Waldorf Salad with Dates

This classic salad was created in the 1890s at New York's Waldorf-Astoria hotel by maître d' Oscar Tschirky. The original salad contained only mayonnaise, apples and celery, but today it is usually served with walnuts and other ingredients.

Our cousin, Judy Potter McMullen, recently added dates to the Waldorf Salad she made for a family gathering (just happens to be Barry’s favorite salad). And, it’s only fitting that she served her delicious rendition of this 1890s salad in an antique red glass bowl.

Waldorf Salad with Dates   Serves 4

3 medium Golden Delicious or Red Delicious apples (about 2 to 2 1/2 cups cubed)

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 dash salt

1 cup thinly sliced celery

1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

About 1/4 cup chopped dates

1/4 to 1/3 cup mayonnaise (use olive oil based mayo for a healthier alternative)

1.     Wash apples; core and cut into 1/2” cubes. The original recipe left the peels on the apples; Judy prefers to peel them.

2.     Sprinkle cubed apples with lemon juice and salt. Add celery, nuts and dates. 

3.     Gently fold mayonnaise into apple mixture.

Nutritional Analysis per serving (126 g) : Calories 130, Fat 5.1g (Saturated fat 0.8g, Cholesterol 4mg), Sodium 168mg, Carbohydrate 22.4g (Fiber 3.0g, Sugars 15.7g), Protein 0.8g, Vit A 4%, Calcium 2%, Vit C 8%, Iron 2%.