Classic Waldorf Salad

Nothing complicated or fancy today...just a quick post of one of my favorite winter salads: Classic Waldorf. I know there are lots of variations on this old favorite, but to me a Waldorf Salad should just be apples, walnuts, raisins and celery (not too much!), lightly bound with a sweet and tangy mayonnaise-based dressing. At a time of year when raw and fresh seem like a distant memory, the presence of this crunchy and juicy salad on the table is a delight.

Waldorf Salad

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 T. lemon juice (or more to taste)
1 T. honey

2 medium-sized sweet-tart apples (I like Pink Lady), cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 large rib of celery, trimmed, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1/2 c. (2 oz.) toasted walnuts, coarsely broken
1/2 cup (heaping) golden raisins

Place the mayonnaise, lemon juice and honey in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Taste and correct the sweet-tart balance with lemon juice. Set aside.

Place the remaining ingredients in a bowl.

Pour the dressing over and fold together until the apples, celery, walnuts and raisins are evenly dressed. 

Serves 3 or 4.