Celery. Does anyone really like celery? I’ve always kind of been on the fence as to whether I like it or not. Maybe it’s good or maybe it’s just necessary, but most of the time when I buy it, it sits in my refrigerator, unused, until it becomes so wilted that I finally just chuck it out. Other times I’ll attempt to salvage it by chopping and freezing it to put in soup later. But when you have a gallon bag of frozen celery chunks, and then look at chopping more without having used the rest? You’re back at square one. (And yes, I’ve made cream of celery soup when this happens, but again, do I really like celery that much? No.) So I set myself a challenge to use a stalk of celery this weekend– in its entirety.
Top of my list? Soup.
Ya know that yellow, leafy, stringy stuff in the middle? It’s garbage for eating, but packed with flavor, so first I’m going to chop that up along with an onion, some carrots, and mushrooms and whip up some soup. This time, I’m going to opt for a batch of creamy wild rice soup. This is a midwestern favorite and so easy to make. I’ve been using this recipe is for years.
Side note: I find it odd when people say that making soup is a lot of work. All you really have to do is throw stuff in a pot and let it simmer. Soup is awesome. It’s hearty and nutritious and all it really takes is some quick chopping (a quality knife helps, I have this one). Not convinced?Here are some tips to help simplify the process.
Next on my list? Pasta salad. I’m definitely putting myself in the midwestern category with this one. Pasta salad with celery, peas, and onion; cheese, and peppers optional. This is something my grandma, Lori, used to make. She was the ultimate midwestern gal. Doubt me if you want, but it’s delicious.
As for the rest of it? I think I can manage eating these last few stalks. My toddler kinda digs celery, so I’m sure she’ll help. I’d offer her ants on a log, but I know where that will lead: licking celery sticks covered in peanut butter raisin dip. Kids….
What are your favorite ways to use celery? I’d love to know!
— Funky Crunchy Mama
What an interesting post! I can’t say that I’m the biggest celery fan myself, but when I do eat it, it’s just raw or with peanut butter. Thanks for some new ideas!
Celery! I am on a celery kick right now- usually with peanut butter or in whatever I’m cooking- stir fry, chicken & rice with veggies, crock pot- pot roast & veggies. I’ve been using so much of it recently I have started replanting the roots & letting it regrow in my garden. I’ve got 4 re-growing right now that should be ready to eat in a month or so!
That’s commitment! I’ve always wanted to try to replant the base. Perhaps this summer. 🙂
I love to put celery on my salad!! Love that yummy crunch! Thanks for sharing!!
I always use celery in my soups! I think soups make such an easy dinner! They’re my go-to dinner when there is a ton of stuff in the fridge, and not a lot of time.
Ditto! I love making soup. <3
I always have a hard time using celery because I am the only one out of 5 people in the house that likes it! I tried to give it to my kids with peanut butter but they refused to eat it. We use it in soups mostly.
Wow! They must really not care for it if they won’t eat it with peanut butter. I figured that was a sure thing!
Celery is good added to soups and salads. I’ve juiced it as well. And it has the ability to lower blood pressure.
That’s interesting! I hadn’t heard that before. I do have a juicer….
Thanks for the tip!
I just bough some celery to use as a dipping snack. I like to make my own yogurt dips to cut down on sodium.
That’s a great idea, Julie! If you have a chance, I’d love it if you shared some of your recipes. 🙂