How to Wash and Dry Salad Greens
Wash greens in a basin of cold water to release grit, then spin them until completely dry. Moisture is the enemy of a crisp salad; wet leaves dilute dressing and cause greens to wilt in hours.
Cold water is mandatory.
Warm water softens the leaves and speeds up wilting. Use the coldest water from your tap or add a few ice cubes to the bowl.
- Large mixing bowl
- Salad spinner
- Clean kitchen towels
What goes in.
- 1 headlettuce or bundle of leafy greens
Submerge and Swirl
Do not rinse greens under a stream of water, which bruises delicate leaves. Instead, submerge them in a bowl and swirl with your hands to force the grit to the bottom.
The method.
Trim and tear
Cut away the tough stem ends. Tear large leaves into bite-sized pieces if needed.
Submerge
Fill your bowl with cold water and drop the leaves in. Let them soak for two minutes.
Swirl
Agitate the greens firmly with your hands. You will see sediment collect at the bottom of the bowl.
Lift
Lift the greens out of the water with your hands or a spider strainer. Never pour the bowl into a colander, or you will pour the grit back onto the leaves.
Spin
Place the leaves in the salad spinner basket. Spin until no water beads fly against the clear sides.
Final check
Lay the greens on a clean towel and pat dry if they still feel damp to the touch.
When it doesn't go to plan.
If you lack a salad spinner, wrap the washed greens in a clean kitchen towel and swing the bundle carefully outside or over the sink to centrifuge the water away.
Do not wash greens until you are ready to use them; moisture trapped in storage containers turns leaves to slime.
If the leaves remain limp, soak them in an ice-water bath for ten minutes to restore their turgor pressure.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I wash greens in advance?
Only if you have a high-quality spinner and can ensure they are bone-dry before storing them in a container lined with a dry paper towel.
Does salt help clean greens?
No. Salt can draw moisture out of the leaves and start the wilting process early.
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