Let’s talk seasonal veggies. It’s still cold out so who would be thinking about a salad? My family. This is their hands down favorite. Never mind the cold of February, this broccoli salad reminds you that warmer weather is just around the corner.
Wait. You don’t like broccoli? Say it isn’t so!
Broccoli is lower in pesticides than many other dark green vegetables (like: kale, spinach and romaine lettuce)~ EWG
Originating in Italy more than 2000 years ago, Brassica Oleracea or as we know and love it: Broccoli, is a well known and often eaten vegetable. Our family loves broccoli any time of the year but this cool weather crop is a welcome addition to any winter meal in our home.
It’s even part of EWG’s Clean 15!
If you’re not aware of the Environmental Working Group, they are worth a look – see. They test many things, including food products, and have determined that 70% of broccoli samples they examined had no pesticide residue. In a world chalk full of pesticides and GMO’s that’s not a bad percentage but we are aiming to grow our own soon and KNOW there are zero pesticides on our crop.
Still not sold? How about this love letter I wrote to broccoli?
Still no? Well, you’ll have to forgive me for still loving my friend broccoli. Talk about a multi-tasker. It can be roasted, steamed, made into soup, frittered and in the case of this recipe: Salad-ized! Ya, I made that up, with broccoli’s blessing.
I’d like to share this in season winter vegetable by offering you our families favorite salad… of all time. Remember, I wrote broccoli a love letter. I mean it. Winter brings hardy foods and there are times we miss a good salad. This year will bring a new garden (our first real one) and broccoli is certainly part of our planting scenario. Whether you can grow your own or buy in the store, this recipe is certainly versatile and simple to make your own.
A delightfully crunchy and slightly sweet salad, good any time of year!
- 6 cups broccoli Separate florets
- 4 or more slices bacon Cooked & crumbled. Set some aside.
- 4 each *green onions Chopped *OR*
- 1/4 cup *red or white onion Chopped
- 1 cup cheddar cheese Cubed. but you can grate or add more or less!
- 1/2 cup raisins or fresh grapes If using grapes = halved
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds Or favorite nut
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup cane sugar
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
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Add first 6 ingredients (remember onions are there twice) to a large bowl. Be sure you have enough room in the bowl to fully incorporate the salad dressing. Be sure you reserve some bacon to sprinkle on at the time of serving.
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Whisk all the salad dressing ingredients in a separate bowl and once the sugar has completely dissolved, add to the large bowl with broccoli ingredients.
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Mix well to incorporate the dressing. Be sure to place in refrigerator to chill.
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Add reserved bacon right before serving.
Play with different flavors and make the recipe your own!
For more ways to switch up this recipe and make it your own… watch this video where I tell you about other tasty items that go great in this salad:
What’s your favorite way to serve broccoli?
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