Celery - Did You Know !

Fresh celery can add extra crunch to salads, a depth of flavor to soups and sauces, and a tempting mild grassy note to stuffing and other dishes... but do you know what to look for and how to use it ? Here are a few tips:

How to Buy & Store Celery
Celery is available year-round, but it does have a natural season and is at its best in the Autumn / Fall, with its harvest continuing through winter in warm and temperate climates.

Look for stalks that are firm and unblemished with fresh leaves that aren't wilted even a little bit. Store celery loosely wrapped in plastic (such as an unsealed plastic bag) in the fridge. Properly stored fresh celery will keep up to two weeks.

How to Use Celery

Rinse celery stalks thoroughly before using, as mud tends to sneak in between the stalks. If the stalks seem particularly tough or fibrous you can cut through a section at the bottom, leaving the large strings running up the outside of the stalk uncut and tear the strings up and out of the stalk.

Raw celery is fabulous in salads, how about trying this Celery Mint Salad?

Celery Mint Salad is a simple mix of thinly sliced celery, plenty of fresh mint, a bit of green onion, and a splash of white wine vinegar. The final salad tastes wonderfully refreshing and crunchy.

INGREDIENTS

6 - 8 servings
1 bunch celery
6 sprigs mint
6 green onions
2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
Salt to taste

PREPARATION

(takes about 15 minutes)
1.Cut off and discard the bottom of the celery bunch and separate the bunch into separate stalks. Rinse off any dirt or grit from the celery stalks and pat them dry.
2. Slice the celery crosswise as thinly as possible, and put it in a large salad bowl ... if you have a mandoline you may prefer to use it.

3. Cut the mint into thin ribbons and add it to the celery. Finely chop the green onions and add them to the mix.
4. Drizzle the salad with vinegar and toss the salad thoroughly to combine everything. Add salt to taste.

Original Celery Mint Salad recipe here

If you fancy growing your own celery  - have a look here

All the best Jan