Celery Salad with Green Apple Vinaigrette - Alina Reyzelman

Celery Salad with Green Apple Vinaigrette

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE APPLE VINAIGRETTE:

  • 1 medium Granny Smith apple
  • sprigs fresh parsley
  • clove garlic
  • tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • teaspoons maple syrup or honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

FOR THE SALAD:

  • 1 medium bunch celery (about 8 large and medium stalks)
  • 1 medium shallot
  • 6 pitted dried Medjool dates
  • 1/2 cup roasted, salted almonds
  • 1/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese, plus more as needed

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Prepare the following, adding each to a large bowl as you complete it: Core 1 medium Granny Smith apple, then finely dice until you have about 1 cup. Finely chop the leaves and tender stems of 4 fresh parsley sprigs (about 2 tablespoons). Finely grate or mince 1 garlic clove.

  2. Add 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and whisk to combine. While whisking constantly, slowly pour in 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil and whisk until all of the oil is incorporated. Taste and season with more kosher salt and black pepper as needed.

  3. Prepare the following, adding each to the bowl of the vinaigrette as you complete it: Pick the leaves from 1 medium bunch celery. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the tough fibers from the outside of the stalks. Trim and thinly slice the stalks on a slight diagonal until you have about 6 cups. Thinly slice 1 medium shallot (about 1/3 cup). Coarsely chop 6 pitted dried Medjool dates (about 1/2 cup). Coarsely chop 1/2 cup roasted, salted almonds. Add 1/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese.

  4. Toss to coat. Taste and season with more kosher salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with more Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese if desired.

RECIPE NOTES

Make ahead: The vinaigrette can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. Let come to room temperature and shake or whisk well before using.

Substitutions: You can substitute roasted salted almonds with raw almonds. Roast them at 375ºF until fragrant and toasted, 10 to 15 minutes. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt.

Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.