Health & Life

Inexpensive Veggies With More Calcium Than Milk, Good Raw or Cooked

Lettuce is an amazing vegetable but unknown to many on how to eat it.

20 April, 2024

Lettuce, a member of the Asteraceae family, is a popular edible plant in Vietnam. The stem of the lettuce is cylindrical in shape, branching out towards the top.

The leaves grow singly from the stem, with soft petioles, long and wide leaf blades, and no curls. The leaves have a thin texture with slightly serrated margins. As the plant grows taller, the leaf heads become smaller and more oblong in shape.

Health Benefits of Lettuce

Lettuce is not only a delicious food choice, but it also offers a wide range of health benefits. Its cooling properties and support for weight loss make lettuce an excellent choice during the summer season. With only about 15 calories per 100 grams of lettuce, less than even tomatoes, it is a great choice for those looking to maintain their weight.

Moreover, lettuce has protective effects on the eyes and prevents degenerative diseases. The zeaxanthin in lettuce helps improve vision, particularly in cases of macular degeneration, and prevents cataracts. The flavonoids in lettuce also play a significant role in preventing lung and oral cancers.

Lettuce is a source of vitamin A and beta-carotene, which provide nutrients for the skin and eyesight. Regular consumption helps maintain healthy skin and promotes the formation of mucous membranes, while also supporting good vision.

Additionally, lettuce supports reproductive health by providing folate and vitamin C. Folate helps protect the health of the fetus during pregnancy and reduces the risk of complications. Vitamin C, abundant in lettuce, improves the immune system and enhances resistance to infections.

Finally, lettuce is a source of vitamin K, which helps increase calcium absorption in bones, improving bone strength and preventing osteoporosis.

Guide to Cooking Lettuce with Ground Meat

Ingredients for the recipe:

500g lettuce
200g ground meat
2 tomatoes
Green onions, cooking oil, salt, and MSG (seasoning).

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients:

Ground meat: Marinate with 1 tablespoon of seasoning for 15 minutes.
Lettuce: Split and remove the yellowed leaves. Wash the lettuce and soak it in diluted saltwater for about 10-15 minutes to clean it.
Tomatoes: Wash and cut into wedges.
Green onions: Wash and thinly slice the green part of the onions for sautéing.

Step 2: Cook the soup:

Place a pan on the stove and add a little cooking oil. When the oil is hot, sauté the green onions (or shallots) until fragrant, then add the ground meat and stir-fry until the meat is seasoned. When the meat is almost cooked, add a little salt and tomatoes and stir-fry evenly. Bring a little water to a boil and season to taste.
When the water boils, add the lettuce and stir well. When the soup boils again, turn off the heat. You can add a little MSG before turning off the heat.

Step 3: Enjoy:

The lettuce and ground meat soup is now complete, with a sweet and refreshing broth and an attractive color combination of green lettuce and red tomatoes. The lettuce retains its crispness and freshness.
With a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious and affordable soup for your family meal. You can also use chicken stock or bone broth to make lettuce soup.

Frequently asked questions

The leaves of the lettuce plant grow individually from the stem with soft petioles. They are long and wide with a thin texture and slightly serrated margins. The leaf heads become smaller and more oblong as the plant grows taller.

Lettuce offers a range of health advantages. It has cooling properties, aids in weight loss, and is low in calories. Additionally, it supports eye health, prevents degenerative diseases, and protects against lung and oral cancers. Lettuce is a source of vitamins A, C, and K, beta-carotene, and folate, promoting healthy skin, eyesight, and reproductive health, while also boosting immunity.

To prepare lettuce and ground meat soup, you’ll need 500g of lettuce, 200g of ground meat, 2 tomatoes, green onions, cooking oil, salt, and MSG. First, marinate the meat and soak the lettuce in diluted saltwater. Sauté green onions in oil, add the meat, and stir-fry. Then, add salt, tomatoes, and water. Once boiling, add lettuce and stir. Season with MSG before serving. Enjoy a delicious, nutritious, and affordable meal with a refreshing broth.