No romaine, discover a bounty of other leafy greens

By now, everyone has heard about the romaine lettuce recall. Why not use this unfortunate event as an opportunity to explore other leafy greens.

Love romaine? Who doesn’t? It is the basis of many favorite salads. From a Caesar salad to a garden salad, this particular lettuce is a food staple. Still, it isn’t the only lettuce available. With the recent food recall, use this unfortunate event as an opportunity to explore other leafy greens.

Spinach

Spinach makes for a wonderful base for a salad. Popeye always ate his fair share and you should, too. From Vitamin B to folate, this leafy green boosts a big nutritious punch.

Plus, a spinach salad is very versatile. The salad can go sweet with some strawberries or bold with some goat cheese and pecans. The options are many.

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 05: Chef Seamus Mullen’s Kale Caesar Salad is prepared at Cooking for Pleasure, Cooking for Life class during Day 1 of the New York Culinary Experience 2014 presented by New York Magazine and the International Culinary Center at International Culinary Center on April 5, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The New York Culinary Experience)

Kale

This leafy green falls into the love it or hate it category. While many people appreciate its health benefits, some people just can get into the woody texture. Stripping the greens from the stem helps a lot and can increase enjoyment.

Kale does have a bitter taste. Try to find other ingredients to balance the bitter. Often a dressing can help to balance the flavors.

Arugula

Known for its strong peppery flavor, this leafy green is a favorite of chefs. While the flavor is amazing, it is also a great source of calcium.

Arugula is a workhorse in the kitchen. From pestos to toppings for a sandwich, the versatility of this green is amazing. Definitely a great choice to keep in the refrigerator.

Boston, butter lettuce

If you love lettuce wraps, you’ve probably eaten butter lettuce. The softer texture and less bitter flavors make this leafy green quite appealing. Even with its broader appeal, it is still packed with nutrition. Plus, it can be a great way to start exploring greens beyond romaine or iceberg.

These leafy greens are just a few of the many greens available at grocery stores, produce stands and farmers market. Maybe this particular recall can help people explore all the bounty available.

What’s your favorite leafy green? Do you have a recipe that you love? Share it with us by tagging #FoodSided on social media or share the idea in the comments section.