Ah, the Waldorf Salad—a dish that’s both timeless and, dare I say, a bit controversial? It’s like the avocado toast of the early 20th century, a mix of crispy apples, crunchy celery, and walnuts that somehow feels both fancy and down-to-earth. Imagine it served at a lavish dinner party or just at your kitchen table, where you can almost hear the clinking of glasses and echo of jazz from another era.
Steps
- Dice tart apples and place them in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the apples with sugar and lemon juice, then toss to coat evenly.
- Add diced celery, halved grapes, and toasted nuts to the apple mixture. Ensure all ingredients are well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whip the cream until peaks form. Gently fold in mayonnaise to create a smooth, creamy dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the fruit and nut mixture, season with kosher salt, and fold until everything is coated.
- Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Chill the salad for at least one hour or overnight to meld the flavors.
- Serve the Waldorf salad on its own or on a bed of lettuce for an elegant presentation.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of diced tart apples (or 2 apples)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
- 1 cup of diced celery
- 1 cup of halved grapes
- ½ cup of roughly chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup of whipped cream
- ¼ cup of mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
Nutritional Values
Calories: 1470kcal | Carbohydrates: 90g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 126g | Saturated Fat: 36g | Cholesterol: 186mg | Sodium: 1650mg | Potassium: 1164mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 66g | Vitamin A: 2436IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 6mg
FAQ
- What are the primary ingredients in a Waldorf salad?
- A traditional Waldorf salad typically includes tart apples, celery, walnuts or pecans, grapes, lemon juice, sugar, salt, mayonnaise, and a secret ingredient—whipped cream. These ingredients combine to create a crunchy and creamy salad.
- Can I substitute the whipped cream in the Waldorf salad dressing?
- Yes, you can replace the whipped cream with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream if you prefer a different flavor or a lighter option. Use 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt or sour cream instead of the ½ cup of whipped cream suggested in the recipe.
- How should the fruits and vegetables be prepared for the salad?
- It’s best to chop the apples, celery, and grapes into similar sizes to ensure each bite delivers a consistent mix of flavors and textures. Sprinkling the cut apples with lemon juice and sugar will prevent browning and enhance sweetness.
- Why is toasting the nuts recommended in this recipe?
- Toasting the nuts before adding them to the salad enhances their natural flavor by releasing their oils, which deepens the taste and removes any raw flavor.
- What are some additional ingredients I can add to customize my Waldorf salad?
- You can personalize your Waldorf salad by adding ingredients like mini marshmallows, raisins, dried cranberries, diced pineapple, dried dates, chicken or turkey, red onion, broccoli or cauliflower, sunflower seeds, pecans, or pistachios.
Tips
- Use the crispest apple varieties for maximum crunch. While tart green Granny Smith apples are traditional, consider mixing in a crunchy Fuji, Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, or Gala for color and variety.
- Chop all the ingredients to a similar size. This ensures that each bite contains a balanced mix of crunchy and sweet flavors.
- Toss the cut apples with lemon juice and sugar immediately. This helps to prevent the apples from browning and enhances their natural sweetness.
- Toast the nuts before adding them to the salad. Toasting releases the nuts’ natural oils, intensifying their flavor and removing any raw taste.
Equipment
- Whisk – For mixing the mayonnaise and whipped cream together to create a homogenous dressing.
- Mixing Bowls – A set of mixing bowls would be useful for combining the ingredients and mixing the dressing.
- Nut Toaster or Baking Sheet – For toasting nuts, which enhances their flavor in the salad.
- Fruit Chopper or Vegetable Chopper – To ensure even and quick chopping of apples, celery, and grapes.
