Saturday, August 11, 2012

Waldorf Salad


I've been making Waldorf Salad ever since the 70s.  It's a recipe that has always been easy to remember as it was clearly stated in a very funny episode of the British sitcom, Fawlty Towers.  In a nutshell (or perhaps a walnut shell?), innkeeper Basil Fawlty encounters a very rude and demanding American, Mr. Hamilton, who first requests a drink -- a screwdriver -- of which he had never heard, and then baffles him completely by ordering a Waldorf Salad. After informing him that the hotel is out of Waldorfs," Hamilton barks at him that it is celery, apples, walnuts, grapes, in a mayonnaise sauce.  

Essentially, that’s it.  Easy, right?  And it is easy, but a couple of additions can make this salad a touch better than the classic version first created circa 1893 at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City. The quality of the produce makes all the difference, along with a switch from seedless red grapes to champagne grapes (that literally burst with juice and sweetness, and are so adorably cute!), will really enhance this salad.

Here’s my version:

Waldorf Salad

1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced, cored, tart apples
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup Melissa’s Champagne grapes
1 teaspoon sugar
¼ cup heavy cream, whipped until thick
¼ cup mayonnaise
A pinch of freshly grated lemon zest
A pinch of cinnamon

Combine celery, apples, walnuts, grapes, zest, and sugar in a medium bowl. Stir together cream and mayonnaise, and toss with the salad mixture.  Top with a few gratings (or pinch) of good cinnamon.  Serve on a lettuce leaf with additional champagne grapes as a garnish, at room temperature or chilled.


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9 comments:

  1. Pattie, I've been "out of Waldorf's" for awhile, what a cute story, and I'm loving this recipe & hoping I can find the grapes. xx's

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  2. Top of the morning to you Pattie! It's a lovely day here in PA and your gorgeous Waldorf Salad has inspired me to seek out these ingredients for dinner tonight. I adore Waldorf Salad and it has been years since I've made it.

    Thank you so much for sharing...

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  3. Champagne grapes seem like a great addition to the salad. Love your photos, they are gorgeous!

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  4. Looks great! I haven't tried one in a long time but your version does sound better!

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  5. This is one of my all time favorite salads Pattie. Sounds so good. I do believe I will pick up the ingredients soon.

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  6. Oh my,give me a big hugh bowl full,I can just make a meal from this,just heap it on.Love this!..I'm popn' over from FOODIE FRIDAY,couldn't resist one of my favorites!

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  7. I haven't had Waldorf Salad in ages! I bet the pinch of cinnamon makes it along with the champagne grapes!

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  8. That photo is just beautiful!

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Thank you so much for commenting, I love every one of them! I am, however, unable to respond to anonymous comments.