Chilled Tropical Waldorf Delight
This Chilled Tropical Waldorf Delight is a modern twist on the classic dish, perfect for entertaining and making ahead of time. Combining the traditional flavors of apples, walnuts, and celery with a delightful creamy texture, this salad is enhanced with refreshing pineapple and a zesty lemon dressing. Freeze it in molds for an elegant frozen treat that's sure to impress your guests at any dinner party. Serve it on a bed of crisp lettuce for a delightful presentation, and consider garnishing with a dollop of mayonnaise for an added touch of richness.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Eggs
2 (Slightly beaten)
Sugar
1/2 cup
Pineapple juice
1/2 cup
Salt
1/8 teaspoon
Lemon juice
1/4 cup
Celery
1/2 cup (Finely chopped)
Crushed pineapple
1/2 cup (Well drained)
Broken walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup
Apples
2 (Unpeeled and finely chopped)
Heavy cream
1 cup (Whipped)
Instructions
1
In the top of a double boiler, combine the slightly beaten eggs, sugar, pineapple juice, salt, and lemon juice.
2
Cook the mixture over simmering water, stirring constantly until it thickens, approximately 8-10 minutes.
3
Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
4
Once cooled, gently fold in the finely chopped celery, well-drained crushed pineapple, broken walnuts or pecans, and the finely chopped apples.
5
In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
6
Carefully fold the whipped cream into the fruit and nut mixture until well combined.
7
Transfer the Waldorf mixture into one large freezer-safe container or individual molds for freezing.
8
Freeze for several hours or until completely solid.
9
To serve, remove from the freezer and let stand for a few minutes to soften slightly before placing on fresh lettuce leaves.
10
Garnish with a spoonful of mayonnaise if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chilled Tropical Waldorf Delight?
It is a modern, frozen twist on the traditional Waldorf salad, combining apples, walnuts, and celery with pineapple and a zesty lemon dressing in a creamy, frozen base.
How is the base of the salad cooked?
The base is cooked in the top of a double boiler by combining slightly beaten eggs, sugar, pineapple juice, salt, and lemon juice over simmering water.
How long does the egg mixture take to thicken?
The mixture should be stirred constantly and cooked until it thickens, which takes approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
Should the base be cooled before adding other ingredients?
Yes, once the cooked mixture has thickened, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature before folding in the fruit and nuts.
Do I need to peel the apples for this recipe?
No, the recipe calls for two unpeeled apples that are finely chopped.
What type of nuts are used in this Waldorf salad?
You can use 1/2 cup of either broken walnuts or pecans.
How should the celery be prepared?
The celery should be finely chopped; you will need 1/2 cup.
Is the pineapple used in a specific form?
Yes, the recipe requires 1/2 cup of crushed pineapple that has been well drained.
How is the heavy cream incorporated?
One cup of heavy cream should be whipped until soft peaks form and then carefully folded into the fruit and nut mixture.
Can I freeze the salad in individual portions?
Yes, you can transfer the mixture into individual molds for freezing or into one large freezer-safe container.
How long should the salad be frozen?
The salad should be frozen for several hours or until it is completely solid.
How do you serve the Chilled Tropical Waldorf Delight?
Remove it from the freezer, let it stand for a few minutes to soften slightly, and then place it on fresh lettuce leaves.
What is a recommended garnish for this dish?
For an added touch of richness and traditional flavor, you can garnish the salad with a spoonful of mayonnaise.
Is this recipe suitable for making ahead of time?
Absolutely, it is specifically designed to be prepared and frozen in advance, making it perfect for entertaining.
What gives the salad its 'tropical' flavor?
The tropical twist comes from the inclusion of pineapple juice and crushed pineapple combined with zesty lemon juice.
How many eggs are required for the base?
The recipe requires 2 slightly beaten eggs.
How much sugar is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of sugar.
Is salt included in the recipe?
Yes, 1/8 teaspoon of salt is added to the egg and juice mixture.
What is the preparation method for the heavy cream?
The heavy cream must be whipped before being folded into the other ingredients.
Can I use pecans instead of walnuts?
Yes, the recipe allows for either walnuts or pecans based on your preference.
Is the lemon juice fresh or bottled?
The recipe specifies 1/4 cup of lemon juice; while fresh is often preferred for zest, either may be used.
What kind of lettuce is best for presentation?
The recipe suggests using fresh, crisp lettuce leaves for a delightful presentation.
Is the fruit mixture stirred or folded?
The fruit, nuts, and whipped cream should be gently folded in to maintain a light and airy texture.
What temperature should the egg mixture be when adding fruit?
It should be cooled to room temperature to prevent the fruit from cooking or the whipped cream from melting.
Does the recipe require a double boiler?
Yes, using the top of a double boiler ensures the egg mixture cooks gently and evenly without scrambling.
What is the total count of ingredients?
There are 10 main ingredients in this recipe.
Can this be served as a dessert?
Yes, due to its frozen, sweet, and creamy nature, it is often categorized as a dessert salad.
Why do I need to drain the crushed pineapple?
Draining the pineapple prevents excess liquid from making the salad too icy or thin once frozen.
Should the nuts be finely ground?
No, the nuts should be 'broken' to provide a pleasant crunch and texture.
How much pineapple juice is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of pineapple juice for the cooked base.