Let’s love lettuce

Hi again gluttons. Here I am again hoping to tickle your fancy or fan your flames with  gluts of lettuce!

This week a friend of mine enquired “would you like a lettuce”? Now, I’m as enamoured with green leaves as the next man – or woman-, but a crate of them?  My flames were duly fanned, I was overwhelmed with gluttony and the creative juices began to flow.

Serve with fresh crusty granary bread and a large glass of Chardonnay.

GREEN EGGS.    Serves 4    V.   4, Ramekin dishes, Baking Tray, Pre-heated Grill

4 Fresh Free range eggs, soft boiled. Shelled.

3 Little Gem lettuce or other crunchy variety. Shredded.

25g butter.

1 wineglass of White wine or veg stock

2, shallots, finely chopped.

Butter 4 ramekins, place on an oven proof baking tray.

Melt butter in a pan fry the shallots, until soft, but not brown. Add the shredded lettuce, pour over the wine or stock, cover with baking paper and a lid. Simmer for 4-5mins. Remove from pan, season and divide between the 4 dishes. Place the eggs on top of each dish.

Sauce.

25g Butter.

1 Rounded tbspn plain flour

100g Blue Cheese, use up those left over bits lurking in the fridge.

400ml Milk, warmed.

Melt the butter, add the flour, cook stirring for 2 mins.

Slowly add the warmed milk, continue to stir until the sauce thickens.

Remove from the heat and crumble in the blue cheese. Season to taste.

Divide the sauce between the 4 dishes & sprinkle with browned bread crumbs or crushed potato crisps.

Place under a hot grill until golden brown. Serve at once sprinkled with chopped chives.

Sit back with your glass of wine and congratulate yourself on using up your leftovers and glut of lettuce.

Until next time. Enjoy.