Is there a subsitute for celery?

[blueangel]

That's my question... I have a recipe for oysters that says to put in a bit of finely chopped celery but I don't have any! Does celery salt subsitute? I get through hardly any celery which is why I don't buy it but something recipes ask for a TINY amount of celery!!

Thanks:hahugh:

[narleymarley03]

The celery salt should work fine for the celery flavor. I would go lighter on any other salt called for in the recipe.

[WitchJezebel]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that the celery is mostly a texture thing, just to add a bit of crunch; celery salt is okay, but go easy they can have too much saltiness in them. If you've got some fresh parsley around you can actually chop some of the stems very finely and add that instead. Let us know how it turns out.

[Dawa Lhamo]

I agree. I think it's mostly texture. For texture, I'd suggest maybe chopped water chestnuts or bamboo shoots, (both come canned) or if there are onions in your recipe, don't cook them as tender, let them remain a bit crunchy.

If you're worried about the flavor, celery salt is probably fine, you could also get celery seeds. They should be available by most spice-makers like Durkee. I'm almost certain I've seen them at Schnucks (chain grocery store).

This site has some interesting info on substitutes for stalk vegetables: http://www.foodsubs.com/Stalk.html

Good luck!

Tashi delek!
Dawa Lhamo

[Serendipity]

I'm going to be the odd ball here, but I hate celery salt. It's SO salty. If you use it, be gentle and taste test!

[skilly-nilly]

It probably wouldn't help you at the moment, but Lovage (an herb) has quite a similar taste to celery. I grow it, so I don't know where you could buy some, but maybe a health food store would carry it in the spice section.

If you found some then you could add celery taste to anything---it adds a lot to soup broth too.

[Amber Wynd]

If you want celery taste in your food, you can always keep celery seed on hand. It doesn't spoil and it gives you the yummy flavor of celery. It comes in jars and is sold in the spice section of the grocery store.

[Yasmine Galenorn]

That's my question... I have a recipe for oysters that says to put in a bit of finely chopped celery but I don't have any! Does celery salt subsitute? I get through hardly any celery which is why I don't buy it but something recipes ask for a TINY amount of celery!!

Thanks:hahugh:

You could also use some diced bok choy stalks. I'll venture that seeded and diced cucumber would work just as well too, or even diced zucchini. Keep celery seed (not salt) around for the taste. You can also buy a bunch of celery, blanch it for one minute, then cut into bite sized pieces and freeze in small freezer bags for use in soups and so forth--just grab a handful when you need it. I do that with a number of veggies.

Yasmine :colorful:

[blueangel]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will look up the various herbs and spices you suggested. As for my dinner, I used celery salt.

I minced up some breadcrumbs, garlic, celery salt, olive oil, parsley, italian dried herb mix and pepper. I put this on top of some opened oysters which i got on sale (only 24p each! that's less than 50 cents).

Then I grilled them until browned. When I took them out I added some lemon juice. If I do say so myself, they were delicious! I took the recipe from the Elizabeth David book which was written in the 1950s about Italian cooking. She's a legend!

[Serendipity]

I'm glad they turned out well =)

[WitchJezebel]

You could also use some diced bok choy stalks.

Yasmine :colorful:

I didn't even think of that one, that's a great idea. thanx!