This vibrant Woodward Celery Salad transforms humble celery into an elegant side dish that’s perfect for entertaining or everyday dining. The combination of crisp celery, sweet golden raisins, toasted pecans, and tangy dressing creates a symphony of textures and flavors that will surprise and delight your taste buds.
Ingredients
Main Salad Components
- 12 large celery stalks, chopped (approximately 800g/1.75 lbs)
- 1 small shallot, thinly sliced (approximately 30g/1 oz)
- 85g (⅔ cup) pecans, roughly chopped
- 75g (½ cup) golden raisins
- 65g (⅔ cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
For the Zesty Dressing
- 80ml (⅓ cup) extra virgin olive oil
- 60ml (¼ cup) fresh lemon juice (approximately 1 large lemon)
- 30ml (2 tablespoons) white wine vinegar
- 15ml (1 tablespoon) honey
- 2.5g (½ teaspoon) red pepper flakes
- 5g (1 teaspoon) salt
- 1g (½ teaspoon) freshly ground black pepper
Optional Enhancements
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced
- 30g (¼ cup) dried cranberries as raisin alternative
- 30g (¼ cup) toasted walnuts as pecan substitute
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Celery
Wash the celery stalks thoroughly under cold running water, removing any dirt or debris. Pat completely dry with paper towels. Trim the leafy tops and fibrous bottom ends, then cut the stalks into uniform pieces, approximately 1cm (½ inch) thick on the diagonal. This diagonal cut maximizes surface area for better dressing absorption while maintaining an elegant appearance.
Prepare the Supporting Ingredients
Peel and thinly slice the shallot into half-moon shapes. If the shallot flavor seems too intense, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry. Roughly chop the pecans into bite-sized pieces, ensuring some texture remains for crunch contrast.
Toast the Pecans for Enhanced Flavor
Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and add the chopped pecans. Toast for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden. This step intensifies the nutty flavor and adds extra crunch. Remove from heat and let cool completely before adding to the salad.
Create the Zesty Dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and honey until the honey is completely dissolved. Gradually add the olive oil in a steady stream while whisking continuously to create a proper emulsion. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning as needed. The balance should be bright and tangy with a subtle sweetness from the honey and gentle heat from the red pepper flakes.
Combine the Salad Base
In a large serving bowl, combine the prepared celery, sliced shallot, toasted pecans, and golden raisins. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly throughout the mixture.
Dress and Marinate the Salad
Pour the prepared dressing over the celery mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients. The celery should be well-coated but not swimming in dressing. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for exactly 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the celery to absorb the dressing while maintaining its crisp texture. This resting period is crucial for developing the salad’s full flavor profile.
Final Assembly and Serving
Just before serving, remove the salad from the refrigerator and give it a final gentle toss. Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fold it in carefully to avoid breaking up the delicate cheese shreds.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. Serve immediately while the celery is still crisp and the cheese is fresh.
Nutritional Information and Timing
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Marinating Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 6-8 people
Per Serving (Based on 6 servings):
- Calories: 245
- Protein: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sodium: 485mg
- Vitamin K: 35% DV
- Vitamin A: 12% DV
- Folate: 8% DV
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
Nut Alternatives
Replace pecans with toasted walnuts, sliced almonds, or pine nuts for different flavor profiles. Each nut brings its own character while maintaining the essential crunch element. Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds offer nut-free alternatives with similar textural benefits.
Dried Fruit Variations
Golden raisins can be substituted with regular raisins, dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, or even pomegranate seeds for a fresh burst of color and flavor. Each option provides different levels of sweetness and tartness.
Cheese Options
While Parmesan is classic, aged Pecorino Romano offers a sharper flavor, crumbled feta adds tangy creaminess, or goat cheese provides mild richness. For dairy-free versions, nutritional yeast or dairy-free Parmesan alternatives work well.
Dressing Modifications
Create an Asian-inspired version by replacing white wine vinegar with rice vinegar and adding a teaspoon of sesame oil. Mediterranean variations can include Dijon mustard and fresh herbs like oregano or basil.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
This salad can be prepared up to 4 hours in advance, but add the Parmesan cheese only just before serving to prevent it from becoming soggy. The dressed salad actually improves slightly with time as flavors continue to develop.
Store leftover salad in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, though the celery will gradually lose some crispness. Refresh leftovers with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and additional Parmesan if needed.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This versatile salad pairs beautifully with grilled meats, roasted chicken, or fish dishes. It’s particularly excellent alongside rich, heavy entrées where its bright, crisp nature provides welcome contrast. The salad also works wonderfully as part of a mezze platter or holiday buffet.
For elegant presentations, serve in individual bowls garnished with extra pecans and a light dusting of freshly cracked black pepper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the celery need to be chopped so much? Twelve stalks of celery create approximately 4-5 cups of chopped celery, which serves 6-8 people generously. Celery is the star ingredient, so the generous amount ensures everyone gets plenty of this nutritious, low-calorie vegetable.
Can I make this salad without the resting period? While the salad can be served immediately, the 20-minute resting period allows the dressing to penetrate the celery and the flavors to meld beautifully. This step significantly improves the overall taste and is highly recommended.
How do I prevent the celery from becoming soggy? Ensure celery is completely dry before dressing, don’t over-dress the salad, and avoid letting it sit for more than 4 hours. The acid in the dressing helps maintain crispness, but prolonged exposure will eventually soften the celery.
Can I prepare the components separately? Yes! The dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead, and the celery can be chopped and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Combine everything just before the 20-minute resting period.
What if I find the shallot flavor too strong? Soaking sliced shallots in cold water for 10 minutes mellows their intensity. Alternatively, substitute with finely chopped red onion or even scallions for a milder onion flavor.
This Woodward Celery Salad elevates a often-overlooked vegetable into a sophisticated side dish that’s both nutritious and delicious. The combination of textures from crisp celery, chewy raisins, and crunchy pecans, combined with the bright, complex dressing and sharp Parmesan, creates a salad that’s far more interesting and satisfying than its simple ingredient list might suggest. Whether served at casual family dinners or elegant dinner parties, this refreshing salad consistently delivers impressive results that will have guests asking for the recipe.