Introduction to celery: how to eat it and where to add it

Celery contains a lot of vitamins, macro- and microelements, and fiber. In its pure form it is not particularly tasty, but in combination with other products it begins to play with new colors. We invite you to find out how to make celery part of your diet.

In what form is it best to eat celery?

The product is eaten raw, stewed or added to other dishes, in particular meat, fish, cutlets, soups. Any part of the plant is edible: leaves, stems, roots.

Doctors and nutritionists believe that raw celery will provide maximum health benefits. This product is rich in the following substances:

• vitamin A and beta-carotene (83% and 90% of the daily value in 100 g);
• vitamin C (42%);
• vitamin K (24%);
• potassium (17%);
• magnesium (12.5%);
• sodium (15%);
• iron (7%).

During heat treatment, especially frying, some of the vitamins are destroyed. When cooked, minerals are transferred to the decoction. Therefore, it is better to eat fresh celery for your health.Since you can eat both the leaves and the root, you need to know how to peel celery depending on the type: tear the leaves and add to the salad, cut into small cubes or grate on a coarse grater. It is usually used as an ingredient in vegetable salad. Celery juice is no less useful.

However, for some people the raw product is contraindicated. For persons with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, ulcers), it is better to heat-treat the vegetable. Fresh product increases the secretion of gastric juice and can aggravate the problem. Celery in any form should not be eaten by pregnant women because it causes uterine contractions and can cause miscarriage or premature birth.

What to cook from celery root?

Celery root is on the list of best foods for weight loss. 100 g contains only 13–15 kcal. And since the vegetable is high in sodium, it can easily replace salt in salads and soups. If you're considering adding celery root to your diet, check out these interesting recipes.

Celery juice

The easiest way to make celery juice is to cut the root into small pieces and run it through a juicer. If you don’t have the necessary equipment, then grate the vegetable on a fine grater and squeeze out the resulting mass.

Celery juice has a rather specific, sharp taste. Before use, it is better to dilute it with water in a 1:1 ratio.

Try also making the “elixir of love.” Mix 100 ml celery, 50 ml pear and 25 ml apple juice. Dilute with water to taste. The resulting drink has aphrodisiac properties: it helps partners relax and unwind. In men, it increases potency.

Cream soup

Celery cream soup has low calorie content, but it perfectly satisfies hunger, prevents overeating and cravings for junk food.

To prepare the soup, prepare the following ingredients:

• celery root – 1 pc.;
• potatoes – 2 pcs.;
• carrots – 1 pc.;
• garlic – 2 cloves;
• full-fat milk (cream) – 200 ml;
• sunflower oil.

Peel the garlic, chop, quickly fry in oil. Reduce heat, add grated carrots. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer the vegetables for 10 minutes.

Peel the celery root and potatoes and cut into small pieces. Add to carrots and garlic. Pour some water into the pan and simmer the contents under the lid for another half hour.

Place the stewed vegetables in a blender, pour in the milk (cream) and blend for 2-3 minutes. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and bring to a boil. At the end you can add salt, seasonings and fresh herbs to taste. Celery cream soup is usually served with white croutons.

Roasted root salad

This recipe is suitable for the holiday table. The dish is tasty, but not dietary.

To prepare the salad you will need the following products:

• celery root – 200 g;
• carrots – 1 pc.;
• garlic – 1 clove;
• hard cheese (it’s better to take “Dutch”) – 50 g;
• “light” mayonnaise – 2 tbsp. spoons;
• sunflower oil.

Peel the root and grate on a coarse grater. Fry in sunflower oil for 2-3 minutes.

Grate the carrots and cheese in the same way. Pass the garlic through a crusher. Mix all ingredients in one bowl and season with mayonnaise. If this sauce bothers you, you can replace it with sour cream.

Hot and sour salad

This salad, on the contrary, is low in calories, speeds up metabolism and helps you lose weight.Pairs well with stews and whole grain toast.

Prepare the following products:

• celery root – 200 g;
• half a lemon;
• grain mustard - 2 tbsp. spoons;
• water – 1 tbsp. spoon;
• wine or apple cider vinegar - 1 tbsp. spoon;
• unrefined olive oil – 2 tbsp. spoons.

Grate the peeled root on a grater, which is used to prepare carrots in Korean. Sprinkle with the juice of half a lemon to prevent it from browning and stir. Leave the vegetable to sit at room temperature for half an hour.

Mix mustard, vinegar, olive oil in one bowl. Pour in 1 tablespoon of boiling water and beat the ingredients with a mixer. Season the salad with the resulting sauce. Add salt, ground black pepper and fresh herbs to taste.

What to cook with celery stalks?

The stems are eaten mainly as part of vegetable salads, with stewed vegetables and meat. We invite you to study several simple recipes.

Vitamin salad with celery and apples

This dish will strengthen your immunity, relieve hypovitaminosis and seasonal depression.

