I finally figured it out! This year, I had my best crop of broccoli ever. And, of course, all ten heads were ready at the same time! So, what do you do when life gives you broccoli? You make broccoli salad, of course! And I must say, this is the best broccoli salad ever!
Can you believe I've already made it twice this season? My family decided they had eaten enough, so the rest of the broccoli is patiently waiting in the freezer while I come up with more yummy recipes! (I'll share how to freeze broccoli soon.)
Summer Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cashews
Salad:
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 10 strips bacon (cooked crisp and crumbled)
- ¾ cup medium cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup red onion (chopped)
- ½-3/4 cup cashews
- ¼ cup raisins
Dressing:
- 1 cup light mayonnaise (You can use regular, but it tastes great with light)
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 4 T red wine vinegar
Directions:
- Prepare the salad ingredients and combine them in a large bowl. If you don't have quite enough broccoli, you can stretch it by using the stems. Here's the secret to making them taste just as yummy as the florets: Cut the pieces you want to use, then peel off and discard the tough outer skin. Go on. Taste it. Yummy, right? I hate to waste good food, so I usually use the stems regardless of whether or not I need to stretch the salad.
- Mix the dressing ingredients well (I like to use a salad dressing shaker), and pour it over the salad. Mix well and chill. There is more than enough dressing. (Depending on your taste, you may use less. I use a little less, or I add more broccoli and use all of it.)
So, here are a few tricks and substitutions:
- Do not reuse half of a red onion that you have been storing in the fridge! It will be too strong and overpower the entire salad. Yep. Been there, done that!
- If you don't love cashews, try sunflower seeds instead. Or, leave out the nuts entirely (but you'll be missing out).
- You can substitute turkey bacon. I'm a big fan of turkey bacon, but I admit that in this salad, real bacon is better.
- If you are trying to cut calories, use light mayo, turkey bacon, and less cheese. Use about ¾ of the dressing. (That's how much I use anyway.)
Last, but not least . . . enjoy! I hope you love it!
Ready for some more yummy recipes? (Images are linked.)
Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you'll be back soon.
Shirley Wood
Your broccoli salad sounds really good! Pinned to my Summer Salads board. It always happens that certain foods are ready all at one time in the garden unless of course we want them to be :-)
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Thanks, Shirley. I guess you're right. Good thing I can still enjoy frozen broccoli as well as fresh!
Sarah Nenni Daher
This is definitely going into my recipe box (and I just Pinned this, too). My hubby (and daughter) will get behind more broccoli if it has bacon in it. Thanks for sharing (I found you from DIY Dreamer's link party today).
Heidi
Thanks so much, Sarah. I hope your family likes it. Yep. Bacon makes everything better!
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I do a very similar broccoli salad, I have never tried it with cashews though! Yum! Thanks for sharing, pinning!
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, Laurie. The cashews make it extra yummy. You should try it. Sunflower seeds are good in it, too.
Jess @ Chaos & Love
You already know that I'm drooling over this recipe!!
We'd love to have you link up over at The Caffeinated Crafters weekly link party! http://www.chaosandlove.com/caffeinated-crafters-link-party-1/
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, Jess. All linked up! (I could've sword I replied to this message already. Sorry if you get it twice.)
Chrystal @ YUM eating
You dont know how happy I am to see a good recipe that does not require cooked broccoli! My husband hates it cooked and I have such a hard time finding raw recipes that sound good. We love bacon so I have a good feeling about this!
Heidi Fowler
I hope you and your hubby like it, Chrystal! My kids prefer it cooked, but my hubby and I love this salad.
Linda Warren
This salad sounds perfect for summer. I love the lighter dressing too. And I know what you mean when everything ripens at once, when we get a bunch of bananas they all turn yellow at the same time, around 100 at a time. Luckily I can freeze them too. Thanks for sharing on Create it Thursday.
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, Linda. How fun that you can grow bananas! 100 ripe bananas would definitely be a little hard to work with. You can only eat so much banana bread! Frozen bananas are yummy for smoothies, though. I bet you know all the great recipes!
