Mediterranean Celery Delight
This Mediterranean Celery Delight is a vibrant and wholesome dish that brings together the crisp freshness of celery, the tanginess of tomatoes, and the briny flavor of olives and capers. A delightful low-calorie and low-carb option, this dish is perfect for a light lunch or as a side for dinner. Each serving not only satisfies the palate with its unique combination of textures and flavors but also provides high fiber and low cholesterol benefits, making it a fantastic addition to any healthy eating plan. Embrace the Mediterranean-inspired goodness in a dish that's deliciously cheap and easy to prepare!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1 (tablespoon)
onion
1/2 (medium, diced)
celery
1 (lb (about 6 ribs), trimmed and cut into 2-inch lengths)
canned diced tomato
1 (cup)
capers
1-2 (tablespoons)
olives
8 (large, chopped)
fresh basil
2 (tablespoons, minced)
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers.
2
Add the diced onion to the skillet and stir well to coat with the oil. Cook the onion until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3
While the onion is cooking, prepare the celery by trimming the ends and cutting the ribs into thirds lengthwise, then chopping them into two-inch pieces.
4
Increase the heat to medium-high and add the prepared celery to the skillet. Stir well and allow it to cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes.
5
After 4 minutes, stir the celery and add the canned diced tomatoes (with their juice). Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer until the celery is tender, approximately 20 minutes.
6
Once the celery is tender, uncover the skillet and stir in the capers and chopped olives. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, allowing the tomato juice to reduce and concentrate in flavor.
7
Just before serving, stir in the minced fresh basil and season the dish with salt and pepper to taste.
8
Serve immediately while warm. Enjoy the delightful mix of Mediterranean flavors!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Celery Delight?
Mediterranean Celery Delight is a vibrant and wholesome dish that brings together the crisp freshness of celery, the tanginess of tomatoes, and the briny flavor of olives and capers.
Is this recipe low-calorie?
Yes, this dish is a delightful low-calorie and low-carb option perfect for healthy eating plans.
Is it a low-carb choice?
Yes, Mediterranean Celery Delight is specifically noted as being a low-carb option.
How many servings does this dish yield?
The recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
Does this dish provide dietary fiber?
Yes, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe is a high fiber dish.
Is this dish heart-healthy regarding cholesterol?
Yes, it provides low cholesterol benefits.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
The recipe includes 9 ingredients: olive oil, onion, celery, canned tomatoes, capers, olives, fresh basil, salt, and pepper.
What type of oil is recommended for this dish?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of olive oil for cooking.
What is the onion requirement?
You need 1/2 of a medium onion, diced for this recipe.
How long should I sauté the onion?
The diced onion should be cooked for 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent.
How should I cut the celery?
Trim the ends, cut the ribs into thirds lengthwise, and then into 2-inch pieces.
What is the total weight of celery used?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of celery, which is about 6 ribs.
What heat setting is used to cook the celery?
The heat should be increased to medium-high once the celery is added to the skillet.
Should the celery be stirred immediately?
After adding the celery, let it cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes before stirring.
What tomato product is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of canned diced tomatoes.
Do I need to include the tomato juice from the can?
Yes, add the canned diced tomatoes along with their juice to the skillet.
What heat setting is used for simmering?
Reduce the heat to medium-low for the simmering stage.
How long does it take for the celery to become tender?
It takes approximately 20 minutes of simmering for the celery to become tender.
Should I cover the pan while simmering?
Yes, you should cover the skillet while the celery simmers for the 20-minute duration.
When should I add the capers and olives?
Add the capers and olives after the celery is tender and you have uncovered the skillet.
What is the specified quantity of olives?
The recipe requires 8 large, chopped olives.
What is the amount of capers used?
The recipe calls for 1-2 tablespoons of capers.
How much longer do I cook the dish after adding capers and olives?
Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes after adding those ingredients.
What is the purpose of the final cooking stage?
The final cooking stage allows the tomato juice to reduce and concentrate the flavor.
Which fresh herb is used in this recipe?
Two tablespoons of minced fresh basil are stirred in just before serving.
How do I adjust the flavor at the end?
Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
At what temperature should the dish be served?
Mediterranean Celery Delight should be served immediately while warm.
Is this recipe suitable for those on a budget?
Yes, it is described as a deliciously cheap and budget-friendly recipe.
How difficult is this recipe to prepare?
The dish is very easy to prepare and is categorized as a fast and easy recipe.
When is this dish best served?
It is perfect as a light lunch or as a side dish for dinner.