How to Clean and Crisp Salad Greens
Greens straight from the market often carry sand and earth in the crown. A quick rinse under a tap isn't enough to clean them; a full soak is the only way to ensure the final bite is crisp and grit-free.
Cold water is your best friend.
Always use the coldest tap water you can get. Warm water wilts leaves instantly, and you want to maintain that structural snap.
- large mixing bowl or basin
- salad spinner
- kitchen towels
What goes in.
- 1 headlettuce or bunch of leafy greens
Evicting the grit
Submerge the leaves in a deep bowl of water and agitate them with your hands. When you lift the greens out, the sand stays at the bottom, rather than being rinsed back over the leaves.
The method.
Prep the greens
Separate the leaves from the core. If the leaves are large, tear them into bite-sized pieces.
Submerge
Fill your bowl with cold water. Drop the greens in and swirl them vigorously with your hands to loosen trapped dirt.
The Lift
Reach in and pull the greens out of the water, transferring them to the colander basket of your spinner. Do not dump the bowl into a colander, or you will pour the grit right back onto the clean leaves.
Spin
Spin the greens in batches to avoid crowding. You want enough room for the water to fly off the surface of every leaf.
Final Dry
If the leaves still feel damp to the touch, spread them out on a clean kitchen towel and pat them gently. Dry leaves hold dressing; wet leaves turn into a puddle at the bottom of the bowl.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Discard any leaves that appear slimy or translucent at the edges before you begin.
If you lack a spinner, lay the washed leaves in a clean kitchen towel, roll it up like a log, and swing it in an arc through the air to use centrifugal force.
Store the dried greens in a container lined with a paper towel; the paper absorbs any remaining condensation.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I wash greens in advance?
Yes, they will keep for several days if they are completely dry and stored in a container with a paper towel.
Should I use soap?
No. Plain cold water is sufficient. Soap can leave a residue that affects the flavor of your vinaigrette.
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