Fun with Celery

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

16 Jul 2007 11:21 AM

When I first asked Valorie if I could do some guest blogging about celery, she joked that it might sully up the food blog. We laughed, but I can see that if she weren't joking, it might be a good point. She has so many sophisticated recipes, techniques and foods (did you read her articles on edible flowers? Amazing!), and celery might seem a little out of place.

But I like this little common vegetable, because it is simple. It can be used to beef up a dish, give salads a crunch or just give you some fiber. It is a great go-to veggie to have on hand during the summer

So with no more ado (and no more laughter?), here are some tips about celery.

Preserving Celery

I use this little trick all of the time, and it makes my celery last at least twice as long. Instead of pulling off a stalk of celery, just cut what you need from the top down. When the celery stays attached at the base, it doesn't wilt as quickly.

Using The Greens

Ah, what to do with all of those greens that come along with the edible stalks? Of course, you can use them to make great chicken stock or soup (see this article about freezer soup). Me, I sometimes leave the greens out for the rabbits that visit our yard, hoping to distract them from our marigolds.

Fun for Kids

"Ants on A Log" has got to be one of the classic fun things to do with celery. Just in case you haven't heard about this recipe, here are the directions. Simply wash the celery stalk and trim it. Slather the crevice of the celery with peanut butter and add raisins, lining them up along the peanut butter as if they were marching ants.

Fun Fact

Did you know that celery uses more calories to be digested by your body than it provides when you eat it? So a person could literarily starve to death on celery.

Mary Ann Romans also writes for the Frugal Living Blog here at Families.com, where she shares money saving tips for today's families. She also writes for the Computing Blog here at Families.com where she shares everything from the latest news on technology to cool downloads and fun websites.

Related Articles:

Freezer Soup Is Free

How to Boil An Egg

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Valorie Delp (49340) 16 Jul 2007 03:05 PM

Well. . .it is celery but okay. . .it can stay here! LOL It's a good blog. . .even if it's about celery.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 16 Jul 2007 05:13 PM

Phew! Hey, ever heard about that book by Betty Smith? A Celery Stalk Grows in Brooklyn?

Valorie Delp (49340) 18 Jul 2007 05:31 PM

No. . .but I would figure Brooklynites would eat celery! LOL I'll have to go check it out!