Fragrant lettuce, belonging to the lettuce family, is an easy-to-grow, fast-growing, and quite popular vegetable in Vietnam. The plant has a columnar stem, branching at the top, with single, soft, long leaves with slightly serrated edges that do not curl. As the plant matures, the leaf tips narrow and elongate.
This vegetable is rich in nutritional value, especially beneficial for children, the elderly, and menopausal women. Fragrant lettuce is packed with vitamins A, B1, and B2, as well as minerals such as calcium, iron, and protein, making it an excellent choice when consumed fresh.
Due to its refreshing flavor and health benefits, fragrant lettuce is commonly used in salads, raw vegetables, sandwiches, soups, or hot pot dips.
Health Benefits of Fragrant Lettuce
Fragrant lettuce is a cooling vegetable, containing only about 15 calories per 100g, making it ideal for those looking to cool down their bodies and lose weight. With its zeaxanthin content, the vegetable helps protect the eyes, preventing age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Additionally, the flavonoids in the lettuce have cancer-fighting properties, particularly for lung and oral cancers.
The abundant vitamins A and beta-carotene promote healthy skin and support vision. The vegetable also provides folate and vitamin C, essential for prenatal health and immune-boosting properties. With a significant amount of vitamin K, fragrant lettuce contributes to bone health and effectively prevents osteoporosis.
With these nutritional values, fragrant lettuce deserves to be a regular part of daily meals.
How to Cook Fragrant Lettuce Soup with Minced Meat
Ingredients:
500g fragrant lettuce
200g minced meat
2 tomatoes
Scallions, cooking oil, salt, and seasoning powder
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Marinate the minced meat with 1 tablespoon of seasoning powder for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to absorb.
Cut the fragrant lettuce, keeping the stalks and discarding any wilted leaves. Wash the lettuce thoroughly and soak it in a diluted salt solution for 10-15 minutes to remove any dirt or impurities.
Wash the tomatoes and cut them into wedges.
Clean the scallions and finely chop the white parts for sautéing.
Step 2: Cook the Fragrant Lettuce and Minced Meat Soup
Heat some cooking oil in a pan and add the chopped scallions (or shallots) to infuse their aroma. Then, add the minced meat and cook until it changes color and absorbs the flavors.
When the meat is almost cooked, add the tomato wedges and sauté until they soften. Pour in some water and bring it to a boil. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
Once the water boils and the tomatoes soften, add the fragrant lettuce and stir. As the lettuce cooks quickly, you can turn off the heat as soon as the water boils again. If desired, add a pinch of seasoning powder to enhance the flavor.
Step 3: Enjoy Your Fragrant Lettuce and Minced Meat Soup
With these simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create a delicious and nutritious soup for your family. For an even richer flavor, you can replace the water with chicken or bone broth.
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