Waldorf Salad Recipe- Vegan, Refined Sugar Free Options

You know those days when you're just sooooo productive, but by the end of it, you realize you forgot to do some important things and you feel ready to collapse?
Well, today was one of those days. I did mountains of laundry, mountains of dishes, did a decent amount of homeschooling work with the boys, a lot of housework, a lot of cooking.... and by the end of it, I am zonked, and want to go to bed, even though I didn't finish the post I was in the middle of writing, that I REALLY wanted posted today.

So instead I'll leave you with this recipe for Waldorf salad, a vegan and healthy version.

What is Waldord salad, and whats with its funny name?
Well, it was invented by Oscar Tschirky of the Waldorf Astoria, to serve at the hotel, and that's where the name Waldorf comes from. Its made with apples, celery, walnuts, and mayo... and my kids can't get enough of it! The only salad my kids will gobble down faster than this is fruit salad, and my kids are salad lovers.

I get nostalgic when I think of Waldorf salad, because that was one of my dad's specialties- it was his favorite salad when I was growing up, and he'd make it on a regular basis. I hadn't had it in years and years, and then recently had it a few times and it brought back warm memories... Which is why its kinda funny that this picture of Waldorf salad I took with my phone (I need a new camera pronto!) is all hazy and dreamy... (Do I sound as tired as I feel? Lol. I read things I am writing and saying "Girl, you sound craaaaaaaaaaaaazy!")

Celery isn't so cheap round these parts, but in the right season, fennel is. I've experimented with this recipe, and it tastes as great with fennel as with celery, so feel free to use whatever is cheaper where you live. I make mine with vegan flax based mayonnaise, but you can use regular homemade mayonnaise or store bought mayo. And you can leave out the walnuts to make it nut free.

And yes, I know the combination sounds weird, but trust me, its terrific!

Waldorf Salad Recipe- Vegan, Refined Sugar Free Options

Ingredients:
2 cups chopped celery ribs or diced fennel/anise bulb (about one large bulb)
2 cups chopped apples- ideally a mix of sweet and tart apples- about 3-4 apples
1/4-1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts (optional)
3-4 heaping tablespoons mayonnaise
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice (or more or less to taste)
1-2 tablespoons honey, coconut sugar, sugar, or other sweetener (or leave out entirely)
1/4 tsp garlic powder or to taste
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste (optional)

Instructions:
1. Chop the celery/fennel into small pieces, but not too tiny.

2. Chop the apple into pieces the same size as the celery/fennel.

3. Break the walnuts each into three or four pieces so you have large chunks.

4. Mix the celery/fennel, apple, and walnuts.

5. Add mayonnaise and mix.

6. Add honey/sugar and lemon juice to taste, a little bit at a time. The sweeter the apples, the more lemon and less sweetener you'll need; the tarter the apples, the less lemon and more sweetener.

7. Add a drop of salt at a time, to taste, and a drop of garlic powder, and pepper.

8. Serve cold. Can be served immediately, but it's just as good the next day.

Ever have Waldorf salad before? Are you a fan? What do you put in yours? Does this look like a recipe you'd try?