Winter Time Salad

When I was a kid and fresh produce at the market was much less plentiful in winter than today, one of my mom's "go to" salads would be Waldorf Salad.  The ingredients were usually on hand and it doesn't take long to prepare.  And my whole family loved it.  What's not to love--walnuts, fruit and mayonnaise dressing? Yum! 

To cut down on the calories and increase the vegetable quotient, I'm made a few changes to up date this favorite winter time salad.

Waldorf Salad

Serves 2

1 stalk celery, sliced thinly
1 medium apple or pear, unpeeled and chopped
1/4 c. raisins
2 T. toasted walnuts, chopped
4 c. romaine, red or green leaf lettuce, chopped into 1" pieces
1 T. olive oil
1 T. seasoned rice vinegar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine celery, apple, raisins, walnuts and lettuce in a large mixing bowl.  In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, cinnamon, salt and pepper.  When well blended, add to the fruit and lettuce mixture and toss.

Toasting the walnuts really brings out their flavor.  If you have raw walnuts, you can toast them in a microwave.  I chop them first and place on a plate.  Microwave the walnuts for one to two minutes on high.  When you can smell that delicious toasted nutty smell, they are ready.  Be careful to creep up on the cooking time.  Nuts are easy to overcook and burn.  Let them cool before adding them to the salad.

Nutritional Information:

Calories 205, carbohydrate 30 grams, protein 2 grams, fat 12 grams, sodium 25 mgs, potassium 291 mgs.