Clem's Waldorf Salad

 

No, it's not made with "waldorfs". In the third episode of the second season of Fawlty Towers ("Waldorf Salad" episode), an archetypal American guest in Basil Fawlty's Torquay hotel asks for a Waldorf Salad for late dinner. Basil, obviously oblivious to what such a salad is, responds by saying, "I think we're just out of waldorfs":

 


Fawlty Towers Hotel

 


Basil and his Waldorf Salad American hotel guest

 

This salad is named for the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, New York where it first appeared in 1896. Originally, the Waldorf Salad did not contain walnuts or grapes - they were later inclusions. This is a simple salad to make for a spring or summer's day.


Here's how to make a latter day Waldorf Salad:

 

1. Ingredients
 

  • Apple.
    Choose a tart variety: The green variety Granny Smith is regularly used. For a red, you can use Pink Lady.
     
  • Grapes.
    Your choice. Choose a seedless variety if possible (the crunchy, green, seedless variety is particularly good for this salad).

     
  • Celery.
     
  • Diced red onion.
     
  • Roasted/toasted walnuts.
    You can also use pecan nuts (and/or).
     
  • Fresh lemon juice.
     
  • Mayonnaise.
     
  • Thick (Greek) yoghurt.
     
  • Sugar (to taste).
     
  • Condiments.
     

 

2. Method
 

  • Core the apple(s) and then dice them (or make thin slices as you prefer).
    Add the apple to a mixing bowl.
    Douse the pieces with some lemon juice to help deter browning (oxidation - the enzyme polyphenol oxidase and phenolic compounds released from broken apple cells react in the presence of oxygen to form melanin).
    You may choose to add some sugar to balance out the tartness of the apples.
     
  • Slice one to two stalks of celery, and chop up some of the leaves.
    Add these to the mixing bowl.
     
  • De-stalk the grapes (your choice of quantity) and add them whole or halved to the bowl.
     
  • Dice the red onion and add to the bowl.
     
  • Separately, mix mayonnaise and yoghurt (1 part to 1 part).
     
  • Add the prepared dressing to the salad and mix well.

    Note: You may choose to extend the salad by adding some form of protein in it.
     
  • Taste and adjust with condiments, sugar or lemon juice if necessary.
     
  • Your Waldorf Salad is now ready.
     

ENJOY!
 

 


Clem's Waldorf Salad


 

All my cooking (some without recipes) can be found here (click on each photo to go to that dish's page):

 

http://clemkuek.com/photoalbum/photo696.html

 

Video presentations can be found here:

Clem cooks

 

 

www.clemkuek.com

22 September 2025
 

 



Created by Clem Kuek