Among all the herbs, celery leaves excel in culinary by their deliciousness and health-giving properties. Celery leaves, which are traditionally dismissed as being just a pretty decoration, actually have a bold taste that can be put to a lot of uses in many different ways. The depth and complexity of their flavors are useful for preparing soups and stews and will work as well if fresh salads are their main course. By melting fresh salads, tasty soups, celery leaf cream, recipes using celery leaves are many. Its taste and freshness will add a new and interesting feature to the menu.
Recipes Using Celery Leaves
1-How to Make Celery Leaf Pesto
Celery leaves pesto has a subtle and creamy texture, making it one of the most delicious recipes using celery leaves. Here’s the instructions to make an exceptional pesto:
Ingredients
– 2 cups celery leaves, packed
– 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
– 1/4 cup almonds or walnuts
– 2 minced cloves garlic
– 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 cup olive oil
– 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine celery leaves, basil leaves, walnuts, lemon juice, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add Parmesan cheese and pulse again until combined.
- With the food processor running at moderate speed, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve with pasta, spread on sandwiches, or use as a dip for fresh vegetables.
- Celery Leaf Salad Recipe
2- Celery Leaf Salad Recipe
One of the healthier recipes among other recipes using celery leaves is celery leaf salad. It is also a fast recipe, with straightforward instructions:
Ingredients
– 4 cups celery leaves, thoroughly washed and dried
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
– 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the celery leaves. Ensure they are thoroughly washed and dried to remove any dirt or impurities. Trim off any tough stems and discard them, leaving only the tender leaves.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cleaned and dried celery leaves with the halved cherry tomatoes.
- Next, add the toasted walnuts to the bowl. Toasting the walnuts adds a rich, nutty flavor and enhances their crunchy texture, complementing the freshness of the celery leaves and tomatoes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil to create a simple yet flavorful dressing. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Drizzle the dressing over the celery leaves, tomatoes, and walnuts in the mixing bowl. Gently toss the ingredients until evenly coated, ensuring the dressing is distributed throughout the salad.
- Once the salad is dressed to perfection, transfer it to a serving platter or individual salad bowls.
- How to Make Cream of Celery Soup
3. How to Make Cream of Celery Soup
Another recipe of many recipes using celery leaves is the delicious celery soup. Here’s how to make it step by step:
Ingredients
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 onion, diced
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 5 cups vegetable or chicken broth
– 6 cups celery leaves, thinly sliced
– 1 potato, peeled and diced
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional: cream or yogurt for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic until softened.
- Add vegetable or chicken broth, celery leaves, and diced potato to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender.
- Using an immersion blender or regular blender, blend the soup until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with cream or yogurt if desired.
4-Celery Leaf and Walnut Salad
The celery leaf and walnut salad recipe comes with the easiest steps to follow among other recipes using celery leaves, you can make it fast as follows:
Ingredients
– 2 cups celery leaves
– 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
– 1/4 cup lemon juice
– 1/4 cup good quality walnut oil
– 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
– Salt and black pepper
– Balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine celery leaves, toasted walnuts, salt, black pepper, walnut oil, and olive oil.
- Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette dressing and toss to coat.
- Serve as a flavorful and satisfying salad, perfect for lunch or as a side dish for dinner.
5-Celery Leaf and Tuna Salad
One of the protein recipes using celery leaves is the tuna salad with celery leaves. This recipe will enhance the nutritious content of the meal and elevate the taste. Here are the steps:
Ingredients
– 2 cans (5 ounces each) of tuna, undrained
– 1 cup celery leaves, chopped
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
– In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained tuna and chopped celery leaves.
– Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning according to your preference.
– Serve the celery leaves salad with tuna chilled, garnished with additional celery leaves for a fresh and vibrant presentation.
How to Pick Out the Best Celery Leaves
1- Check Color
While selecting celery, go for bunches having green leaves that will mean freshness and good quality.
The leaves should be without any brown spots or yellowing, as these are an indication of aging or improper storage.
- Crisp Texture
The texture of the leaves should also be considered. They should be crisp and tender when touched by the fingers. Leave those with h brown, wilted, or slimy texture.
- Select the Right Leaves for Your Use
The inner parts, which are lighter and more tender, have a sweet taste with a milder celery flavor. These are perfect for raw consumption in salads, pesto, and smoothies.
On the contrary, the tough and fibrous outer leaves can carry a strong flair in the making of cooked meals such as stews and soups.
- Proper Storage
The lifespan of celery leaves can be maintained by accurate storage. To keep the bunch from drying, place the bunch in an open plastic bag in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator while wrapping them with a slightly damp kitchen towel.
Read Also: All You Want to Know About Dried Thyme
Conclusion
Lastly, celery leaves have a multipurpose function in the Spice Industry, and add flavor to many famous dishes. Recipes using celery leaves can not only be used in soups and salads or spreads but also as herb sauce to finish the dishes to perfection as they can leave their distinct fresh bouquet behind. Whatever the case might be, say if you are using it for a decorative appeal or it is a main ingredient that’s needed for the deepness of flavor, celery leaves are just the right material to give you the added joy when it comes to cooking.
FAQs
- What can be done with celery leaves?
Celery leaves can be used as a flavorful garnish in salads, soups, and stir-fries, or incorporated into recipes for added depth of flavor.
- Are cooked celery leaves good for you?
Yes, cooked celery leaves are nutritious, offering vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They provide dietary fiber, support digestion, and contribute to overall health.
- Can I freeze celery leaves?
Yes, you can freeze celery leaves. Wash and dry them thoroughly, then freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for future use in soups, stocks, and other dishes.
- Can celery leaves be boiled?
Yes, celery leaves can be boiled. Boiling celery leaves can soften them, making them suitable for use in soups, stews, or as a flavoring agent in broth.
