Broccoli Salad...Hello New Friend!

At every potluck, tailgate, or barbecue I've been to there's always been a broccoli salad to enjoy. And enjoy I always do.  It's a side I know will always hit the spot. The perfect combination of sweet and savory and a subtle crunch to balance it all out.   Delicious.
Now enjoy is the key word in the above statement. For up until a few months ago that's as far as my relationship went with this salad.  Why, I'm not quite sure. 

In March our good friend, Brooke, stayed with us for a few days and made this salad. I devoured it. She swore it was easy, but I have to say I didn't really believe her. She passed along her mother's recipe to me, and really there's been no looking back. This salad is now a staple in our fridge. I make a batch and enjoy it all week long. It's the perfect side to a lunch sandwich or for dinner, and Lola loves it as well. 

Brooke didn't lie. This salad is a cinch. I will warn you, though. Once you try it, there's no turning back. 

Ingredients: (my variations in parentheses):

1 head broccoli chopped (I usually use a little more)

1 cup of sunflower seeds

1 cup of raisins

1 cup of diced red onion

1 cup of chopped walnuts

1 cup of bacon (I don't always add this in)

1 cup light mayo (I usually use about 1/2 cup and it works great)

1/4 cup sugar (I usually use about 1/8 cup)

2 T red wine vingar

Variations: I have made this salad with or without bacon.  My husband prefers the bacon.  I am quite happy either way.  I have also added almonds instead of walnuts as well as in a combination with the walnuts.  I have also substituted craisins for some of the raisins.   

Instructions: 

Combine ingredients and serve!

Chop up the broccoli into bite size pieces.  Once I cut up the head I rinse it and it's good to go

Chop up and measure out all of the rest of the dry ingredients

Mix in the onion. I've found that a cup is about half of a good sized onion like the one above

Mix it all together

Add in the dressing.  Don't be afraid to mix with your hands.  It helps get you some good coverage

That's it.  I cannot stress enough how easy this salad is.  I feel silly for never making it earlier. I think it was the broccoli, I think I was intimidated that it would take some extra prepping to get it to taste this good.  Foolishness....

I've stored this salad in my fridge for up to 4 or 5 days (though it rarely lasts that long!)  It doesn't get soggy and still tastes great.  This is definitely a keeper in my book. Thank you Brooke's mom!

Enjoy!

xo.
Dalton