Dragoon, Breen, and Truchas Mini Romaine Lettuces

These three varieties of mini romaine lettuce—Dragoon, Breen, and Truchas—each bring unique flavours, textures, and colours to your dishes. Together, they create visually stunning and flavour-rich meals that highlight the best of each type.

Dragoon Lettuce:

  • Flavour: Dragoon has thick, crisp leaves with a mild, slightly sweet taste.
  • Usage: Perfect for Caesar salads, adding crunch to sandwiches, or grilling. Its compact heads make it a great choice for roasting or as a base for hearty salads.

Breen Lettuce:

  • Flavour: Breen offers a mild, slightly sweet flavour with a hint of bitterness.
  • Usage: The bronze-red leaves add colour to salads and sandwiches. Their slight bitterness provides a nice contrast in flavour, making them perfect for garnishes or as a base for dishes with richer flavours.
  • Fact: Breen’s bronze-red colour comes from anthocyanins, antioxidants that help protect against chronic diseases.

Truchas Lettuce:

  • Flavour: Truchas has a mildly sweet flavour with a crisp texture and dark red leaves.
  • Usage: Ideal for fresh salads, sandwiches, and as a colorful bed for grilled proteins. Its crisp leaves stay tender and flavorful longer, even in warm temperatures.

How to Use These Lettuces:

  • Salads: Combine Dragoon, Breen, and Truchas lettuce in a mixed salad to take advantage of their varied colours and flavours. The mild sweetness of Dragoon, the slight bitterness of Breen, and the crisp texture of Truchas create a balanced and visually appealing salad.
  • Grilled Dishes: Use the sturdy leaves of these lettuces as a base for grilled meats, or lightly grill the lettuce itself to enhance its natural sweetness and add a smoky flavour.
  • Wraps: These crisp leaves make these lettuces ideal for wraps. Encase grilled chicken, tofu, or vegetables in them, adding both flavor and crunch.

3 Recipes Using Dragoon, Breen, and Truchas Lettuces

1. Mixed Mini Romaine Caesar Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 head Dragoon lettuce, chopped
  • 1 head Breen lettuce, chopped
  • 1 head Truchas lettuce, chopped
  • 1/2 cup croutons
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Caesar dressing
  • Freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions:

  1. In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped Dragoon, Breen, and Truchas lettuces.
  2. Add croutons and Parmesan cheese.
  3. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss to coat evenly.
  4. Finish with freshly cracked black pepper and serve immediately.

2. Grilled Mini Romaine Lettuce Wedges

Ingredients:

  • 1 head Dragoon lettuce, halved lengthwise
  • 1 head Breen lettuce, halved lengthwise
  • 1 head Truchas lettuce, halved lengthwise
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Balsamic glaze for drizzling
  • Crumbled blue cheese (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
  2. Brush the lettuce halves with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Grill the lettuce cut side down for 2-3 minutes until grill marks appear.
  4. Remove from the grill and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
  5. Top with crumbled blue cheese if desired and serve.

3. Colorful Lettuce Wraps with Grilled Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 1 head Dragoon lettuce, leaves separated
  • 1 head Breen lettuce, leaves separated
  • 1 head Truchas lettuce, leaves separated
  • 1 pound grilled chicken, sliced
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup sliced cucumbers
  • 1/4 cup sliced bell peppers
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions:

  1. Arrange the Dragoon, Breen, and Truchas lettuce leaves on a platter.
  2. Place slices of grilled chicken on each leaf.
  3. Top with shredded carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers.
  4. Drizzle with hoisin sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
  5. Serve as a light, healthy appetizer or main course.

These recipes highlight the versatility and complementary flavours of Dragoon, Breen, and Truchas lettuces, making them perfect for various fresh, flavourful dishes.