lettuce

Crisp green produce just looks like it's good for you, doesn't it? Out of all of the colors of the rainbow, I tend to prefer green veggies the most. While there are countless fresh and tasty options, at this time of year, it's hard not to be drawn to avocados, artichokes, english peas, and lettuce. Find out what we like to do with these bright green ingredients when you keep reading.

There are some things in life that aren't supposed to be messed with. One of those things is the BLT sandwich. This traditional combination of porky bacon, crunchy lettuce, and juicy tomatoes is perfect just the way it is. While you can serve the trio on fancy bread, I prefer to make them on toasted whole wheat because that's the way my dad made BLTs when I was a girl. Same goes for the condiments: you could add mustard or aioli, but good-old mayonnaise from the jar is fine. The key to a good BLT is to use high-quality ingredients and be generous when layering. Lots of bacon is essential! To check out my method, keep reading.

Now that it's Summer, all I want to do is cook outside. And, wanting to add more creativity to my grilling arsenal, I've started experimenting with foods that you wouldn't think to grill otherwise. I'm grilling lettuce lately. It might sound odd, but something about warming lettuce on a smoky grill makes it more interesting, and gives it a new dimension of flavor.

To do this at home, start with a meaty lettuce. I use romaine because its size and long spine make it easier to handle on the grill. Endive and escarole work well too. Just keep in mind that the heartier the lettuce, the more it will be able to withstand being on an open flame. Cut the lettuce in half lengthwise, making sure to keep the hearts intact. From here, lightly oil your grill or brush the cut side of your lettuce with oil. Then, place the lettuce cut side down onto the grill. You want it to wilt and brown a bit, but to still retain some crispiness. When it's done, dress as you like.

Your guests will really go wild for grilled lettuce. At our last barbecue, we grilled up romaine and drizzled it with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and grilled shallots — it was a huge hit. Restaurants have also started serving, with much success, grilled Caesar salads. And for those of you that can't get past the bitter taste of endive, escarole, or radicchio, grilling is a great way to tame the usually bitter flavors. And best of all, it's a creative way to get leafy greens into a barbecue menu.

Source: Flickr User stu_spivack

Here's a pretty convincing argument in favor of washing bagged greens. An E. coli lettuce outbreak has sickened at least 19 people, hospitalized 12, and left three people gravely ill.

Freshway Foods and Imperial Sysco brands are recalling romaine lettuce in at least 23 states east of the Mississippi. The romaine has also been sold in salad bars and delis in stores like Kroger, Giant Eagle, Ingles Markets, and Marsh stores.

I'd been optimistic about the Obama administration's promise to establish more stringent food safety guidelines, but this demonstrates that, sadly, nothing has really changed. I'll be steering clear of raw greens for a while — what about you?

The classic flavors of a breakfast sandwich — bacon, eggs, toasted bread, and melted cheese — are transformed into a salad that's worthy of dinner.

The bacon is sprinkled with brown sugar and broiled until caramelized and syrupy. Thick slices of country bread are topped with jarlsberg cheese, and a fried egg finishes off the dish.

It's rustic and simple, but satisfying and decadent. Want the recipe? Read more.

It's harvest time and farmers markets as well as local grocery stores are booming with fresh produce. Take advantage of the abundance by enjoying a delicious salad. All those veggies and greens are refreshing and satisfying, and since they're in season you can find an amazing variety this time of year.

This got me thinking about leafy greens and whether there is a huge difference nutritionally between them. I know dark-green spinach is much healthier than light-colored iceberg lettuce, but how much better?

To see the breakdown read more.