How to Make Classic Waldorf Salad

This very easy, simple salad has a long, rich history. It was created in the 1890s at New York's Waldorf-Astoria hotel by maître d' Oscar Tschirky. The original salad contained only mayonnaise, apples and celery, but today is usually served with walnuts and other ingredients. This recipe serves four to six.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 ribs celery
• 1/2 c. red grapes
• 1/2 c. walnuts
• 2 apples
• 1/2 c. mayonnaise
• 1/4 c. sour cream
• 1 lemon
• 1 head horseradish or romaine lettuce
• Groceries
• Chef's Knives
• Apple Peeler
• Chef's Knives
• Cutting Boards
• Mixing Bowls
• Peelers
• Salda Utensils
• Mixing bowls

1. Cut the white ends off the celery ribs. Use a vegetable peeler to peel off the strings that cover the outside of the ribs.

2. Dice the ribs into 1/4-inch squares.

3. 

   Cut the grapes in half, and use your fingers or a knife to break the walnuts into pieces.

4. 

   Wash, core and dice the apples. (See Tips for apple varieties.)

5. 

   Place the apples, grapes, walnuts and celery in a bowl. Add the mayonnaise and sour cream and stir everything together. Squeeze a few teaspoons of lemon juice in, stir well, and taste - the lemon juice should be almost undetectable.

6. Arrange a large whole inner leaf of romaine on each plate and top each one with a scoop of the salad.

Tips & Warnings

• If you must have the original version of the Waldorf salad (with only apples, celery and mayonnaise), omit all the other ingredients except the lettuce leaf to serve it on.
• Use a crisp, sweet apple, like Jonagold or Fuji. Avoid Granny Smiths, McIntosh or Red Delicious apples.
• In his day, Oscar Tschirky, the Waldorf-Astoria maître d' who created this salad, was quite a character. He served every U.S. president in office during his 40-year career, and he helped set standards for fine-dining service that are still used today.

Who Can Help:

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on 11/22/2005 On top of all the original stuff, add diced up chicken breast!

on 11/22/2005 We add some mini marshmallows to the salad and make a different dressing, which is made with 1 cup mayo, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar. YUM

on 11/22/2005 When I'm in a hurry and want Waldorf salad, I substitute raisins for the grapes. It's much faster and just as good.

on 11/22/2005 In addition to these ingredients, try adding miniature marshmallows and raisins.