Crispy Butter Lettuce with Creamy Citrus Dressing & Garlic Croutons
Elevate your salad game with this refreshing Crispy Butter Lettuce topped with a zesty Creamy Citrus Dressing and homemade Garlic Croutons. Perfect as a light starter or side dish, this recipe combines the sweet, delicate leaves of butter lettuce with a tangy dressing made from creamy mayonnaise, sour cream (or yogurt), and zesty lemon. The additional crunch from golden, garlic-infused croutons brings a delightful texture to each bite, while the freshly chopped chives and grated Parmesan cheese finish the dish beautifully. Share this recipe with family and friends to bring a touch of culinary genius to your dining table.
N/A
Servings
112
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter Lettuce
1 head (Cut into quarters, washed, and dried)
Mayonnaise
1 tablespoon (None)
Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt
1 tablespoon (None)
White Wine Vinegar
1 teaspoon (None)
Lemon Zest
1/2 teaspoon (Zested from a lemon)
Salt
To taste (None)
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
To taste (None)
Bread
4 slices (Crusts removed)
Unsalted Butter
2 tablespoons (Melted)
Olive Oil
2 tablespoons (None)
Garlic Cloves
2 medium (Crushed)
Fresh Chives
For garnish (Chopped)
Parmesan Cheese
For garnish (Grated)
Instructions
1
Begin by carefully cutting the butter lettuce into quarters, keeping the leaves attached at the base to form wedges. Rinse under cold water to wash away any grit and spin dry. Place the lettuce back in the refrigerator to chill for at least 20 minutes.
2
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or yogurt), white wine vinegar, and lemon zest until smooth. Season generously with salt and black pepper, cover with plastic wrap, and let chill in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
3
Trim the crusts off the bread slices to make uniform squares. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the unsalted butter, olive oil, and crushed garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
4
Gently add the bread slices to the skillet, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until they are beautifully golden and crisp. Once toasted, remove the croutons from the skillet and place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Keep warm by covering with a clean kitchen towel.
5
When ready to serve, toss the chilled lettuce wedges with the prepared creamy dressing until evenly coated. Arrange the dressed wedges on serving plates.
6
Top each plate with a warm garlic crouton, then sprinkle with freshly chopped chives and a generous grating of Parmesan cheese for an elegant touch. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
7.5g
Fat
8.75g
Carbs
1.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish in this recipe?
The main dish is Crispy Butter Lettuce with Creamy Citrus Dressing and Garlic Croutons.
How should I prepare the butter lettuce for this salad?
You should cut the butter lettuce into quarters while keeping the leaves attached at the base, rinse them under cold water, spin dry, and chill for at least 20 minutes.
What ingredients are needed for the creamy citrus dressing?
The dressing consists of mayonnaise, sour cream or plain yogurt, white wine vinegar, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
How do I make the garlic croutons?
Trim the crusts off bread slices, heat unsalted butter, olive oil, and crushed garlic in a skillet, then toast the bread squares for 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
Can I use yogurt instead of sour cream in the dressing?
Yes, you can use either sour cream or plain yogurt for the creamy base of the dressing.
What type of vinegar is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one teaspoon of white wine vinegar.
How many calories are in one serving of this salad?
Each serving contains approximately 112 calories.
What is the fat content of this dish?
This recipe contains 7.5g of fat per serving.
How much protein is in the Crispy Butter Lettuce salad?
There is 1.5g of protein per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
The total carbohydrates are 8.75g per serving.
How many ingredients are required in total?
There are 13 ingredients required for this recipe.
What garnishes are suggested for this salad?
The salad is garnished with freshly chopped chives and grated Parmesan cheese.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegetarian.
How long should the lettuce chill before serving?
The lettuce should be chilled for at least 20 minutes to ensure it is crispy.
What is the best way to keep croutons warm?
After toasting, place the croutons on paper towels and cover them with a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm.
How should the garlic be prepared for the croutons?
The garlic should be crushed before being added to the skillet with butter and oil.
What is the first step in making the dressing?
Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl until smooth.
Should the dressing be chilled?
Yes, after mixing the dressing, cover it with plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
How should the lettuce be dressed?
Toss the chilled lettuce wedges with the prepared creamy dressing until they are evenly coated.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The specific serving size is not listed, but the recipe uses 4 slices of bread and 1 head of lettuce.
Can I use salted butter for the croutons?
The recipe specifically calls for unsalted butter, but you can adjust the added salt if you use salted butter.
How do I ensure the croutons don't get too oily?
Place the finished croutons on paper towels to absorb any excess oil after removing them from the skillet.
What type of bread is best for the garlic croutons?
The recipe calls for 4 slices of bread with the crusts removed, though any standard sandwich or artisanal bread works well.
Does this recipe contain fiber?
The fiber content is not specified in the provided nutritional data.
Is lemon juice used in the dressing?
The recipe specifically uses lemon zest for the citrus flavor in the dressing.
How should I arrange the salad on the plate?
Arrange the dressed lettuce wedges on serving plates and top each with a warm garlic crouton.
Is this a good recipe for beginners?
Yes, it is tagged as an 'easy recipe' and is simple to follow.
Can this be served as a main meal?
It is primarily described as a light starter, side dish, or light meal.
What texture should the croutons have?
The croutons should be beautifully golden, crisp, and garlic-infused.
How do I finish the dish before serving?
Finish by sprinkling freshly chopped chives and a generous grating of Parmesan cheese over the dressed wedges.