Mediterranean-Style Braised Lettuce

The beauty of this tasty vegetable side dish is in the quick cooking. Serve Braised Lettuce with barbecued fish or chicken. Recipe serves 4.

Ingredients:

12 large cos lettuce leaves
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 red pepper (capsicum), cut into fine matchstick strips
2 spring onions, cut into 1/2 inch (1 cm) pieces
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons crumbled feta cheese
1/3 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Method:

1. Tear each lettuce leaf into four pieces. Heat oil in medium pan; add pepper. Stir over low heat for 1 minute.
2. Add lettuce to pan, toss over high heat 1 minute or until leaves are well coated with oil. Remove lettuce from pan. Reduce heat to low.
3. Add spring onions, chives and juice to pan; cook covered for 30 seconds. Remove pan from heat.
4. Combine lettuce and spring onion mixture. Place on serving plate. Sprinkle feta with black pepper. Serve warm or cold.

Tip: It is important to have all the ingredients on hand before beginning to cook, as prolonged cooking causes the lettuce to develop a bitter flavor and lose color.