High Fructose Corn Syrup Free Basil-Parsley Romaine Cups with Apple
These crisp, herb-loaded lettuce cups are the kind of fresh, vibrant bite that feels like a treat without any of the processed sweetener baggage that sneaks into so many store-bought dressings and packaged snacks. The filling brings together sweet diced apple, fragrant basil, bright flat-leaf parsley, and shredded carrot — a combination that's colorful, crunchy, and genuinely exciting to eat. The dressing is a simple whisk of extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and just a touch of raw honey, so you know exactly what's going into every bite with zero mystery ingredients. That matters a lot when you're avoiding high fructose corn syrup, since it hides in everything from bottled vinaigrettes to flavored nuts — here, every component is whole and straightforward. Toasted pumpkin seeds scattered on top add a satisfying nuttiness and a little extra texture that takes the whole thing up a notch. These cups come together quickly and are best served right away while the romaine is still crisp and the herbs are at their most fragrant. Whether you're serving them as a light lunch or a crowd-pleasing starter, they deliver big flavor with nothing you'd want to leave out.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the cups
- 2 heads romaine lettuce hearts
For the filling
- 1 large apple, cored and finely diced
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
- ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and shredded
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp raw honey
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
For serving
- 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds, toasted (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Separate the romaine hearts into individual leaves, selecting the 10–12 largest, most cup-shaped leaves. Rinse and pat completely dry, then arrange on a serving platter.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and sea salt until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!