Waldorf Salad

Nothing says summer like an amazing Waldorf Salad. Spectacular colors and fresh delicious ingredients are the heart and soul of any Waldorf Salad.

Today I want to share my 3 favorite recipes.

1) Waldorf Salad with blue cheese

2) Chicken Waldorf Salad

3) Kitchen Sink Waldorf Salad - made with whatever is in the fridge.

Quick Tip - If you have unexpected company drop by for drinks - throwing together a Waldorf Salad is very easy to do. Serve with a bottle of chilled white wine and your entertaining will be totally stress free.

Recipe #1 - Waldorf Salad with blue cheese

Ingredients:

Romaine - chopped thin

Baby Spinach

Optional - Red Leaf Lettuce or Endive

1 apple - Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, Granny Smith - sliced matchstick thin or in wedges

1 celery stalk - sliced very thin then chopped

White grapes

1/2 cup toasted walnuts - roasted

Blue Cheese, Feta or Gorgonzola

Dressing - same recipe for all versions

6 Tbsp Mayonnaise or Greek Plain Yogurt (I prefer to use Yogurt)

1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice or Champagne Vinegar or White Balsamic Vinegar

1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard

Pinch of Emerils, Paprika or even curry powder

Salt & Pepper

chopped fresh parsley or fresh tarragon

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Stir your dressing then taste. Adjust as you wish. You may want a thinner dressing on some days. Add enough olive oil to thin the yogurt and balance with your chosen vinegar or lemon juice.

Prepare all your ingredients for the salad in a bowl. Add in 2-3 stages your dressing. Stir to mix. Quick Tip - You want a beautiful salad that is dressed but not soaking wet.

Top with small pieces of your selected cheese - I love Blue Cheese.

Finish with fresh cracked pepper if you wish.

Serve Immediately

Recipe #2 - Chicken Waldorf Salad

All of the ingredients in the first recipe but I like to use for this version Romaine Lettuce. I also like to use a fresh store bought Rotisserie Chicken, red grapes along with the white and granny smith apples. I also tend to add more celery, fresh sliced strawberries and blueberries if on hand.

Same instructions for the dressing.

Recipe #3 - Kitchen Sink Waldorf Salad

Use whatever fresh lettuces, fruit (peaches or pears) and other items you have on hand. Sliced pork will work as will sliced beef. The key is to adjust your dressing to suit whatever you have in your salad bowl. If you have a lot of bitter greens and arugula you may want to try adding a touch of honey to your dressing.

ENJOY!