๐๐ง๐ฅ Apple and Celery Slaw With Blue Cheese Dressing ๐ฅ๐ง๐
What is it?
Apple and Celery Slaw With Blue Cheese Dressing is a delicious and refreshing salad dish that combines the crispness of apples and celery with the rich creaminess of blue cheese dressing. It’s a delightful blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, making it a perfect side dish or light meal.
History:
While the exact origin of this dish is unclear, it likely evolved from traditional coleslaw recipes. Coleslaw itself has a long history, with variations appearing in different cuisines around the world. The addition of apples, celery, and blue cheese dressing gives it a modern twist, adding new dimensions of flavor and texture.
Components:
- Apples: Typically, crisp and slightly sweet varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well.
- Celery: Adds a satisfying crunch and a mild, fresh flavor.
- Blue Cheese Dressing: Creamy, tangy, and pungent, blue cheese dressing is a key element that ties the salad together.
- Optional Ingredients: You can also add ingredients like walnuts, raisins, or bacon for extra flavor and texture.
Steps to Prepare:
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Gather Ingredients:
- 2-3 medium-sized apples
- 3-4 stalks of celery
- 1/2 cup of blue cheese dressing
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, 1/4 cup raisins, or 2-3 strips of cooked and crumbled bacon.
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Prepare the Apples and Celery:
- Wash, core, and thinly slice the apples.
- Wash and finely chop the celery stalks.
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Combine Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced apples and chopped celery.
- If you’re adding optional ingredients like walnuts, raisins, or bacon, add them to the bowl as well.
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Toss with Blue Cheese Dressing:
- Pour the blue cheese dressing over the apples and celery.
- Gently toss everything together until the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.
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Chill and Serve:
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve the slaw cold as a refreshing side dish or as a light meal on its own.
Time Needed:
- Preparation Time: 15-20 minutes
- Chilling Time: 30 minutes or more (for better flavor)
- Total Time: Approximately 45 minutes
Enjoy your Apple and Celery Slaw With Blue Cheese Dressing! ๐๐ง๐ฅ It’s a delightful combination of flavors and textures that’s sure to please your taste buds.
Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Apple and Celery Slaw With Blue Cheese Dressing:
Nutrition Facts (Approximate Values per Serving):
- Calories: 180-220 kcal
- Total Fat: 12-15g
- Saturated Fat: 3-4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 10-15mg
- Sodium: 350-400mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 16-20g
- Dietary Fiber: 2-3g
- Sugars: 12-15g
- Protein: 3-5g
- Vitamin C: 10-15% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Calcium: 4-6% DV
- Iron: 2-3% DV
Health Information:
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Low in Calories: This salad is relatively low in calories, making it a good choice for those looking to manage their calorie intake.
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Healthy Fats: The fats in this dish primarily come from the blue cheese dressing and optional ingredients like walnuts. While they are higher in fat, these fats can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation.
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Fiber: The salad provides a modest amount of dietary fiber, which can aid digestion and help you feel full and satisfied.
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Vitamins and Minerals: Apples and celery are rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and potassium. Blue cheese dressing provides some calcium.
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Added Sugars: The sugars in this dish come naturally from the apples and any optional raisins. It’s important to be mindful of added sugars, especially if you add sweetened ingredients to the salad.
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Sodium: The sodium content mainly comes from the blue cheese dressing. If you’re watching your sodium intake, you can opt for a lower-sodium dressing or use it sparingly.
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Protein: While this salad isn’t a significant source of protein, you can enhance its protein content by adding grilled chicken, tofu, or other protein sources if you’re looking for a more substantial meal.
As with any dish, moderation and portion control are key to enjoying it as part of a balanced diet. You can adjust the ingredients and portion sizes to meet your specific dietary preferences and needs.
