Nana’s Kitchen: Apple and Celery Salad

Nana’s Kitchen: Apple and Celery Salad

Greetings, home cooks, welcome to Nana’s kitchen,

I hope you and your family and friends are having a good Sunday meal and visit. My family is gathering at my daughter’s house. Everyone is contributing something to the meal. I got a good buy on a spiral cut ham at the grocery store. I make my own glaze instead of the packet that comes with the ham. I use jam, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard and butter. I do this so I can guarantee it is gluten free for family members. I do not trust the packet in the ham. 

I like getting a ham that is a little larger than we need so folks can have left overs. It is the mother and Nana in me. Plus the ham bone is great for soup. Always trying to think ahead. (Well, sometimes.)

We will jump straight to the recipe for today. Made of ingredients you probably already have. The recipe can be easily doubled or enlarged as needed.

Apple and Celery Salad

Ingredients:
1 Granny Smith apple or Braeburn apple
4 ribs of celery, tender young leaves can be included
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon heavy cream
Black pepper
Lemon slice or mint for garnish (optional)

Peel away the strings from the celery ribs.
Thinly slice the celery on the diagonal. Chop the leaves.
Peel and core the apple. Cut into quarters lengthwise. 
Starting at the short side, slice each apple quarter as thinly as possible.
Toss the apple pieces in a dish with the lemon juice to prevent browning. 
Place the apple and celery in a bowl and spoon in the mayonnaise and cream. 
Mix gently until the ingredients are combined. 
Place in a serving bowl, add a few grinds of pepper on top, garnish, and serve.
Enjoy.

Hints:
This has a lovely crunch. Very satisfying.
When adding the ingredients together any left over lemon juice in the apple bowl was added, too.
This could be made the day before if you like.
I like it when it has been refrigerated but it can be served as soon as made.
I thought it needed just a pinch of salt. That is personal preference.
This dish can go with anything and the ingredients make it a year round item.
If you have some other apple on hand, use it. This can be adapted as needed.
Also, the dish is gluten free.

Happy Easter, everyone!