Wash the romaine lettuce under cold running water
Remove any damaged or wilted outer leaves
Pat the lettuce dry with a clean towel or use a salad spinner
Cut off the bottom stem end
Separate the leaves if needed
Stack several leaves together
Slice crosswise into bite-sized pieces
Or cut lengthwise, then chop into smaller pieces
Keep the pieces loose for easier tossing
Use immediately or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator