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Are you looking for a light, refreshing salad that’s packed with flavor and crunch? This Celery Salad Recipe is the perfect answer! Combining crisp celery, tart apples, toasted nuts, and creamy blue cheese, all tossed in a zesty lemon dressing, this salad is a delightful side dish or light meal that’s sure to impress.
Key Ingredients
This Celery Salad Recipe stands out for its unique combination of textures and flavors. The crisp celery provides a refreshing crunch, while the tart apple adds a sweet-tart contrast. Toasted almonds and pistachios bring a nutty depth, and the blue cheese offers a creamy, tangy element that ties everything together. The lemon dressing brightens up the entire dish, making it a perfect choice for any season.
Ingredients List
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Celery (about 8-10 stalks) | 1 bunch |
| Crisptart apple (such as Granny Smith or Pink Lady) | 1 |
| Sliced almonds | 1/4 cup |
| Chopped pistachios | 1/4 cup |
| Firm blue cheese, crumbled | 3 ounces (about 1/2 cup) |
| Chopped curly leaf parsley | 1/4 cup |
| Lemon juice (from about 1 1/2 lemons) | 1/4 cup |
| Minced shallot | 1/4 cup |
| Honey | 1 tablespoon |
| Dijon mustard | 1 teaspoon |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 1/4 cup |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
Helpful Tools
To make this Celery Salad Recipe, you’ll need a few essential tools:
1. A sharp chef’s knife for slicing the celery and apple.
2. A large salad bowl for mixing the ingredients.
3. A small pan for toasting the nuts.
Pro-Tips
1. Toast the nuts: Toasting the almonds and pistachios enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the salad. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
2. Use a mandoline: For perfectly thin and even celery slices, consider using a mandoline slicer. It’s a great tool for achieving professional-looking results.
3. Make the dressing ahead: The lemon dressing can be made several days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This saves time and allows the flavors to meld together.
4. Adjust the seasoning: Taste the salad after tossing it with the dressing and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. This ensures the perfect balance of flavors.
5. Try a variation: For a different twist, try adding some Turkish Potato Salad A Refreshing Twist On A Classic Dish to your meal for a unique and flavorful combination.
How to Make Celery Salad Recipe
1. Prepare the celery: Remove the stalks from the bunch of celery and wash them well. Cut off the white root ends and the leafy tops. Thinly slice the celery into 1/4 inch slices and place them in a large salad bowl.
2. Prepare the apple: Cut the apple into matchstick-sized pieces. It’s not necessary to peel it. Add the apple pieces to the bowl with the celery.
3. Toast the nuts: Place the almonds and pistachios into a small pan and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Set aside to cool.
4. Combine the ingredients: Crumble the blue cheese and add it to the salad bowl along with the apples and celery. Add the parsley and cooled nuts and toss everything to combine.
5. Make the dressing: Put the lemon juice, shallot, honey, and mustard in a 12-ounce jam jar, close the lid tightly, and shake to combine. Add the olive oil and shake again until smooth. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Dress the salad: Drizzle the dressing over the top of the salad and toss well to combine. Taste again for seasoning and add additional salt and pepper if needed.
7. Serve: Serve the salad immediately for the best texture and flavor. Enjoy!
Variations
1. Add protein: For a more substantial meal, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to the salad.
2. Swap the cheese: If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, try using feta or goat cheese for a different flavor profile.
3. Include dried fruit: Add some dried cranberries or raisins for a touch of sweetness and chewiness.
Celery Salad Recipe
This Celery Salad proves that celery can be the star of the show. It is a refreshing, crunchy, and unexpectedly elegant side dish that pairs perfectly with rich meats or pasta. Thinly sliced crisp celery is tossed with toasted walnuts, savory shaved Parmesan, and a bright lemon vinaigrette for a salad that is light, healthy, and full of texture.
- Total Time: 15
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
— The Salad Base —
1 large bunch celery (about 8-10 stalks), washed and dried well
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved into thick ribbons (use a vegetable peeler)
— The Vinaigrette —
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a tiny kick)
Instructions
1. **Prep the Celery:** Trim the base and leafy tops off the celery stalks. (Reserve the pale yellow inner leaves for the salad; discard the dark green tough leaves). If the outer stalks are very fibrous, peel the strings off with a vegetable peeler. Slice the stalks diagonally into very thin pieces.
2. **Toast the Nuts:** Place the chopped walnuts in a small dry skillet over medium heat. Toast them for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and slightly darkened. Remove from the pan immediately to cool.
3. **Make the Dressing:** In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until emulsified.
4. **Assemble:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced celery, the reserved celery leaves, and the cooled toasted walnuts.
5. **Toss:** Drizzle the dressing over the celery mixture and toss well to coat every piece.
6. **Add Cheese:** Gently fold in the shaved Parmesan cheese. (Do this last so the cheese ribbons don’t break apart too much).
7. **Serve:** Taste and add a pinch more salt or lemon if needed. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately.
Notes
**Texture Tip:** The key to this salad is slicing the celery as thinly as possible. It changes the texture from ‘chunky snack’ to ‘delicate salad’.
**Add-Ins:** For a touch of sweetness to balance the savory parmesan, add thinly sliced Granny Smith apples or chopped dried dates.
**Make Ahead:** You can slice the celery and make the dressing up to 4 hours in advance, but store them separately. Toss them together just before serving to keep the celery crisp.
**Cheese:** Use a block of Parmesan and shave it with a vegetable peeler rather than using grated cheese. The texture of the shavings is essential.
- Prep Time: 15
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian / Mediterranean
FAQ
1. Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the components ahead of time and assemble the salad just before serving. The dressing can be made several days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
2. How long does the dressed salad keep?
The dressed salad keeps well for a few days, covered in the refrigerator. However, for the best texture, it’s recommended to consume it within 2-3 days.
3. Can I use a different type of apple?
Absolutely! While tart apples like Granny Smith or Pink Lady are recommended, you can use any crisp apple variety you prefer, such as Honeycrisp or Fuji.
Conclusion
This Celery Salad Recipe is a delightful and refreshing dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With its crisp textures, tangy flavors, and easy preparation, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. For more delicious ideas, follow me on Pinterest.