This apple and celeriac salad brings a freshness and brightness to your meal while committing to the definition of “seasonal”. And I say “seasonal” with the utmost respect. I’ve never been ready to give up bananas or avocados, chocolate, olives or other “staples”. Shit did I just do “quotes” again. And I suppose those items fall under the definition of “local”. I can say I am not a proponent of berries, beans, tomatoes or summer squash in winter due to cost and moreover lack of taste. But on to “salad”!
This awkward root veggie, rather foreboding at face value, grows like a beet or kohlrabi. With it’s thick roots and roughly a third of the ball in the ground and the rest nestled in the soil, it has a mild, almost sweet taste. See here.
I cut off the ends, then do my best to use a peeler for the exterior so as not to lose as much of the vegetable. You can slice off edges as well.
This apple and celeriac salad will also give you the opportunity to dust off your mandolin…
..and practice your knife skills.
It’s a nice addition to soups either pureed or cubed. And is this french classic standard.
I carefully used a mandolin to slice and then went for matchsticks/strips/small pieces. I’m out of practice. The irregularity in cuts seen here would not have flown in cooking school. But I don’t think any family members or dinner guests will be pulling out a measuring tape… or will they. Be sure to toss in a little lemon juice to prevent browning.
The apples were halved, cored and also sliced on mandolin followed by cutting. The apple is a little easier to handle and I think my muscle memory was kicking in. Immediately after cutting toss with lemon juice as well.
I used 2 large apples and 2 bulbs of celeriac and tossed with a vinaigrette consisting of:
- 6oz container of yogurt
- ¼ cup of olive oil
- 2 T maple syrup
- 1-2 T lemon juice
- 2-3 T orange juice
- 1 T white wine vinegar
- 1 T apple cider vinegar
- a handful of chives
- dash of salt and pepper
- ENOUGH FOR 6 PEOPLE. OR DINNER ONE NIGHT AND ADD TO YOUR LUNCHES IN THE WEEK
I love Bellwether Farms sheep milk yogurt.
I make up the dressing in a little mason jar and give it a good shake. Please adjust to your liking! 
I have a patch of wild chives that don’t look like much but I appreciate the fact they seemed to have grown out of nowhere since about 5 years ago or maybe that’s just when I noticed them. Despite our freezing temps they found a patch of ground that gets warmed up quickly by the sun.
Add some chives and/or minced scallion to the salad.
You can call it good at this point but if you want to go creamier…Add a nice BIG dollop of creme fraiche. Also Bellwether Farms.
This apple and celeriac salad accompanied our Coffelt T-Bones last night. So Local! Try garnishing with pecans or walnuts. I tried a little celery in this batch.
It’s a nice first course that can be made a day ahead and holds for several days for lunches as aforementioned.
I’ve garnished here with a couple strips of green onion
Here’s a little update of our four-leggers currently on the farmette. And yes, that’s a calf. Meet Else. I’ll have better pics soon.
Have a lovely week xx
Wendy
Wendy's Place 
Wendy, I love your writing as much as your cooking! Xox
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks Teri! So happy to see you are swinging by here. xox
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Lovely!
Dad ….XXX000
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Thanks Dad:)
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Hey stranger! This looks yummy! SO good to see you here again!
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Thanks Cindy! It’s fun getting the camera out again:)
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I make a variation on this all the time – with Greek yoghurt and a bit of Dijon, a version of the classic French remoulade. You are absolutely right, the combination of apple and celeriac makes a refreshing change from ordinary salads.
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Thanks for stopping by Debi- I like the idea of the remoulade with yogurt. I’ll try that out. cheers!
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Yum looks delish! We eat, considering it’s not your usual veg, quite a bit of celeriac both in France in Italy, but I’ve never teamed it with apple. And reading this, I’m wondering why. Seems a natural combination. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks!
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Funny isn’t it. I do remember a lot of shredded celeriac and carrots sauced up individually with mayo when we lived in France.
This was a nice lighter version sweetened up with the yogurt vinaigrette.
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Another vinaigrette that I’m definitely going to try!
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Hi KIKI!
When I got to the end of the celeriac apple combo there was a nice ½ cup left that went on to my green salad. I need to just make some to use on it’s own.
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This salad would sound much better to me if i didn’t dislike celeriac! But I could use carrots or parsnips…. Pretty photos!
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Parsnips is a great idea. I’ve actually never tried them raw. Going on my list!
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I love your writing too Wendy .. and that salad sounds yum! Haven’t used celeriac in ages. Time to dust off my mandolin 😃
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Why thank you Julie:) I keep my mandolin pretty handy actually. It’s a time saver as long as you don’t cut your finger! I’ll even do up a couple potatoes, slice them thin and whip out a mock pommes anna in a crepe pan… I feel a post coming on 🙂 x
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The recipe sounds delicious!! I have made something close to this. The animals look gorgeous!!!!!
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Thanks Resa- what were your ingredients? I had fun taking a bunch of photos of them yesterday. Our calf, Else, kept trying to lick my Nikon lens:P
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I think this is the recipe which will finally have me try celeriac! Thanks
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It really is worth trying. It’s slightly sweet, fresh and crunchy. Makes a great pureed soup as well.
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