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Apples are wonderful eaten whole or in baked goods, but there is nothing as light and delicious as an apple salad. The most familiar is the Waldorf, but apple salads do not stop there. There are endless combinations of apples, vegetables and dressings to please people of all ages. The flavorful light dishes are perfect as a starter or a main course.
The main ingredient in any apple salad is, of course, the apple. Some people prefer the sweeter flavor that comes with Red Delicious, Fuji or Granny Smith, while others would rather use a tart apple like Cortland or Jonathan. The apples should be fresh and free of any brown or soft spots. The skin needs to be washed thoroughly with water and a mild soap before cutting into the apple. Once cut, coat the pieces with an acidic liquid like lemon juice to keep it from turning brown.
Traditional Waldorf salad combines the apple chunks with chopped celery, walnuts and mayonnaise. Updated versions can contain raisins, grap es or dried cranberries and additional ingredients such as onion, mandarin oranges or pears. The salad is served over a bed or Romaine lettuce or watercress, and can easily change transform from starter into main dish by adding slices or chunks of turkey, chicken, ham or flaked salmon.
Apple salads are not just warm weather food. A winter salad calls for radicchio, endive and frisee combined with tart apple slices and toasted walnuts. The salad is dressed with vinaigrette made of cider vinegar and extra virgin olive or walnut oil, and the entire dish is topped with shaved, fresh cheddar cheese. Another all-season salad recipe starts with a base of watercress, julienned carrots, cherry tomatoes and smoked turkey. Apples are peeled, cored and quartered and deep-fried in vegetable oil. Once the apples are drained on paper towels, they are added to the salad and the whole thing is drizzled with vinaigrette made of cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and Dijon mustard. Th e end result is warm yet cool, light yet filling, and 100% delicious.
Apple coleslaw incorporates diced apples into standard coleslaw of shredded cabbage and carrots, chopped celery, sliced green onions, apple cider vinegar, sugar and sour cream. Green apples like Granny Smith work wonderfully in this dish, adding a crisp, sweet component to the vinegary slaw. Mixing sliced apples with cooked, cold tortellini, salad greens, strawberries, celery and green onions produces a terrific blend of flavors. The salad is topped with a sweet sauce made with apple juice concentrate, apple cider vinegar, light corn syrup, brown sugar and garlic salt. The sauce should be prepared ahead and left to sit in the refrigerator to give the flavors time to marry before it is tossed into the salad to produce the best, most flavorful results.
Apples are a delicious treat to snack on and a pleasure to cook with in the kitchen. Browse our collection of the best apple recipes and find the perfect dish for your next meal. Waldorf salad has never been more popular and is a delicious way to start any brunch, lunch or dinner.