Waldorf Salad

After my horrible attempt at channeling Don Drapper during the Mad Men premier last Sunday, I begrudgingly came to the realization that instead of suave Don, I relate more to Betty right now. Yay me. Haha. In the later seasons of the show, Betty’s story arch swirls around her struggles with weight loss and ongoing diet. Since I’m toning up for summer, I took a page out of her book and whipped up a recipe that she most certainly enjoyed back in the 1960s; a waldorf salad. It can be made in minutes, but is special enough to serve at any dinner party…I mean, the classic recipe was first created by the fancy Waldorf Hotel in NYC, so clearly they know what they’re doing.

Traditionally the salad is packed with mayonnaise, but I made it super low cal by omitting the mayo and mixing in plain yogurt instead. Ta-dah! Instantly slimming but still allowing me to celebrate the vibe of this awesome show. And guess what, you won’t miss all that mayonnaise. In fact, I think the yogurt pairs much nicer with the sweet grapes, crunchily refreshing celery, earthy walnuts, and tart apples. It’s weird to pair such healthy ingredients with goopey, globby mayo (clearly I’m not a fan)…so definitely use the yogurt. But yeah! A few chewy golden raisins get tossed in for an extra texture and then it’s all scooped over a simple lettuce wedge.

It’s crisp, cool, and refreshing. So try it out!

**Add more or less of any ingredient for your own, customized waldorf salad…I do!**

2 celery stalks

1 apple

1 cup red seedless grapes

1/2 lemon (juiced)

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1/4 – 1/2 walnuts (toasted, chopped)

1/4 cup golden raisins

1 tablespoon honey

Salt/pepper to taste

1 head of iceberg lettuce

Slice the celery.

Peel and dice the apple.

Cut the grapes in half.

Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes (I like to eat it immediately, so this step is optional).

Scoop onto a wedge of lettuce.

Enjoy!