Stay Stalked

Leave your bulky juicer tucked away in the cupboard—for now, at least. Celery-based green drinks can be great, but there’s room for much more fun. Even better: Bright and crunchy breakfasts, childhood snacks-turned-grown-up-salads, and braised side dishes or entrées for when you’re tired of roasted vegetables. If you’ve got a bunch of celery in the fridge, you’ve got an incredible meal in your future.

When you treat celery well, the favor is always returned. Yes, there’s a time and place for those raw, chunky stalks—alongside wings and blue cheese dip, plain celery goes unmatched. When thinly sliced on a bias and paired with fruit, cheese, and a nutty dressing, though, it takes on a cheery new personality. Braised in white wine and chicken stock (until just barely crunchy) and served on a bed of beans, celery will melt your heart. Diced, blanched, lightly marinated, and topped on toasts with tomato jam and hollandaise? An undeniably exquisite start to the day, very much worth celebrating.

An added bonus: There’s not one part of celery that can’t be used. Save the leaves for garnishing soups or anything you’d otherwise use parsley for, and store any scraps in the freezer for the next time you make a broth or pasta sauce. In my experience, it’s been true that dogs love celery, too, so be sure to toss your sweet sidekick a bite or two while you make something special for yourself—here, you’ll find three different ways to do exactly that.

Ants on a Log-Inspired Salad

Growing up, Cheez Whiz slathered on celery was not just a go-to snack, but a delicacy in our home. Peanut butter and raisins were less common toppings, but there’s a reason the combination is beloved and makes sense: Nutty, creamy, crunchy, fresh, salty, and slightly sweet, it’s hard to find anything wrong with Ants on a Log. This salad incorporates those same elements in a more adult form, on a plate that feels part charcuterie board, part childhood favorite.