This salad contains Petite Oak Artisan Lettuce, avocado, grapefruit and goat cheese, and is topped with citrus dressing.

We’ve never been one to coo over cute veggies — save for baby corn, perhaps — but Tanimura & Antle Artisan Lettuce is simply adorable. Not to be confused with baby lettuces found in salad mixes, the petite, fully mature heads of lettuce are available in two-, four- and six-count packages ($1.99–$4.99) that cradle the greens in a scallop design, which uses 12 percent less materials than similar packaging. Each container has various red and green mixes of the following lettuce varieties: Petite Gem, which is firm, crunchy and mildly sweet; tender and mild Petite Oak; and curly-leafed Petite Tango, similar to arugula or endive. The lettuce stays fresh longer, since it’s left whole until it’s ready to use.

One of our biggest pet peeves is food waste, so it’s nice to know that we won’t have greens withering in a bag or an enormous shriveling lettuce head haunting our crisper drawer. Though not certified organic, the California-based growers use minimal pesticides, conserve water and use tractors that run on biodiesel fuel. Following is a salad recipe from Tanimura & Antle.

Artisan Lettuce Blushing Petite Oak Salad With Citrus Dressing

2 heads petite lettuce (about 10 cups)
2 medium red grapefruits, sectioned
1 avocado, thinly sliced
4 ounces soft goat cheese, crumbled
1/3 cup fresh pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries
¼ cup chopped fresh chives
¼ cup chopped toasted pecans
Citrus Dressing (recipe below)

Cut core end of lettuce to release leaves; cut leaves crosswise in half. Rinse; drain well.

Combine lettuce, grapefruit, avocado, goat cheese, pomegranate seeds, chives and pecans in large bowl. Add dressing, as desired, before serving; toss well.

Yields about 6 servings of 2 cups each.

Citrus Dressing

1/3 cup fresh grapefruit juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Combine grapefruit juice, honey, mustard, salt and pepper in bowl. Gradually whisk in oil until blended. Cover and store in refrigerator up to 1 week.

NUTRITION SCORE (per serving)
366 calories
75% fat
Fat 31 g
Carbs 21 g
Protein 7 g
Fiber 5 g
Calcium 88 mg
Iron 2 mg
Sodium 304 mg

We think these artisan lettuces would be perfect for summer salads and make an easy addition to sandwiches. What types of lettuces do you prefer for light salads?

Tags: California, Cichorieae, enormous shriveling lettuce head, food waste, Hospitality/Recreation, Lettuce, oil, olive oil, Petite Gem, Salads, USD