Spring

Celery Salad and Cheese on Toasts

April 18, 2013
4
2 Ratings
Photo by James Ransom
  • Serves 4 for lunch
Author Notes

I'm a 70s kid. Celery was on every hors d'oeuvres table at every boozy party, on every Super Bowl spread, in every snack bag. I have a fondness for its crude snap, its genuine humbleness. At Prune, in New York City, Gabrielle Hamilton has served celery salad for years. There's not much to it, and I've sort of made up my version, which I hope does justice to hers. And she pairs the crunchy, rough-around-the-edges salad with a toast topped with a large slab of Cambozola. What could make for a better lunch, really? —Amanda Hesser

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 5 celery stalks, sliced diagonally, 1/4-inch thick
  • 5 radishes, cut into thin wedges
  • 3 tablespoons parsley leaves, left mostly whole
  • 2 scallions, sliced diagonally
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small garlic clove, smashed and chopped
  • Salt
  • Juice from half a lemon
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 thick slices airy country bread, lightly toasted just before serving
  • 4 thick slices Cambozola cheese or other mild, creamy blue cheese
Directions
  1. Combine the celery, radishes, parsley and scallions. In a jar, combine the mustard, garlic, salt, and lemon juice. Add the olive oil. Seal the jar with a lid. Shake to emulsify the dressing. Taste and adjust the flavor, if needed. Pour half the dressing over the celery, etc., and mix. Let sit for 5 minutes, then decide if it needs more dressing.
  2. Meanwhile, toast the bread and top with the cheese. Serve with the salad.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Amanda Hesser
    Amanda Hesser
  • Danielle
    Danielle
  • Holly
    Holly
  • Judy
    Judy
Amanda Hesser

Recipe by: Amanda Hesser

Before starting Food52 with Merrill, I was a food writer and editor at the New York Times. I've written several books, including "Cooking for Mr. Latte" and "The Essential New York Times Cookbook." I played myself in "Julie & Julia" -- hope you didn't blink, or you may have missed the scene! I live in Brooklyn with my husband, Tad, and twins, Walker and Addison.

9 Reviews

Danielle October 1, 2013
This was so delicious! My husband and I really enjoyed it.
 
Amanda H. October 1, 2013
Thanks for the comment!
 
Holly August 18, 2013
Just made this! It was so easy and tasty. Really delicious.
 
Amanda H. August 19, 2013
Thanks for letting me know!
 
Judy July 28, 2013
really delicious! everyone loved the salad. thanks for posting!
 
Amanda H. July 28, 2013
Glad you enjoyed it!
 
Chimpscout July 24, 2013
I wish your print option would include the photo!
 
Gristle &. July 24, 2013
I'm grateful it doesn't- saves on my ink cartridges.
 
Amanda H. July 25, 2013
That's the reason we don't include the photo -- to save people ink. Hope you can understand.