Waldorf Salad

Think about the times before the diets. Nothing is forbidden. You don't feel guilty - neither while eating or on the other day. Think about the wealthy people in Manhattan in the late 19th century. Silky dresses, pearls, cigars, smell of money. Where are they often in the evenings? In Waldorf-Astoria - place where all the prominent people met, place of beautiful ladies and men who rule the world.

It was the year of 1893. Oscar Tschirky, the maître d’hôtel of the famous Waldorf Astoria, created a salad, which had the fate to survive during the centuries. There were only apples, celery and mayonnaise. During the next years roasted walnuts were added. According to the present menu of Waldorf Astoria, the Waldorf Salad is "Green and Red Apples with Celery Root, tossed in a Creamy Lemon Dressing. Served with Toasted Walnuts". No chicken, no cheese, no yogurt to make the dressing lighter. Here is the original recipe:

Ingredients:

For the salad:

• 1 red-skin apple, cored, quartered and sliced thinely
• 1 green skin apple, cored, quartered and sliced thinely
• 1 cup walnuts, salted and toasted
• 1 medium head of celery, peeled and sliced thinely
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the dressing:

• 5 Tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice

Preparation:

Mix apple and celery slices. Prepare the dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise and the lemon juice.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Serve Waldorf Salad on top of some chopped leaves of green salad.

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