639583 Sun Jul 26 14:27:36 -0700 2009 30 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 4892069 In the beginning.....I would only tear, heard that was the only proper way, now, being busy and making a salad nearly everday, I cut. How about you? Sun Jul 26 14:27:36 -0700 2009 219682 Babyducks 1 4892097 I tear lettuce, mostly just for the aesthetic appeal of the difference shapes and sizes. Sun Jul 26 14:37:24 -0700 2009 4892069 236136 AndrewK512 1 4892100 depends what i'm making. if i want a more rustic or homey look, definitely tear. but if i'm doing a chopped salad, well, then, obviously i chop it ;) Sun Jul 26 14:39:49 -0700 2009 4892069 103920 goodhealthgourmet 1 4892123 I think it depends on the type of lettuce. Some (like Iceberg) seem to lend themselves to cutting, others (like Cos) seem better torn. Sun Jul 26 14:51:43 -0700 2009 4892069 154102 Harters 1 4892323 Usually just tear it up. I think I have a plastic 'lettuce knife' floating around but it's never there when I want it. I will shred it with a knife for certain things though. Sun Jul 26 16:43:35 -0700 2009 4892069 110426 Boccone Dolce 2 4893141 I have one of those plastic lettuce knives. The reason I bought it was the claim that the lettuce wouldn't quickly turn brown where it was cut. And surprise, surprise it works. Mon Jul 27 04:10:26 -0700 2009 4892323 112335 mexivilla 3 4896619 yep, i have a lettuce knife made of plastic. i like it! i'll cut or tear, depending on what i'm into at the moment. i hate it when restaurants make caesar with huge long pieces of romaine, unless they're super crisp. Tue Jul 28 07:34:12 -0700 2009 4893141 105717 alkapal 4 4897289 The only time I like whole leaves of Romaine is if its grilled...I love a good ceasar salad made with grilled romaine...actually I like any kind of salad with some good grilled romaine-made a good one a few weeks back with all grilled veggies though I did cut my lettuce before tossing the salad :-) Tue Jul 28 10:47:40 -0700 2009 4896619 180029 fmcoxe6188 5 4898833 yes, a former chowhound told us about her delicious grilled caesar salad, too. it is a terrific idea! one feels quite virtuous eating it. ;-). Tue Jul 28 19:28:30 -0700 2009 4897289 105717 alkapal 4 4898847 Accordeing to Julia Child, the authentic version of Caesar salad has whole Romaine leaves, which are supposed to be picked up and held in the hand. Tue Jul 28 19:34:20 -0700 2009 4896619 159317 greygarious 5 4898856 maybe so, but the romaine shouldn't be a stinkin' foot long! it should be the delicate, inner leaves that are 5-6" at most. most restos just lazily chop the coarse outer leaves into oversized pieces. ;-(. Tue Jul 28 19:38:49 -0700 2009 4898847 105717 alkapal 1 4892385 About the only time I can think of that I cut lettuce is iceberg for a chiffonade for tacos. Ooops! And I do cut romaine in about inch and a half pieces for Caesar salad. Yes, yes. I know. The original Caesar was made with whole romaine blades, but I prefer eating salad with a fork. Other than these two examples, I tear lettuce. Sun Jul 26 17:07:25 -0700 2009 4892069 112096 Caroline1 2 4892444 i hate caesar salad with whole leaves too. iceberg i use a knife, everything else i generally tear. Sun Jul 26 17:41:05 -0700 2009 4892385 30273 hotoynoodle 1 4892386 I tear...only (I know, I know...I'm so boring). Sun Jul 26 17:07:44 -0700 2009 4892069 11983 Val 1 4893013 I smash! Sun Jul 26 22:53:54 -0700 2009 4892069 11583 ipsedixit 1 4894782 I used to tear, period, but I've found that I prefer romaine cut into chiffonade. I like to make a salad with that, thin slices of Belgian endive, and then some torn greens like mache or frisée. Mon Jul 27 13:32:00 -0700 2009 4892069 11478 Will Owen 1 