Thursday, October 23, 2014

The Best Fall Slaw!


There are perks to living near a city with several of James Beard Award-Winning Chefs.  Outside of the obviously great food at their restaurants, one of them writes a witty food column for our Sunday newspaper's food section.  Even though Sandy D'Amato no longer lives in Milwaukee and has sold his restaurant Sanford to his Chef de Cuisine (and recent James Beard Award winner as well), he still writes his weekly column. More than a few times, he shares a recipe that I simply have to be make right away. 


Such was the case for this amazing autumnal slaw. Celeriac, apples, celery, red onion and dates tossed with a cardamom dressing.  Doesn't that sound great? 

If you're not familiar with celeriac (also called celery root) and wouldn't know what it looked like if one was staring you in the face, it reminds me of a small ogre's head. Yup. Certainly not the beauty queen of the produce aisle, but, peeled of it's outer knobby and warty-looking brown exterior, it's a wonderful, mild vegetable. I've used it cooked and mashed in lieu of potatoes (delicious and low starch) and also in soups, but this was the first time I've used it raw. Not related to celery at all, celeriac is a relative of fennel, carrots, parsley and parsnips. 


My husband started 'tasting' the slaw before our fish was grilled that evening and before the end of dinner the entire bowl (more than you see here) was gone. It won high praise from my husband and we both gave it two thumbs up. It is the best fall slaw!



The Best Fall Slaw

Adapted from Chef Sanford d'Amato
Printable Recipe

1 pound celery root (celeriac)
½ red onion
2 crisp apples (such as Gala or Fuji)
2 ribs celery, cleaned and cut on the bias ¼ inch thick
6 to 8 pitted dates, cut into ¼-inch pieces
1-¼ teaspoons kosher salt
¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, or mint, chopped

Lemon cardamom dressing:

Zest of ½ lemon
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons honey (my addition)

To prepare the lemon cardamom dressing, combine the lemon zest and juice in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Reduce to 1 tablespoon liquid. Cool to room temperature, then add the remaining dressing ingredients and blend well.

Peel the celery root to yield about 10 ounces. Cut into ¼-inch slices, then cut the slices into thin, julienne strips and cut those in half. Place in a large bowl.

Peel and core the onion, then slice very thin. Rinse under hot water, then in cold, and drain. Add to celery root in bowl.

Cut the apples in half, core, and cut into quarters.  Cut each quarter into ¼-inch-thick slices from stem to bottom. Add to bowl.

Add sliced celery, dates, salt, pepper and parsley or mint. Mix in reserved dressing. Toss well, cover and chill in refrigerator until ready to use.

61 comments:

  1. I can almost taste this--the freshness of the dressing and the crunch of all those lovely ingredients. And, I love those fallen leaves. Two treats of autumn!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. Thank you, Bonnie. It was delicious. I hope the leaves don't come down too quickly! They seem to be more pretty this year that last year.

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  2. love all those ingredients,can't wait to try ! Have a nice weekend dear, a warm hug

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    1. I think you'll really like it, Chiara. Thank you for your kind words :)

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  3. I still haven't tried celeriac but this slaw sure sounds good to me! I love your pretty mosaic too Susan:@)

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  4. Your lawn looks like our lawn!
    I pinned the salad on the picnic table..LOVELY!
    I have to make this..I know I will love it.I would eat this before dinner like J did:)

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  5. I want to try this one for sure! It looks irresistibly crunchy with little bursts of sweetness. Your leaves are gorgeous! :)

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  6. Definitely sounds like something I would like - thanks for sharing the recipe. I have never used celery root - raw or cooked. What a beautiful Fall mosaic !!

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  7. Hi Susan, your slaw sounds perfect, just tried celery root and was in love. The leaves in your pictures are so colorful, great pics!

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  8. I received celeriac in my farm share this week! I can't wait to make this Susan. Love your fall photos!

