Creamy Broccoli Salad

This summer side dish staple is one of my favorites.

Eat up your greens!

Here's the thing.

Sometimes my blog posts are planned out weeks in advance.  Some of them are sponsored by wonderful companies and require a lot more work behind the scenes.  Some of them are methodically planned out to "peak" at the right season.

And there are recipes that become blog posts without much thought, nor planning, research or development.

Take for instance this Creamy Broccoli Salad.  I was standing at my kitchen window {doing dishes...ugh!} when I looked at my garden in the backyard noticing I should probably pick my first head of broccoli. It was big, green and ready to be eaten.

Shockingly, this was a Saturday and we had NO PLANS for the night.  I had set out some scrumptious local bratswurst to grill for dinner and I needed to incorporate this broccoli somehow...when a memory of this salad jumped into my mind.

I'm sure we've all had some variation of this salad at some point in our lives.  Some leave out the bacon {the horror}, others swear by raisins.  I've even seen where some like to include croutons to give it a super crunch factor.

I personally would never imagine leaving out the bacon and while I like the dried cranberry effect, raisins are fine too.  And since we have a WHOLE SHELF in our kitchen cupboard devoted to various nuts and seeds, I stuck with the traditional route of salted sunflower seeds.

With all of that salt and sweetness you need a creamy dressing.  It brings it all together and makes the most creamiest sauce!  Mayo haters give it a try, will ya?

I served this for that random dinner at our house on a Saturday night, but it's special enough to bring to a potluck or picnic.  I even had it at a graduation reception last month!

Now while I hand-picked this broccoli from my garden...I am not above jumping in the car and driving to the grocery store to pick up some.  Broccoli is broccoli in my opinion, whether from your own backyard to the neighboring market.

Whatever.  Just make this!

Even my kids {I have two who'd rather chew off their big toe than eat broccoli}, ate this without their usual complaining.

Bacon helps everything run smoothly.

Yield: 8Author: Ally

Creamy Broccoli Salad

prep time: 10 MINScook time: 10 MINStotal time: 20 mins

This delicious summer salad is full of flavor! Fresh broccoli, crunchy sunflower seeds, dried berries all tossed in a creamy dressing. Perfect for summer picnics!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb. fresh broccoli florets
• 1/2 lb. bacon, diced and cooked
• 1/2 c. dried cranberries or raisins
• 1/2 c. salted, shelled sunflower seeds
• 1 T. dried onion flakes
• 1 c. mayonnaise
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 2 t. vinegar
• 1 t. salt
• 1 t. pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large bowl combine the broccoli florets, cooked bacon, dried fruit and sunflower seeds. Toss until mixed.
2. In a small bowl stir together the mayo, sugar, vinegar and spices.
3. Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours prior to eating, stirring again right before serving.

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