Creamed Celery

Celery, often overlooked as a star ingredient, can take center stage in this delectable recipe for Creamed Celery on Toast. This dish elevates the humble celery to new heights by combining it with a velvety sauce, resulting in a comforting and flavorful meal. Creamed Celery on Toast is not only easy to prepare but also a delightful way to enjoy the crisp and earthy flavors of celery. In this guide, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step process for creating this dish, along with some helpful tips to ensure a perfect result.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 or 4 heads of celery
• Water (for blanching)
• 2 cups water (for cooking)
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 carrot
• 1/2 onion with 2 cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 scant saltspoon of pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon flour
• Toast (for serving)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Prepare the Celery:

1. Trim and Wash the Celery: Begin by scraping and trimming 3 or 4 heads of celery, leaving the roots on but cutting the tops off. Cut each celery stalk in half lengthwise, and then into pieces that are approximately five inches long. Wash the celery pieces thoroughly in running water to remove any dirt or impurities.
2. Blanch the Celery: Place the cleaned celery in a pot of boiling water and blanch it for ten minutes. After blanching, drain the celery thoroughly.

Cook the Celery and Prepare the Sauce:

1. Simmer the Celery: Tie the blanched celery stalks together in bunches, similar to asparagus. In a saucepan, combine 2 cups of water, 2 cups of milk, 1/2 carrot, 1/2 onion with 2 cloves, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 scant saltspoon of pepper. Add the celery bunches to the liquid and let them simmer for three quarters of an hour or until they are quite tender when tested with a fork.
2. Prepare the Sauce: Remove the celery bunches from the saucepan and set them aside. Strain the stock from the saucepan and use 1 cup of it to make a sauce. In a separate saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add 1 tablespoon of flour to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the 1 cup of stock to make a smooth sauce. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens.

Assemble Creamed Celery on Toast:

1. Untie the Celery Bunches: Carefully untie the bunches of celery.
2. Arrange on Toast: Arrange the blanched and untied celery evenly on pieces of toast.
3. Pour the Sauce: Pour the creamy sauce over the celery on toast to coat them generously.

SERVING SUGGESTION:

Creamed Celery on Toast is a delightful and comforting dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. The combination of tender celery and creamy sauce atop crispy toast makes for a satisfying and flavorful meal.

Creamed Celery on Toast showcases how simple ingredients can be transformed into a dish that celebrates the earthy flavors of celery. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner or a special occasion, this recipe offers a comforting and hearty option that will leave you craving more. Enjoy the culinary journey as you savor this delightful dish!