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  9. The slaw salad looks so crunchy, fresh and full of flavours. And I love the cardamon in the dressing.

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  10. Sounds very good Susan - Bev has been adding apple to her slaw as well. We've made slaw from kohlrabi and it also works well.

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  11. Sounds like a great salad. You're right. Celery root won't win a beauty contest. My husband tastes things too and I have to be careful or I'll look around and it will be gone.
    Sam

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  12. I believe you! I love using celery root in my kitchen!

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    1. Thanks, Ela. I probably never used it myself until about 7 years ago.

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  13. What a beautiful slaw! I can almost taste it. You captured Fall in all of its glory. I want to try this Susan!

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    1. Thank you, Penny! We're just getting slightly past peak now. Wish it would last longer!

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  14. This is going to be my new favorite slaw!
    Love the seasonal touch with dates, apples and celery.

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  15. Fall has put on quite a show for you this year, Susan. I (almost) feel as if I'm looking into my own backyard . . . with a bare picnic table.
    Which I think it's why I prefer your table, amid a sea of golden leaves, flaunting a plate of colorful, crispy slaw! Flirt.

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    1. I think it was a prettier fall than we've had for a while. Probably due to all the snow and rainfall this year. Soon the table will be covered with snow, pretty also but not as flirtatious :)

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  16. This sounds amazing!! I can hardly wait to try it...apples, cranberries...cardamom!! Mmmmm.

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    1. I was shocked at how much my husband loved it :) Thanks, Kate!

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  17. this looks so good, love that your hubby gobbled it and wish our food scene was better here
    have a lovely weekend

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  18. Love the idea of dates in that salad, Susan. Would never have occurred to me. A beautiful photo too. No wonder your husband loved it. Great fall flavors!

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    1. If you love dates like I do you will love it. Thanks, Barbara!

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  19. This sounds incredible and must be on my table soon. I love that outdoor photo with the table and that beautiful table and leaves. Pinning this one.

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  20. Your photos are making my mouth water --- and that dressing sounds incredible --- I have to try this one soon!

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  21. Haha I know why this was inhaled in a minute! :P
    Beautiful slaw!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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    1. I know you're thinking about spring recipes now :). Thanks CCU.

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  22. This sounds delicious and just love all the ingredients in this slaw. So funny, we enjoy reading about recipes in our Sunday paper as well and sometimes can't wait try them out. Have a great week!

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    1. I've gotten so many good recipes out of many different newspapers! Thanks, Ladies!

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  23. I have never tasted celery root and am now curious about it as your dish looks so good!

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  24. I have never tried celeriac or seen them before, but have seen lots of recipes using it! Your slaw looks really fresh and appetizing! I would really love to try celeriac if I can find one!

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    1. Perhaps they aren't available there, Joyce. Hope you find one :) Thank you!

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  25. Great post! I love celeriac and it's wonderful that you were able to share the recipe. Looks like a great side!

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    1. We're having it again tonight with our daughter, son-in-law and family :) Thanks, El!

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  26. Ah, if only I liked celeriac. But it does sound rich with fall flavor!

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    1. That's too bad, Joanne! You could probably just add more regular celery.

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  27. Hopefully this comment goes through…I love you slaw recipe. It is different and perfect for fall.

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    1. I was having trouble leaving a comment on some site recently too, Karen. Probably a temporary glitch. Thanks so much!

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  28. What an amazing array of flavors in this fall slaw! It is so fun when chefs share their fabulous recipes and to get such a rave review by family - that is the best review!

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  29. This is such a nice and pretty slaw...I love all the vegetables in it and the dressing just sounds delicious!
    Hope you are having a lovely week Susan :)

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  30. It has been a warm autumn here and so I've still been enjoying many cold salads, Susan. This looks so unique--I never bought celeriac before and now I want to try it.

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  31. I am sure that cardamom dressing must have given this salad such a bold flavor! Great salad Susan!

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