Apple, Celery, and Currant Salad with Ranch Dressing

Makes 6 to 8 servings

• 1/2 cup dried currants
• 1 large head of celery
• 2 Golden Delicious apples
• 5 or 6 pale green celery leaves
• lemon juice 
• salt
• freshly ground pepper
• poppy seeds

Your favorite Ranch Dressing

If the currants are hard, cover them with warm water and set them aside to soften while you cut the celery and apples. When they're soft, after 10 minutes or so, drain them and squeeze out the water.

Separate the stalks of celery and peel the tougher outer stalks. Slice the celery into thin pieces, straight across or at an angle. Cut the apples into quarters or sixths if they're large and thinly slice them crosswise. Finely chop the celery leaves.

Combine the celery, apples, currants, and celery leaves in a bowl. Add the lemon juice to taste, salt lightly, season with pepper, and toss again. Sprinkle poppy seeds on top.

Serve with Ranch Dressing