To prepare a vitamin salad, prepare the following products:

• celery stalks – 2 pcs.;
• one sour apple;
• half a lemon;
• crushed walnuts – 20–30 g;
• unrefined olive oil – 2 tbsp. spoons.

Cut the washed apples and celery stalks into cubes 3–4 cm long. Mix with walnuts, season with olive oil and lemon juice. Add salt, spices and fresh herbs to taste. Eat immediately (when storing the dish, vitamins begin to break down).

Salad with celery and cod liver

This salad is rich in complete proteins, vitamins A, D and E. Good for vision, nervous and muscular systems. Very filling with moderate calories.

The salad contains the following ingredients:

• celery stalks – 2 pcs.;
• canned cod liver – 300 g;
• hard-boiled chicken egg - 1 pc.;
• fresh cucumbers – 3 pcs. medium size;
• a bunch of dill or parsley.

Place the fish liver on paper napkins and let the excess fat drain off. Wash the celery stalks and cucumbers and chop finely. Chop the greens. Gently chop the cod liver and chicken egg. Mix all ingredients in one bowl. Garnish with a sprig of parsley and serve.

Beef stew with celery

The vegetable will give the beef a piquant aroma and softness. And anyone can cook such a dish.

To begin, prepare the ingredients:

• meat – 700–800 g;
• celery stalks – 3 pieces;
• onions – 2 pieces;
• sunflower oil – 5–6 tbsp. spoon;
• greens (parsley, dill or cilantro) - 1 bunch.

Heat oil in a frying pan. Cut the meat into small pieces and fry for 3-5 minutes over high heat. Chop the onion and celery and add to the beef.

Pour water into the pan so that it completely covers the pieces of meat. Turn the heat to minimum, cover the container with a lid and simmer the beef and vegetables for 50–60 minutes.

At the end of cooking, salt and pepper the dish. Serve the beef stew with fresh herbs.

Vegetable smoothie

A suitable drink for a snack or dinner replacement. Improves the functioning of the digestive system, as it contains a lot of fiber and water.

To prepare a vegetable smoothie, take the following products:

• celery stalks – 3 pcs.;
• one sweet apple;
• one carrot;
• mint.

Finely chop the vegetables and apple. Blend in a blender until smooth. If you wish, you can add a spoonful of honey or a healthy sweetener (for example, stevia) to the drink.Garnish the smoothie with a sprig of mint.

What to cook from celery leaves?

Celery leaves look similar to parsley, but the greens of this vegetable are more lush and spicy in taste. It can be added to ready-made meat dishes in fresh or dried form, and used to prepare salads, sandwiches, and marinades.

Toast with red fish and celery

This appetizer will decorate any holiday table and delight guests. To prepare it, take the following ingredients:

• celery leaves;
• lightly salted salmon or trout;
• canned pineapple pieces;
• toast bread;
• lemon.

Take pieces of red fish and pineapple in equal proportions. Add chopped celery leaves to them, stir, sprinkle with lemon juice. Spread mixture onto toast or tartlets. Top with fresh herbs.

Salad with rice and celery

Rice salad is useful for people who are losing weight to replenish the deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body.

The dish contains the following components:

• brown (brown) rice – 100 g;
• celery leaves - 3 bunches;
• garlic – 2 cloves;
• unrefined olive oil – 2 tbsp. spoons;
• lemon juice – 80 ml;
• soy sauce – 60 ml;
• salt and ground chili pepper - one pinch each.

Add rice to boiling salted water and cook for 20–25 minutes. Chop celery leaves and garlic. Add them to boiled rice. Add oil, soy sauce and lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir in rice salad.

What are the health benefits of celery?

Celery should definitely be included in the diet of those who are trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. Thanks to its rich chemical composition, the vegetable benefits almost all internal organs.

Why do people eat this product?

• Prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Celery contains two important macronutrients that are good for the heart: potassium and magnesium. The first normalizes blood pressure, rhythm, and relieves swelling. The second strengthens the heart muscle and has a calming effect.

Omega-3 fatty acids give the plant's stems and roots their oiliness. They reduce inflammation in the body and reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol, preventing atherosclerosis.

• Normalization of digestion

All parts of the plant are rich in dietary fiber. The latter serve as food for beneficial intestinal microflora, remove toxins from the body, and normalize peristalsis. The enzymes present in the product help the body digest food. With the help of celery, a person can easily get rid of constipation and dysbacteriosis.

• Treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system

Celery has a diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, in medicine it has long been used to treat cystitis, urolithiasis, and pyelonephritis.

So, celery goes well with almost any food. It enhances their natural taste, adds piquant notes, and increases nutritional value. Ideal for people who want to lose weight without resorting to strict diets. Eat a spicy vegetable every week to maintain health and youth for a long time.