Christina @Juggling Real Food and Real Life
Hi Heidi! I'm stopping over from Let's Get Real today. I was really excited to see this recipe. Broccoli Salad is one of my favorite picnic foods, but I've never had a recipe for it. I think everything tastes better with cashews, so I'm really excited to try your recipe.
Heidi
I hope you love it Christina! I was excited to finally have a recipe again to link up! I haven't posted one in a while.
Kathleen @ Fearlessly Creative Mammas
This looks amazing and it is going on my menu this week! I got some broccoli at the Farmer's Market on Saturday that will be perfect for this. YUM!
Heidi
Enjoy, Kathleen! I hope you love it!
Christina @ It's a Keeper
I love everything about this salad! It is definitely going on my meal plan for this week!
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, Christina! I hope you love it!
Jaime @ Mom's Test Kitchen
This looks absolutely delicious Heidi! Really wishing I had a big bowl of it to have today for lunch!! :)
Heidi Fowler
Me, too, Jamie! I pulled the broccoli plants out of my garden a couple of weeks ago, so now I'll have to actually buy the broccoli.
Clare @ Super Mommy Club
This looks like the perfect summer salad, makes a change from the usual leaves and carrots! It looks great too, I like salads to be nice and colourful.
Heidi Fowler
I like leaves and carrots, too, but you're right. This is a nice change! Thanks for stopping to comment, Clare!
Heather
I have been working on a broccoli salad recipe - yours looks so pretty!
Heidi Fowler
I'd love to try yours when you figure it out, Heather. This one is definitely yummy!
Candi Elm
I love broccoli salad and I have never made it.
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You should definitely give it a try, Candi!
Sally
Looks yummy.....saw the link on ABFOL x
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Thanks so much, Sally! And thanks for taking the time to comment!
AllenG
Wow, a 3rd of a cup of sugar? How about just skipping the sugar or using a teaspoon instead-- or a just a touch of honey? Not everything has to be sweet. You mention using light mayo or turkey bacon, etc. Sugar is the problem!
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That's the best thing about making the salad yourself instead of buying it, Allen. You control the sugar. You can use as much or as little as you like. (I don't think a teaspoon would be quite sweet enough, but experiment away!)
Lori Hart
Wow does this look amazing! I just love broccoli! I found you over at Do Tell Tuesday. I host Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday and would love it if you linked up this recipe. I’m sure our party goers would love it as much as I do. Here is the link http://bit.ly/1l4cu0j. Have a wonderful day!!
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Thanks, Lori! And thanks for the invite to your party. I'm all linked up.
Megan
My broccoli loving kids will love this, thanks!
Heidi
I hope they do, Megan!
Alison @SassyMomChicago
Thanks for linking up with the #RealFoodRecipes Round Up! I love broccoli and can't wait to try your recipe. Will be featuring in my weekly meal plan this week.
Heidi
Thanks so much Alison! Popping over to your site now.
Alison @SassyMomChicago
Oh and if you are Paleo you can use Paleo Mayo and Coconut Sugar instead of granulated sugar too!
Heidi
Thanks for the tips. I'm sure I have some Paleo readers who will appreciate the ideas. (I know nothing about Paleo.)
Tara @ Anything & Everything
This looks so good. Love broccoli and cashews! Can't wait to try it.
Heidi Fowler
Thanks, Tara. I hope you love it!
Karolyn
I love broccoli salad and can't wait to try this recipe this weekend! I am assuming the cashews you use are salted? Just wanted to make sure before I got all the ingredients!
Heidi
Yes, they are salted, but I bet either kind would work. I hope you and your family love the recipe, Karolyn.
Shelbie
Do you think I could use regular white vinegar in place of the red wine vinegar? Trying to avoid another trip to the store!
Heidi
I haven't tried it with plain vinegar. I'm sure it would change the flavor, but it will probably still be good. I hope you like it!