Broccoli Salad

The first time I was introduced to this salad I thought it was a strange combination of ingredients. I passed it up at the party but a friend of mine asked if I had tried the salad saying it was one of the best things on the buffet table.

My second trip to the buffet I decided to give it a try. My girlfriend was right, this salad is delishious! It took only one taste and I wolfed down the rest. The combination of flavors was amazing! Salty, sweet, bacon-ie and tangy. YUM!

This salad lends itself beautifully to a potluck. It won’t wilt once you add the dressing and the flavors just get better when the salad sits in the fridge for a while.

The next time you are asked to bring a salad to a potluck, consider bringing this one. It’s an unusual combination but somehow works. You won’t be bringing home any leftovers!

Start by cutting 1/2 a pound of bacon into 1/2 inch pieces.

Fry bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towel.

I fried the bacon on the stovetop in a large frying pan. If you want to try cooking it in the microwave or if you are interested in learning how to cook bacon in the oven, check out a post I wrote about the advantages and disadvantages for each method of cooking bacon here. It’s part of my cooking 101 series. Everyone should know how to cook bacon!

Chop a red onion into a rough dice.

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Cut up two heads of broccoli into bite size pieces, discarding the hard stalks.

If not serving within couple of hours portion out nuts and bacon in small ziplock bags.

To make the dressing, mix together mayo, sugar and vinegar. I find using a glass jar with a lid and vigorously shaking all the dressing ingredients together makes quick work of combining the dressing for this salad.

Refrigerate until a couple hours before serving. Combine all the ingredients with the dressing and toss to combine.

Chill and serve within about 2 hours.

Broccoli Salad

For the salad:

• 1/2 pound bacon
• 2 heads broccoli, cut into bite size pieces
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1 cup shelled, salted, sunflower seeds or coarsely chopped cashews
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 diced apple, optional

For the dressing:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons vinegar

Place bacon in a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly browned. Cool, crumble, and set aside.

In a large bowl, toss together broccoli, onion, sunflower seeds, raisins, and bacon.

In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar. Toss with vegetables to coat.

Cover, and chill until serving.

This salad is delicious served wit a fresh loaf of bread! Yes, you can easily bake bread. Read all about how easy it is to bake your own bread here.

Let me know if you give this salad recipe a try and if you enjoy it. Come on, you gotta try a salad recipe that touts being healthy and comes loaded with bacon, LOL!