Of course, the most popular way to enjoy apples is to eat them out of hand. The second most popular is likely in pies or fillings. Lately, however, apples are being featured more prominently in salads – creating a big demand for apple salads. Obviously, THE most famous (and probably the most popular) of the apple salads is the Waldorf salad. The Waldorf salad [WAWL-dorf] was created at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in 1896 not by a chef but by the maître d’hôtel Oscar Tschirky. It was an instant success.

The original version of this salad contained only apples, celery and mayonnaise, but chopped walnuts later became an integral part of the dish. A Waldorf salad is usually served on top of a bed of lettuce when plated.

Classic Waldorf Salad  (Makes 5 1/2 cups)

1/2 Cup                            Mayonnaise
1 TBSP                             Granulated Sugar
1 TBSP                             Lemon Juice
1/8 tsp.                            Kosher Salt
3 Medium Apples             Cored, trimmed and diced in ½ to 1” pieces
½ Cup                              Chopped Walnuts

Instructions:

1.Combine first 4 ingredients.
2.Stir in remaining ingredients.
3.Cover and chill.

Other modern adaptations include:
*Grapes
*Raisins or other diced fruits (like apricots)
*Toasted almonds instead of walnuts
*Green or red onions
*Celery seed

Another adaptation of this famous salad has a Far East flair, and I absolutely love it! It’s my Thai Apple Salad “Waldorf” Style.

Thai Apple Salad “Waldorf” Style (Yield:  6 cups or 6 to 8 servings)

4 cups             Granny Smith Apples (4 med.), peeled, cored & diced ½”
1 tsp.               Ginger, fresh, minced
½ tsp.              Curry Powder (Oriental Hot preferred)
½ cup              Celery, cut in ¼” dice
½ cup              Peanuts, honey roasted
¼ cup              Green Onion, cut in ¼” lengths
Pinch –             Cayenne Pepper
1 cup               Mayonnaise
Pinch –            Salt
¼ cup              Thai, Peanut Sauce (your favorite brand)

1. Combine all ingredients, except peanuts. Stir and chill until needed for service.
2. Top individual portions with additional honey roasted peanuts if desired.

At Nino’s, we also have a VERY popular apple salad that we call Nino’s Apple Cole Slaw. We’ve featured this salad and sampled it many times. It goes particularly well with grilled chicken and barbecued pork. In addition to the ingredients listed here, you can substitute pears instead of apples and add other sun-dried fruits. Even your favorite nuts!

Nino’s Apple Cole Slaw (Ingredients for 8 Portions:)

1 – 24 oz Package    Nino’s Green Cabbage
2 Large                     Granny Smith Apples, julienned
½ Cup                       Carrots, cut matchstick size
½ Cup                       Sun-Dried Cherries
1 Cup                        Brianna’s Brand Poppy Seed Dressing
2 TBSP                      Lemon Juice
Water                       as needed
To Taste                   Salt & Pepper

Instructions
1. Mix together approximately 1 cup of water and the lemon juice.
2. Core apples, leaving the skin on, and julienne. Soak julienned apples in the lemon juice water for a few minutes, then drain well and add to a mixing bowl.
3. Add the remaining ingredients to the julienned apples and toss.

There are SO many delicious apple salad recipes that it’s unfair not to list them all, but I think you get the idea, and I hope you’ll consider preparing an apple salad for an upcoming meal.

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