Make the Dressing: Whisk lemon juice and zest, lime juice and zest, honey, and dijon in a small bowl. Slowly drizzle in the oil, whisking constantly, to emulsify the dressing. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Set aside.
2. Make the Salad: Cut the root end off the lettuces and gently wash and dry the leaves. I like to rinse leaves separately, under the tap, and spin them dry in my salad spinner. Tear the larger leaves into smaller pieces. Pile leaves into a large bowl. Sprinkle in the tarragon and toss it gently with the lettuce. Just before serving, toss the salad with just enough dressing to coat. Serve immediately.

Keywords: green salad, butter lettuce salad

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