Braised Celery With Apple Food

BRAISED CELERY WITH LENTILS AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat ¼ cup oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high. Add celery and toss to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until celery is very lightly browned, about 5 minutes, then add garlic and toss to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is deep golden brown and celery is tender and golden brown, 5-7 minutes. Mix in 1 tsp. kosher salt, then add wine and herbs (if using) and stir to combine. Cook until wine is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil; stir in lentils. Cook until lentils are warmed through and flavors have come together, about 5 minutes. Taste and season with more kosher salt if needed. Fish out herb sprigs if using and discard.
• Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Crack eggs into skillet and cover with a lid (or a baking sheet if you don't have one), reduce heat to low, and cook just until egg whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes.
• Divide braised celery mixture among bowls. Top each with an egg and some celery leaves; sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Serve with crusty bread, if desired.

BRAISED LEEKS & APPLES

Steps:

• Arrange the leeks and apple wedges in a single layer in a wide, shallow casserole dish with a lid. Poke the sprigs of thyme in among the leeks and pour over the stock. Season and dot the butter on top.
• Place over a medium heat, bring to the boil, then put the lid on and gently simmer for 15 mins or until the apples and leeks are tender.

SIMPLE BRAISED CELERY (LOW CALORIE)

Steps:

• Heat the soup stock on medium high in a skillet large enough to hold the celery in a single layer.
• Add the celery to the skillet and stir to wet.
• Sprinkle the flour and salt and pepper overtop and stir a bit til the flour is no longer visible.
• Reduce to a slow simmer, cover and let cook til the celery reaches the 'crunch' you like (it will get soft if that's what you want but will take longer to cook), stirring occasionally.

BRAISED CELERY WITH APPLE

Steps:

• In a covered skillet over medium heat, saute onions and garlic in melted butter until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add remaining ingredients and heat almost to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until celery is soft. Stir occasionally.
• Uncover and heat to a fast boil. Stirring frequently, cook until remaining liquid is reduced to a thick syrup, about 5-10 minutes. Serve immediately.