Imagine a salad that's not just a side dish, but a flavor explosion that transports you straight to the sunny kitchens of California Pizza Kitchen! Our copycat Waldorf Salad recipe is about to revolutionize your dining experience, combining crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and juicy grapes in a creamy mayonnaise dressing that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch, a sophisticated appetizer, or a crowd-pleasing side dish, this recipe promises to deliver restaurant-quality taste right in your own kitchen.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Apples, diced
- Celery, chopped
- Walnuts, chopped
- Grapes, halved
- Mayonnaise
- Lettuce leaves
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry all fresh produce. Use a sharp knife to dice the apples into small, uniform cubes (approximately 1/2-inch pieces). Ensure you remove the core before dicing.
- Finely chop the celery into thin, crisp pieces. Aim for consistent size to ensure even distribution throughout the salad.
- Halve the grapes carefully, removing any seeds if present. Cut them lengthwise to create an attractive presentation.
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. This will enhance their nutty flavor and add a pleasant crunch.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk until smooth and well-integrated.
- Add the diced apples, chopped celery, halved grapes, and toasted walnuts to the mayonnaise mixture. Gently fold all ingredients together, ensuring even coating.
- Line a serving platter or individual plates with fresh, crisp lettuce leaves as a base for the salad.
- Carefully spoon the dressed salad mixture onto the lettuce leaves, creating an attractive mound.
- For best flavor, chill the salad for 15-30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and flavors to meld.
- Optionally, garnish with additional chopped walnuts or a light sprinkle of fresh cracked pepper before serving.
Tips
- Choose crisp, firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor.
- Toast the walnuts carefully - their flavor can turn bitter if burned, so watch them closely.
- Chill your ingredients before mixing to enhance the salad's refreshing quality.
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for half the mayonnaise.
- Cut all ingredients to similar, uniform sizes for a professional presentation.
- Prepare the salad just before serving to maintain the crispness of the ingredients.
- Use fresh, high-quality mayonnaise for the best flavor profile.
- Don't overdress the salad - you want to enhance, not drown, the ingredients.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of lemon juice to prevent apple browning and add brightness.
- Serve on chilled plates to keep the salad crisp and refreshing.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 368kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 10mg
