salade de crudites

What is this ?
Before giving an answer, I will tell you a story. As a true Californian, significant has always been a fan of salads, more than a fan, a craver.When we met in Paris, even though he was enjoying the tastings of many new dishes,, he would still want a salad , even when we would go out to a cafe for a lovely afternoon date .As students, we would eat at the government sponsored student cafeterias, and even though it was fairly decent fare ( for a dollar a meal ) , fresh salads were lacking.As I was drinking my tea with lemon, he would order a salade de crudites.

So, if you happen to go to France, and find yourself in need of a salad, you will invariably see on any cafe or restaurant menu:the aforementioned " salade de crudites"( salad of raw ingredients).Usually the French, like their salads fairly plain and simple, so having a medley on a plate is a way to taste different vegetables, but in keeping with their own personality and dressings.

Since we are still in winter ( at least in terms of produce), i served this plate for lunch as a first course.
grated carrots in a simple vinaigrette, sliced radishes for color and crunch,baby white beets with salt and....celery remoulade !


Just back from the Farmer's market, where the bulbous root of the celery looked so fresh, I decided to prepare the famous French salad, always for sale at any charcuterie.


1 head of celery root, grated ( I use the grating disk,medium of my cuisinart),salt, white pepper,1 tablespoon of Dijon musrtard.1 teaspoon of mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon of cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of good olive oil.