As a tribute to the historic Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue in New York City, currently under renovation with plans to reopen with condominiums, we’re featuring our own recipe for a winter Waldorf Salad, along with a few more “official” recipes. A healthy addition to any meal, or even a meal unto itself, we hope you enjoy!
Waldorf Salad
Ingredients for the salad:
1 head of Romaine Lettuce
1/4 – 1/3 cup of Roasted Salted Pecans
1/4 – 1/3 cup of fresh bite-sized chopped Parmesan Cheese
1/4 -1/3 cup dried cherries and cranberries, roughly chopped (we use Mariani brand)
1/2 of bite-sized large apple (we use Crisps Pink or any crisp firm winter apple)
Ingredients for the dressing (Sweet & Sour):
1/2 cup heavy cream or whipping cream
1/3 cup sugar
1/6 cup Colavita Champagne Wine Vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
Instructions:
Make dressing and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes. Prepare salad in a beautiful winter-inspired serving bowl. Pour desired amount of dressing on salad and toss.
Today’s Official Recipe for Waldorf Salad* (taken from here)
Ingredients for the walnuts:
2 cups walnut halves
1 egg white
1 tbsp. of spice mixture (paprika, cayenne, coriander)
1 cup sugar
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the walnuts and egg white. Add spice mixture and sugar and mix until evenly coated. Spread nuts in an even layer on baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes being careful not to burn.
Ingredients for the dressing:
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup crème fraîche
3 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
Fresh ground White Pepper
1/4 cup Walnut oil
1/&1/2 tbsp. minced Black Winter Truffles (optional)
Instructions:
Combine the yogurt, crème fraîche and lemon juice until thoroughly mixed. Then add the oil and pepper and truffles, if desired. Set aside.
Ingredients for the salad:
1/2 cup celery
2 large Granny Smith apples, unpeeled
2 large Gala apples, unpeeled
2 dozen red grapes, halved lengthwise
1/2 cup micro greens or celery leaves
Instructions:
Julienne the celery and apples into matchstick-size strips and gently fold the dressing into the apple mixture. To assemble salad place the apple/leaves mixture on plate and scatter grapes and walnuts and serve.
*Just exactly what the recipe for the original Waldorf Salad was seems hard to come by, but it is attributed to the famous maitre d’hotel Oscar Tschirky or “Oscar of the Waldorf” in 1893. Whatever it was, it seems it was a much simpler salad than what it is today with only apples, celery possibly grapes and a mayo dressing. There are many different versions claiming to be the original.
The following two recipes are as close to what could have been the original:
Original Waldorf Salad (version I)
Ingredients:
6 tbsp. mayonnaise (or plain yogurt)
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
2 sweet apples. cored and chopped
1 cup red seedless grapes. sliced in half
1 cup celery, thinly sliced
1 cup chopped, slightly toasted walnuts
Lettuce
Original Waldorf Salad (version II)
Ingredients:
2 celery ribs
1/2 cup red grapes
1/2 cup walnuts
2 apples
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 lemon