waldorf salad

Marshmallows. Intrigued? So were my kids. If I say the word ‘marshmallow’ in their presence, their little ears prick up and their eyes widen as if to say ‘tell me more’. It was my go-to treat for a success during potty training time. Yes I read all a bit of the literature on potty training and I realize you are not supposed to bribe your children into potty training. In the moment, however, things can get a little standoff-ish and rational moms (I like to include myself in this category from time to time) can do desperate things. Like offering teeny, tiny marshmallows to a 2 year old who is insisting that the 3 sippy cups of milk she just drank have not produced a need-to-go. And do you know what? It worked. Both of my kids are potty trained and not at all only somewhat addicted to marshmallows.  And really? The addiction to marshmallows probably would have happened naturally. They’re delicious.

Which brings us to this delightful dish: Waldorf Salad. A salad developed by matitre d' Oscar Tschirky back in the 1890’s and named for the Waldorf Hotel in which he worked.
A salad that I grew up making and eating with my Great Grandma Scheuer, who now that I’m thinking about it, was also from the 1890’s. Weird, huh?

Frequently when I was little, after teaching me my weekly piano lessons, my Grandma Scheuer would invite me to stay over for dinner. Which I loved to do. She always had the absolute best food around her house. Large blue cans of Planters cheese balls, bologna microwaved with cheese, and this salad. One of the best things about this salad - besides being tangy, crunchy and all around amazing - was that she let me make it all by myself. I would mound up little piles of chopped apple, celery, grapes, and yummy, salty peanuts all around my cutting board. Then we’d mix the dressing and toss. So simple but so incredibly satisfying. When I made this recently, I ate one bite and was almost in tears. The rush of memories from my Grandma’s kitchen were overwhelming. I love that I have those memories of her and this salad will forever be a direct link back to her kitchen. Incidentally, my kids happily ate every single bite. See above for explanation. 

In my version, I swap the peanuts for walnuts (we have a peanut allergy in our house) but you can use any nut that you like best. You can serve it on a lovely little lettuce leaf, piled in a tea cup, or, just sneak bites of it every time you walk by the fridge because you hear it calling your name. I have no idea who would do such a thing. 

Waldorf Salad
makes about 4 cups


Ingredients:
2 small-medium apples, chopped.
2 tsp lemon juice
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 cup of halved red grapes
1/4 cup of walnuts, pecans or peanuts
1/2 cup of miracle whip salad dressing

In a medium size bowl, sprinkle lemon juice over apples and mix around a bit. Add grapes and celery and give it another mix. Add Miracle Whip, and toss to coat. Gently fold in nuts.

Serve on a lettuce leaf if you're feeling fancy.

Enjoy!

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