Celery is a plant that is used as a vegetable in culinary world. Celery is mainly famous for its stalk, leaves and fleshy part of taproot. In many temperate zones, the seeds are quite famous for celery recipes. Like other plants, this plant also has green stalk and leaves. Some wild cultivars of celery has acidic stalk that is not edible but the leaves, typically have sweetish and aromatic flavor that are widely used as a garnish. Some of the most popular celery recipes are apple and celery salad, cream celery soup and lamb chops with celery.
French word ‘celeri’ is the original world from which term ‘celery’ is derived. The history of celery is quite interesting as it is believed that the celery leaves were first found in the garlands worn by Tutankhamun who was the pharaoh. The mericarps of celery were also found in 7th century BC, but one more archeological evidences show that it was first noticed in 9th century BC.
Celery recipes are famous for their aromatic flavor. Celery leaves are typically used as a salad ingredient. Its seeds are used as a seasoning or dry spice in many celery dishes. Even a spice called ‘celery salt is also prepared by mixing salt and grounded celery seeds. This spice is widely used as a flavoring in savory dishes as well as in cocktails, namely ‘Bloody Mary’. Along with onion and carrot; celery makes some of the most flavorful celery recipes. Celery stalk and leaves are also considered a base ingredient in many soups and stew dishes. An additional use of celery is to extract ‘volatile oil’ from its seeds.
• Mirepoix – It is one of the most popular celery recipes that is made in the combination of onion, celery and carrot. All these ingredients are chopped finely and sautéed in butter to make a base for soup and stews.
• Chicken noodle soup – Celery is a flavoring agent in this healthful dish made up of chicken stock.
• Apple and celery salad – Chopped celery leaves go very well with apple, hence a pleasant flavor imparts from this dish. Preferred Methods of Making Celery Dishes
• Chopped – Celery leaves are typically chopped while adding in the celery recipes.
• Boiled – Celery stalk and leaves are also often boiled to make soups and stews.
• Grounded – Grounded celery seeds are frequently used as a spice in culinary world. Cuisines Commonly Making Celery Recipes French ‘mirepoix’ is the evident use of celery in French cuisine.
Also, celery is derived from a French word. Soups, stews and other savory dishes in French cuisine make good use of aromatic celery leaves and stalk. A special mention is obligatory to make here regarding Cajun cuisine that is famous for the ‘holy trinity’ including celery, bell pepper and onion. ‘Pascal celery’ is widely famous in North American cuisine. Savory celery dishes as well as drinks are highly flavored with celery in North American cuisine. ‘Celery salt’ is also used in seasonings and dry spices. In Asian cuisine, celery is used in soups and stews. Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisines make moderate use of this leafy plant in their recipes.
Following are the nutritive values of celery:
• Celery is supposed to be helpful in reducing cholesterol and blood pressure.
• It also aids in lowering the pains occurred in joints.
• Being low in calories, celery recipes are highly admired among weight watchers.
• Potassium is also present in abundance in celery dishes.
Medicinal uses are also very high for celery. Celery is considered an aphrodisiac; hence it is used in certain medicines that are used for increasing metabolic rate of testosterone. Celery seeds are thought to be the effective ‘blood purifier’ and used in pills for arthritis. Function of kidney may also be improved with the regular consumption of celery.
Crisp, fresh looking and bright colored leaves are the signs of freshness of celery. It can easily be found in the vegetable section of any supermarket. While storing, keep the celery in a plastic bag and store in refrigerator, but not more than one week as celery leaves tend to loose freshness and flavor very soon. Celery dishes can also be stored in refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
• Pascal celery – It is pale green in color and the most commonly used variety in making celery recipes.
• Golden celery – It is grown without sunlight in order to prevent the formation of chlorophyll in the leaves.
• Celery root – Also known as ‘Celeriac’ it is typically similar to the common celery, but its stem is generally used instead of the stalk.
• Though celery is a low-calorie ingredient, it takes more energy to digest.
• Celery is highly consumed in US, approximately 9-10 pounds per person.