Hello! Welcome once again to Paulina Cocina, this space where everything is rich and colorful, and where we escape from the bad news for a bit. This time, we bring you a delicious recipe to enjoy this Christmas: Christmas Apple Salad .
This salad is usually eaten in Mexico for Christmas Eve dinner, but the truth is that it's so delicious and easy to make, we can make it anytime. This dish is versatile and can be used as a side dish , but it's also perfect as a dessert , as most of its ingredients are sweet.
We've left you all the information about this Mexican delicacy, along with details of the ingredients you can use and any you might want to add, as its versatility allows it to be adapted to suit your personal tastes. As always, at the end, you'll find a simple recipe to make at home and enjoy with your family.
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The Best Apple Salad Recipe: A Pleasure in Every Bite
Apple salad is a classic dish that combines the freshness of this fruit with a mix of sweet and creamy ingredients . In Mexico, this recipe has become a very popular Christmas tradition, where it is prepared with a unique and special touch.
This salad is an exquisite combination of flavors and textures that make this dish an irresistible treat. The freshness and crunch of the apple blends with the creaminess of the condensed milk and cream , while the walnuts and raisins add a crunchy touch. The finishing touch is the pineapple in syrup , which adds a tropical flavor to this holiday salad.
Apple Salad: A Christmas Tradition in Mexico
The tradition of eating apple salad in Mexico during the Christmas holidays dates back several decades. This custom has endured over time and has become an iconic dish of the season.
Apple salad is served as a side dish at Christmas Eve dinner and is a must-have dish at Christmas celebrations, as it symbolizes abundance and prosperity for the coming year.
Although it's more of a dessert than a starter, it's a good accompaniment to savory dishes like stuffed turkey or meat dishes that are traditionally eaten around this time of year.
The tradition of eating apple salad in Mexico during Christmas has its roots in the colonial era, when the Spanish introduced the apple to the country. Over the years, this fruit has been integrated into Mexican cuisine, adapting to the region's unique recipes and flavors.
What kind of salads are made with apple?
Apple salad is a dish that adapts to different tastes and preferences. In its Mexican Christmas version, apple is used as the main ingredient , combined with other elements that enhance its flavor and texture. This salad is a balanced mix of sweet and creamy ingredients that result in a perfect combination of flavors.
The versatility and freshness of the apple allows it to be used in a wide variety of salads, such as the classic Waldorf salad , with celery and walnuts , to the most elaborate ones, where it is combined with other ingredients such as chicken , cheese, grapes and special dressings.
Ingredients for Mexican Apple Salad: Traditional and Alternative
Traditional ingredients for Mexican apple salad include red and green apples , cream, walnuts, raisins , pineapple in syrup, and condensed milk . However, it's also possible to add personal and creative touches to this classic recipe.
Some variations include adding blueberries for a tangy touch; or celery to add texture and neutralize the sweet taste; and even other fruits like peaches or strawberries for a different and surprising twist.
4 Tips for preparing Mexican apple salad
- Choose fresh, crisp apples: Apples are the base of this salad, so it's important to select those that are ripe, firm, and juicy .
- Cut the apples into uniform pieces: For an attractive presentation and ease of consumption, it is advisable to cut the apples into pieces of similar size.
- Soaking apples in lemon juice : To prevent apples from browning and maintain their natural color, sprinkle them with lemon juice before mixing them with the other ingredients.
- Add the ingredients little by little: When adding the cream, condensed milk, walnuts, raisins, and pineapple in syrup, do so gradually, mixing gently to obtain a homogeneous mixture.
Mexican Christmas Apple Salad Recipe
Yields : 6 to 8 servings
Preparation time : 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 red apples
- 3 green apples
- 1 cup of cream
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts (with your hands)
- 1/2 cup of grape raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped pineapple in syrup
- 1/2 cup condensed milk
How to make Mexican apple salad in 4 steps
- Wash and sanitize the apples. Peel and cut them into even pieces and place them in a large container.
- Add the cream and condensed milk to the apples. Mix gently until all the apple pieces are evenly coated.
- Add the walnuts, raisins, and pineapple in syrup (with a little of the syrup) to the mixture. Stir gently to distribute the ingredients.
- Refrigerate the apple salad for at least 1 hour before serving. This will allow the flavors to blend and the salad to acquire the right texture. Enjoy it as a side dish with traditional Christmas dishes, or as a dessert.
