Abundance of celery?

[cristeen]

What on earth can I do with it? I think I have 3 heads in the drawer already and it looks like I'll get another head in my CSA box on Friday. What do I do with all this celery - neither of us will eat celery sticks?

[redvlagrl]

Celery soup is yummy - saute some oinoins and garlic and add lots of celery - you could easily use 2 heads and then good chicken stock, alt and pepper. Simmer until soft. Puree and add some heavy cream (you dont' have to but it's yummier!).

[luv-my-boys]

for some reason celery is ridiculously expensive in winter here but right now I can get it for .45 cents a head. So I typically buy it chop up and freeze to use later in the yr for all my recipes. Especially when I only need a little bit.

[tanyalynn]

I love stir-fried celery--slice it thin, add some garlic, we can't do soy sauce but it'd be good with it I just add extra salt, and some sesame oil and a little sugar. Even better with half celery half baby bok choy. I can use most of a head this way, and it tastes really good cold the next day for lunch.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by cristeen

What on earth can I do with it? I think I have 3 heads in the drawer already and it looks like I'll get another head in my CSA box on Friday. What do I do with all this celery - neither of us will eat celery sticks?

Will you eat it stuffed with egg or tuna salad? Also as a vehicle for hummus is good

[425lisamarie]

do you like salads? I make celery salad when I have lots. It's a homemade mayo based dressing with chopped celery, walnuts, some kind of cheese, usually sharp white cheddar, and dried cranberries.... oh and a little diced red onion or shallot. I like raw finely chopped broccoli and other stuff in mine, DH likes his simple.

[Jaxinator]

Originally Posted by vbactivist

Will you eat it stuffed with egg or tuna salad? Also as a vehicle for hummus is good

Agreed, on both parts. Most things are a good vehicle for hummus, including a spoon.
My mom always chops celery up and puts it into egg salad and chicken salad.

[KristyDi]

Originally Posted by vbactivist

Will you eat it stuffed with egg or tuna salad? Also as a vehicle for hummus is good

And there's always "Ants on a Log" (celery spread w/ peanut butter w/ raisins on top) Brings back memories of elementary school lunch.

[BetsyS]

Most of my recipes start with the trinity (onions, celery, bell pepper), so I like to have it on hand frozen. You can chop it and freeze it alone, or you can freeze the whole trinity together. It's not crispy like fresh, but it works fine in cooking.

[Chicky2]

Originally Posted by BetsyS

Most of my recipes start with the trinity (onions, celery, bell pepper), so I like to have it on hand frozen. You can chop it and freeze it alone, or you can freeze the whole trinity together. It's not crispy like fresh, but it works fine in cooking.

I never thought to freeze celery already chopped. I've done bell peppers and onions, though. Doh!!! Totally doin' that now!

[griffin2004]

this "celery milan" recipe is to die for; my 7 y.o. DD had several servings and wanted it packed in her lunch; I think I got it off recipezaar

8-10 large ribs of celery, cut into 2” chunks
2 c. water
1 chicken bouillon cube
2 T butter
1/3 c grated parmesan

Bring celery, water, and bouillon cube to boil in a medium-sized pan
Cover; simmer for 8 minutes
Drain; toss w/ butter; toss w/ parm

[velochic]

Originally Posted by redvlagrl

Celery soup is yummy - saute some oinoins and garlic and add lots of celery - you could easily use 2 heads and then good chicken stock, alt and pepper. Simmer until soft. Puree and add some heavy cream (you dont' have to but it's yummier!).

Yeah, cream of celery soup. You could make it for a meal, then freeze the rest in a sheet pan (that has taller sides), cut into squares, and put in a ziplock. When you need to thicken a soup or casserole, use a square or two and you have healthy cream of soup rather than the processed stuff sold in cans.

[Llyra]

You can dry it, and then save it to use later in soups and other recipes for flavoring. Blanch it in boiling water for a minute or two, then chop and lay it out on some waxed paper in your car, out of direct sunlight, on a hot day, and go out once or twice in the next few days to turn it, and it'll dry really nicely. Then store it in a closed container in a dark, dry place just like spices and herbs.

[Chicky2]

Originally Posted by Llyra

You can dry it, and then save it to use later in soups and other recipes for flavoring. Blanch it in boiling water for a minute or two, then chop and lay it out on some waxed paper in your car, out of direct sunlight, on a hot day, and go out once or twice in the next few days to turn it, and it'll dry really nicely. Then store it in a closed container in a dark, dry place just like spices and herbs.

I was just thinking of this last night when I was short on supper prep time and remembered I had some that I'd dehydrated. I didn't blanch first, though, and it was just fine! I do blanch other things, like potatoes and brocolli, etc.

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by BetsyS

Most of my recipes start with the trinity (onions, celery, bell pepper), so I like to have it on hand frozen. You can chop it and freeze it alone, or you can freeze the whole trinity together. It's not crispy like fresh, but it works fine in cooking.

I'd never thought of doing that. My personal "trinity" would be onions, garlic and celery, but maybe the same principle applies.

Can one freeze garlic?

[KatWrangler]

You can make a fennel and celery salad.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by Storm Bride

Can one freeze garlic?

You can, but anything in the allium family will be made milder by freezing. Onions and garlic will both lose their bite - the chemicals evaporate leaving behind a milder product. So if it's the bite you're after, freezing isn't your best option.

Good idea on dehydrating the celery! I'm emptying the dehydrator today - I can load it back up with celery.

[Koalamom]

We love to juice it up with carrots and an apple for a little sweet.