A very simple homemade creamy dressing ** and you can even add some Craisins to it, if you want. ** In fact, I've added a few tablespoons of my Brandied Macadamia Nut Cranberry Relish to it for Thanksgiving (use search here for recipe) **
You can use red or green apples, and red or green grapes. I like green Granny Smith apples best (because they're tart) with red grapes. Prettiest to use different color apple and grapes. If you're making this for a crowd, use 1 each red & green apple, plus red & green grapes ** Perfect for Christmas! *
FROSTED GRAPES. I like to balance little bunches of them around the top of the glass salad bowl ~ and also good to decorate other food platters for the holidays or buffet tables. (they're perfectly edible too)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
1/2 cup seedless grapes, halved
1 apple, cored and chopped (leave peels on ~ they look prettier)
3 TB mayonnaise (or plain yogurt ~ Greek yogurt is best ***)
1 TB sugar
1 TB fresh lemon juice
salt to taste
optional add-in: 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
Lettuce
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (or yogurt), sugar & lemon juice. Add 1/2 tsp salt (more, if desired). Mix in the apple, celery, grapes, and nuts (and raisins, if using). Serve on a bed of fresh lettuce, decorated with frosted grapes.
If you have my recipe for Brandy Cranberry Macadamia Nut Relish (listed separately under Sauces, Condiments), add 1-2 TB of that too
FROSTED GRAPES
1-2 bunches red or green seedless grapes (cut into small bunches)
1 egg white, lightly beaten with about 1 TB water
1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar
Brush grapes with egg white/water mixture. Dip into sugar. Lay out on wax paper to dry (several hours or overnight). NOTE: You are using uncooked egg, so beware of potential health hazard (to children especially)
*** Try using 1/2 Vanilla Greek Yogurt with Honey (I like Greek Gods best) and 1/2 mayonnaise ~ for a slightly sweeter dressing.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you're prone to migraine headaches, use WHITE grapes (not red ~ the skin of the red grapes contains histamines) and red apples.