Celery—oh, that crunchy, underrated green stick. You might think it’s just a sidekick to peanut butter or a base in soups, but wait. Did you hear about that recent trend where people are blending it into smoothies for that extra zing? It’s like celery woke up one day and decided to crash the gourmet dinner party—bringing health and flavor in unexpected ways.
Steps
- Best-Ever Bolognese Sauce: Start by finely chopping onion, carrot, and celery, creating a mirepoix as the base. Cook these vegetables in olive oil until they soften and their flavors blend into the sauce. Don’t forget to add milk for a richer taste.
- Bloody Mary: Mix tomato juice with vodka as the foundation of this classic cocktail. Customize the drink with hot sauce, horseradish, and pickle juice to taste. Serve with a celery stick for the traditional garnish.
- Black Pepper Chicken: Marinate chicken in a cornstarch slurry for tenderness, a technique known as velveting. Use the time while the chicken marinates to chop celery and bell peppers. Prepare the stir-fry sauce and cook until the chicken is tender and coated.
- Crunch Salad: Assemble a kale salad highlighting texture with ingredients like green apple, roasted peanuts, and celery. Each element is chosen to enhance crunch and add bold flavors. Feel free to include any additional crunchy ingredients you prefer.
- Chicken Noodle Soup: Cook chicken with classic vegetables like carrots and celery for a comforting soup. Add peppers with onions for extra flavor or include spinach or kale near the end of cooking. Perfect when seeking a soothing meal.
- Buffalo Wings: Bake chicken wings to avoid the mess of frying, ideal for game day gatherings. Serve with celery sticks to balance the heat. This method saves time while offering a delicious snack.
- Green Goddess Soup: Create a soup inspired by green goddess dressing, featuring a creamy, herbaceous blend. This soup is a wholesome way to enjoy greens, especially during colder months. It transforms even the simplest salad ingredients into a delightful dish.
- St. Germain Spritz: Combine St. Germain liqueur with dry sparkling wine for a refreshing cocktail. Enhance with cucumber and celery for garnish. This low-alcohol drink is perfect for fans of light and floral beverages.
- Chicken Pot Pie: Prepare a comforting chicken pot pie with a flaky crust, filled with chicken, onions, carrots, and peas in a creamy sauce. Though pre-made versions are available, homemade is always worth the effort. Enjoy this classic dish for ultimate comfort food satisfaction.
- Chicken Salad Sandwich: Mix green apple, red onion, and celery for crunch in your chicken salad sandwich. Blend with mustard, mayo, and red wine vinegar for a creamy and tangy taste. This combination creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
- Classic Stuffing: Sauté chopped celery and onion in butter for a fragrant stuffing base. Mix with dried bread cubes, chicken broth, and eggs, ensuring everything is well-coated. Bake until the stuffing is golden and delicious, perfect for a holiday feast.
Ingredients
- Onion, finely chopped
- Carrot, finely chopped
- Celery, finely chopped
- Olive oil
- Milk
FAQ
- What can I do with celery before it wilts?
- Celery can be used in a variety of dishes such as soups, salads, and sauces. It can add a satisfying crunch to salads like chicken salad sandwiches or provide a savory base in recipes like Bolognese sauce.
- Is celery an essential ingredient in a Bloody Mary?
- While not essential to the drink itself, a celery stick is a classic garnish that adds a refreshing element to the cocktail and is traditionally included.
- How can I add more texture to my salads using celery?
- Celery is perfect for adding texture due to its natural crunch. You can incorporate it into salads like a kale crunch salad or a chicken salad sandwich to enhance the texture without overpowering the flavors.
- Can celery be used in soup recipes?
- Yes, celery is often used in soups, providing a savory depth of flavor. It can be included in classics like chicken noodle soup or more unique options like green goddess soup.
- What role does celery play in classic stuffing?
- In stuffing, celery is sautéed with onions to create aromatic and flavorful ingredients that enhance the overall taste of the dish. Its natural crunch also adds a pleasant texture to the stuffing.
Tips
- When preparing Bolognese sauce, finely chop your vegetables, including celery, and “sweat” them in olive oil. This technique helps the vegetables meld into the sauce, enhancing the overall flavor.
- For a classic chicken noodle soup, consider adding extra vegetables like peppers or leafy greens such as spinach or kale for added nutrition and flavor.
- If you’re making chicken wings, consider baking them instead of frying to save time and reduce mess. However, don’t forget the celery sticks, which are essential for balancing the spice of the wings.
- In a chicken salad sandwich, incorporate crunchy ingredients like celery, green apple, and red onion for texture, and use a mix of mustard, mayo, and red wine vinegar for a creamy, tangy dressing.
Equipment
- Dutch Oven – Useful for making Bolognese Sauce, Chicken Pot Pie, Braised Short Ribs, and Osso Buco.
- Immersion Blender – Handy for blending soups like Green Goddess Soup.
- Cocktail Shaker – For making cocktails like Bloody Mary and St. Germain Spritz.
- Mandoline Slicer – Helps with finely slicing vegetables for salads or mirepoix preparation.
- Cornstarch Slurry Containers – Useful for marinating chicken in Black Pepper Chicken.
- Baking Sheet with Rack – Ideal for baking Buffalo Wings to avoid a mess.
- Cocktail Picks – For garnishing drinks with celery and other accompaniments.
- Pie Dish – Necessary for baking Chicken Pot Pie.
