I'm not ashamed to admit that I had an out of body gastronomic experience at Whole Foods last week. I was out running errands and about to do my grocery shopping on an empty stomach (never a good idea!). So I popped into Whole Foods and had myself a $10 salad bar fiesta. I love to try a little bit of everything, especially their asian dishes (because I don't have all the funky ingredients needed to make something like that) and their nutty dishes (because we have a no-nuts policy at our house on account of our favorite tree-nut-allergic 4 year old).
Who knew that I would nearly fall over from happiness over BROCCOLI? I mean, I enjoy cooked broccoli like most people, but trying to gag down the raw stuff is a challenge, even though it's soooo good for you.
Whole Foods' Broccoli Crunch Salad was like a broccoli evangelist, and praise the vegetable gods, I have been converted!! I spent the next week trolling the internet for a DIY recipe, and cobbled together a few to come up with something mostly healthful, that tastes so good I ate it for every meal until it was all gone.
If that isn't enough of a reason to try the recipe, how's this?
I lost TWO POUNDS the day I ate it. And I was so full all day I thought I'd burst.
I guess raw broccoli really does do a body good!
BROCCOLI CRUNCH SALAD
A Whole Foods Knockoff
For the Salad
4-6 Cups Broccoli Crowns, chopped bite size
1/2 Cup Dried Currants, Raisins or Craisins (or any mix of them)
1/2 Cup Bacon Crumbles
1/2 Cup Finely diced red onion
1/2 Cup Sesame Sticks* (for a nut-free salad)
OR 1/2 Cup Candied Cashews
For the Dressing
1/2 Cup Light Mayonnaise
1/4 C Apple Cider Vinegar
2 T Honey (more to taste)
Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
Toss the salad ingredients in a bowl. *If using sesame sticks, sprinkle them on just before serving or they will get mushy. Whisk the dressing ingredients together, adjusting as necessary for taste and consistency. I find some days I add more honey and others more vinegar, depending on the mood my tastebuds are in. Toss salad with dressing and let the flavors meld in the fridge for a few hours if you can stand it. (I can't - I eat it straight out of the bowl. In fact, just pausing to take the picture was torture!)
Bon Appetit!
6 comments:
Can't wait to try it! Thanks for sending good things this way! And two pounds? Wowza. That's some powerful good for you!
I've had broccoli salad on the brain since I read this post yesterday! So when I was at Market Basket today I picked up a container of their homemade version. I'm sure it wasn't as good as yours, but it was definitely yummy!
Mmmm, Judie - Market Basket's was probably even more delicious, because I'll bet the used *real* mayonnaise!
I think you'll like it Mel - it's a great blend of savory, sweet and crunchy (now if we could only work chocolate into it somehow it might be food nirvana!)
I actually had to chase mine with a few peanut M&M's because the red onion was SO strong. Just a thought! ;-)
Oh, I can't wait to try this! I've been craving broccoli (and citrus and of course SUGAR) lately...but this seems like the healthier choice of them all. :)
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