Waldorf salad
| Industry | Food |
|---|---|
| Founded | March 13, 1896 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Salad |
A Waldorf salad is a fruit and nut combination salad commonly prepared with celery, fresh apple slices, walnuts, and grapes, all mixed with mayonnaise. Traditionally, it is presented on a bed of lettuce and served as a starter or a light dish. The inclusion of green apples, celery, and grapes contributes to a visually appealing color scheme.
History
The salad derives its name from the Waldorf-Astoria hotel located in New York City. It was originally created for a charitable event supporting St. Mary's Hospital for Children on March 13, 1896. The recipe was developed or inspired by the hotel's maître d'hôtel, Oscar Tschirky, who is known for numerous signature dishes there. This salad was first published in 1896 within The Cook Book authored by "Oscar of the Waldorf".
Initially, the recipe contained only apples, celery, and mayonnaise. By 1928, nuts had been incorporated when the salad was featured in The Rector Cook Book.
Modern versions
Current adaptations of the Waldorf salad frequently add ingredients such as chicken, turkey, and dried fruits including dates or raisins. Dressings have diversified to include seasoned mayonnaise or yogurt bases, with some recipes adding zest from orange or lemon. Alternative versions may use a peanut butter and yogurt dressing or replace celery with cauliflower.
In popular culture
The Waldorf salad became well-known after its mention in a 1979 episode of the British comedy series Fawlty Towers, where an American visitor requests it. It is also alluded to in Cole Porter's song "You're the Top".