Chopped Shrimp Waldorf Salad

We were in the car, heading home from the farmer's market, and discussing what to have for lunch.  I wanted a salad, but Annie said that we didn't have very much Romaine lettuce left.  Undaunted, I started calling out some salad ingredients: avocado? Got.  Feta? Got.  Chicken? Not much.  Ham? Nope.

Then Annie said, "Hey, we've got grapes and apples from the farmer's market.  And celery in the fridge.  How about we make Waldorf salad?  I have a recipe from Fine Cooking magazine that I've been meaning to try, the same one that featured the Chopped Mexican Salad and Chopped Greek Salad."

Sounds good to me!

Chopped Shrimp Waldorf Salad

The traditional Waldorf salad consists of apples, celery, grapes and nuts, with a mayonnaise-based dressing.  We've done Waldorf salad before, using Granny Smith and Fuji apples, raisins, craisins and pecans with a sour cream-based dressing.  This recipe from Fine Cooking adds in chopped, steamed shrimp for an added savoriness.

Chopped Shrimp Waldorf Salad

adapted from Fine Cooking, June/July 2006 issue, p59.

Salad ingredients

20 large shrimp, shelled
1 head of romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
2 small Fuji apples, cut into 1/4 inch dice
2 cups red seedless grapes, halved
3 ribs celery, cut into 1/4 inch dice
1/2 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted
1 Tablespoon chives, chopped

Dressing ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon chopped parsley (the original recipe calls for tarragon)
1 Teaspoon Dijon mustard
Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Halved Red Flame Grapes

Method:

1. Steam the shrimp in a steamer basket for 3 minutes. Remove from steamer and let cool.

Steamed Shrimp

2. Whisk the mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice and mustard together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Cut the cooled shrimp into 1/2 inch pieces and mix with the Romaine, apples, grapes, celery and toasted almond slivers.
4. Toss with enough dressing to lightly coat (Note: you may not need it all).

Chopped Shrimp Waldorf Salad with Dressing

 

5. Season to taste with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. (I actually sprinkled in some paprika on mine.)
6. Serve in individual bowls and sprinkle with chopped chives.

Chopped Shrimp Waldorf Salad

Let me tell you, there's a lot of flavor going on here. The sweetness of the apples and grapes balances against the tanginess of the buttermilk and lemon.  The shrimp adds a nice, savory surprise while the chopped celery and toasted almonds are a delightful backdrop.

I'd say this recipe is another winner. And the possibilities for playing around are endless!  Sunflower seeds instead of almonds.  Chopped green onion and blanched broccoli instead of celery.  Crab meat instead of shrimp - awwww, yeah!

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Aloha, Nate

Hungry for More Dishes from Fine Cooking? Click below:

Chopped Greek Salad

Braised Chicken with 40 cloves of garlic

Mexican Chopped Salad

Turkey Tortilla Soup

Creamy Winter Greens Gratin