Broccoli

[becca]

Broccoli salad for lunch today:



Yummy! 

So, I do not use recipes, exactly, so I will guesstimate:

About 6 or so cups of bite sized broccoli florets
2 very large, or 4 small green onions(lol, the ones I had were local and huge)
about a cup or so of sliced or halved grapes, or more to taste.

Dressing:

1/2 to 2/3 cup light mayo(or vegan version)
2T cider vinegar(adjust to a bit more if you use more mayo)
2 tsp sugar(I did not measure but added raw sugar to taste, the grapes add sweetness, too)
about 1/3 cup of crumbled bacon(I used packaged bacon crumbles, real ones)

Mix the dressing and let sit for a bit while you wash and do the veggies.  The bacon and sugar flavors will blend in better. 

Toss veggies with dressing and chill for 1-2 hours.  Adjust amounts of dressing/veggies to desired moistness.  I tend to like these sorts of things on the drier side.  Not sloppy wet.  It is like a slaw dressing, but with the broccoli and bacon, a nice twist!  Sweet and savory. 

I will say this made about 4 lunch sized servings, or 6-8 side servings. 

[YouKnowWho]

I will have to try your recipe Becca which is much healthier than mine.

This is the one I use but I sub Greek Yogurt for mayo.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/broccoli-salad-recipe.html

DS1 is okay with mine but in all honesty he prefers plain veggies.

[ajasfolks2]

I like this version -- I'm going to try it soon.  (My version is raisins instead of grapes.)

I also love very thinly sliced red onion instead of the green, which is nice contrast against the sweet raisins / grapes, and the sugar in the dressing.

I've also subbed part low-fat sour cream for some of the mayo.
I like the even lower fat Greek yogurt sub idea too -- I've subbed low-fat sour cream for some of the mayo before.

This salad can be done with combo of 1/2 broccoli and 1/2 cauliflower too . . . or all cauliflower.  The white is pretty with red onion, raisins, and bacon bits.  (And if do all-cauliflower, the green onions are pretty too -- just depends what you want the salad to look like, if that matters.)

I'm wishing I'd never discovered the applewood smoked bacon bits.   

[ajasfolks2]

For non-pork eaters, some fine-diced smoked turkey is great substitute too.

[becca]

I'm wishing I'd never discovered the applewood smoked bacon bits.   

That is what I used!  I discovered them when I used them as a shortcut for the sandwiches I had to make for the teacher luncheon 2 weeks ago. 

I could do the yogurt to cut some calories up the pretein a tad, but dh is not a fan of plain or Greek style yogurt.  But that does appeal to me.  Also the cauli does too.

[PurpleCat]

That looks so yummy!  I wish I had a magic sub for dairy and mayo.

[becca]

PC, for mayo can you use vegannaise or nayonnaise?  They are egg free subs for mayo.  But not lower calorie, I do not think, not sure about that.  They taste good in salads too.  I had a coworker years ago, who used to use them.  She was vegan and used to make this amazing beet/apple salad with it.  I cannot for the life of me find the recipe, and I no longer know her. 

[Macabre]

I've always wanted to make a vegetarian version of this for DS but am loathe to use raisins in the salad. Don't ask me why. I like raisins.

I make a chicken salad with grapes and pecans for our Easter picnic to spread on water crackers (everything else is vegetarian--we also make hummus). DS asked if I could make a vegetarian version. I think if the florets are small enough, this could work.

Also, this broccoli salad--or the one with raisins--shows up frequently at church potlucks with bacon. DS has always wanted to try it but obviously won't.  Becca your recipe looks like such a good option. I will make this without the bacon.

Thanks for posting!

[ajasfolks2]

I am wondering about topping this salad with those French Fried onions -- especially if leaving out the bacon/ham.  This might give some salt and crunch that would sub for the loss of the bacon? 

Yes, I know those FF onions are not exactly a healthy sub (oh, the ingredient list is scary) . . . but once in awhile, or for special occasion might be good, if ok for specific allergies?

Trying to think of other smoky/salty/chewy/crunchy substitute.

Mac -- if you all can eat nuts, then I would think some of those smoked Blue Diamond almonds would be excellent in this salad -- chopped or whole.

[becca]

I do think there are vegan bacon bits type things. 

Also, there is a different broccoli salad with a sweet and sour dressing and crushed up ramen noodles.  Not light by any means, but a yummy treat.  I can post it.  I always lighten up the sugar in these.  If not for sesame allergy, the sweet and sour one could be done with a bottled light dressing as well. 

This is the basis for the one I have made, but I use way less dressing overall, and way less sugar.  You need to fiddle with it to your palate:  Obviously you can omit nuts, and I have subbed sunflower seeds.  very nice.  Really, any Asian flavored/style dressing works on this.  As a leftover, the noodles soften, and it is still good that way, just different.  I do not make this nowadays, but did love it. 

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Easy-Broccoli-Slaw-Salad/Detail.aspx?prop24=RD_RelatedRecipes

[becca]

Here we go!

http://yummyplants.com/accidentally-vegan/accidentally-vegan-mccormick-bacon-bits/

[Macabre]

Oh that's right. Sometimes we keep that around.

Good idea about the smoked almonds.  I personally am not fond of them (I really don't like smoked things that taste like smoke flavor), but DH loves them.