Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Broccoli Salad

I sort of feel like the bacon - which is totally optional - and the mayonnaise - which is totally mandatory - negate any health-giving properties this salad may possibly have. But it's handy because most kids - and big sucky adults - will eat it, and then later on you can say "but you ate the broccoli SALAD" when you want them to eat just plain ol' broccoli. Also, it is good.

You will need:
1 bunch broccoli, just the florets, chopped up attractively.

And some of the following things:
- 1 cup raisins or craisins - this is totally optional, especially if you have kids who are going to shriek "EWWWW! SHE PUT RAISINS IN THE SAAAALAD!". Not to name any names, GIRL.
- 1 cup sunflower seeds. Again, optional. The raisins are there for sweet and the sunflower seeds are there for crunch, but neither of these are going to make or break the salad.
- some crispy, crumbled bacon strips. My recipe calls for ten. TEN! We generally use about two. You don't need to use any.
- cubed (or grated) cheddar cheese. I'm going to guess and say 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup, but however much looks good for you. Again, skip it if you wanna.
- 1/4 cup diced red onion. Totally skippable.

Here's the dressing, once you have your salad bowl brimming over or not:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar. So healthy!
Mix the salad dressing together in a bowl, then toss all the ingredients together. You're going to want the salad to sit in the fridge for at LEAST two hours before you eat it.
Serves six, more or less.

8 comments:

Betsy Mae said...

I make this salad for company or to take to other homes, more times than I can count all summer long...and everyone who eats it asks for the recipe. It is yummy and pretty darn unhealthy! I skip the raisins, add extra bacon and sometimes I do cauliflower and broccoli depending on the price of broccoli.......it's an expensive salad to prepare for a crowd.

Melanie D. said...

This is one of my favorite salads! I also have a recipe where you add cooked (and cooled) cheese tortellini. It's also a favorite!

Mom24 said...

I'll have to try this one. My 16 year old loves broccoli slaw. Yes, it's broccoli, but by the time I saute the ramen noodles in butter, add almonds and sunflower seeds, I think we've managed to ruin a nutritious food. Anyway, at least she can see herself as liking vegetables.

Jenifer said...

Oh I love this salad!

Kyla said...

My parents used to do something similarly healthy with peas, cheese, and mayo. Yum. Peas and cheese salad.

Nowheymama said...

I love this salad, esp. when my mom uses raspberry vinegar in the dressing. Mmmm....

Cyndi said...

I have made a salad similar to this from the Kraft foods magazine. Ten strips of bacon, though! You should call that bacon salad. Two strips sounds much more reasonable

Christine said...

this is one of may favorite salads ever!