4894831 I cut Romaine, and in the rare instance I use iceberg, I cut that too. Everything else I tear. Mon Jul 27 13:48:00 -0700 2009 4892069 137495 dagwood 1 4895139 I remember an old TV demo of salad making by Vincent Price (who would probably be called a Chowhound today), and he stressed "always tear". For an alternate opinion, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS2qNc188Ps&feature=PlayList&p=87D6F3A15FDB0DF6&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=22 Mon Jul 27 15:27:45 -0700 2009 4892069 11791 DonShirer 2 4895240 I've heard other chefs always advise to tear, not saying the "cut" crowd is wrong, mind you...but the tearing is good therapy for me, too...as is most chopping, I will admit. Just feels wrong to cut romaine lettuce to me or any other lovely dark leaf lettuce. Mon Jul 27 15:56:20 -0700 2009 4895139 11983 Val 3 4895267 Cutting hastens the leaves turning brown. If its all going to be eaten in one sitting then no worries. But if you want it to hold for a day or two, I would advise to tear. Mon Jul 27 16:04:20 -0700 2009 4895240 71241 lynnlato 4 4895365 That's right, in the biz and you know how much your going to move in a day, you cut. (or buy the bagged stuff). At home, tear. Mon Jul 27 16:46:23 -0700 2009 4895267 140140 mrbigshotno.1 2 4896026 I too remember Vincent Price telling Johnny Carson that very emphatically on The Tonight Show. Ever since then I have only torn lettuce, and many times wondered whether this was just a silly dictum. Mon Jul 27 22:16:54 -0700 2009 4895139 48389 racer x 1 4895233 I cut, tear and use scissors.....depending on which type of lettuce I am using and for what recipe....as in shredded for sandwiches, or cut or pulled apart for salads. Scissors work great on Romaine Heads. Mon Jul 27 15:54:19 -0700 2009 4892069 123497 fourunder 1 4896402 I only cut when I am making a chiffonade of lettuce. I am very picky about lettuce. I don't like any bit of brown or any of the really thick ribs or stems, so I find tearing is the easiest way to pick through it. But in the end I don't think most of us hold cut/torn lettuce long enough for it to make any difference. http://www.cooksillustrated.com/equipment/overview.asp?docid=19972 Tue Jul 28 06:15:42 -0700 2009 4892069 139219 Sooeygun 2 4898842 i'm with you on the "picky" part. there's something about even tiny bits of lettuce that are that "dark green heading-toward-goo" that will send me a-runnin'! Tue Jul 28 19:32:41 -0700 2009 4896402 105717 alkapal 1 4896644 Either/or, depending on my mood, with tearing being the predominant mindset. Oddly enough, when it comes to Romaine, I almost always cut. Tue Jul 28 07:43:26 -0700 2009 4892069 233294 cuccubear 1 4896748 For salads, or to slap a piece on a sandwich, I tear. For a garnish, as on a tostada or taco, I cut strips. More pleasing on the garnish tray, and works better on the food. Tue Jul 28 08:11:16 -0700 2009 4892069 124191 comestible 1 4897094 When I am in a rush, I buy a bag. Tue Jul 28 09:46:59 -0700 2009 4892069 46220 pesto 1 4897096 I'm not sure how you would properly cut, say, butterhead, lollo rosso or oakleaf type lettuce. These just have to be torn I reckon. Tue Jul 28 09:47:16 -0700 2009 4892069 154102 Harters 1 4899086 I usually tear most lettuce if I'm preparing food for guests. Sometimes, just for me I cut romaine if I'm eating it all now. Or iceberg only if serving a wedge. I totally second the grilled caesar! If you haven't tried it, you must! Of course, then cut the head in half lenthwise with a knife. Tue Jul 28 21:27:18 -0700 2009 4892069 123480 scuzzo 1 4901012 I like the red leaf lettuce and I usually tear it . Wed Jul 29 12:47:38 -0700 2009 4892069 171261 LadyCook61