Loaded Broccoli Salad and a Barbecue

Written by Tricia on April 15, 2013. Posted in Food, Recipes.

There’s nothing better than a free day from work (Sundays for me) when you’re productive, relaxed and the sun is shining. Here in Northern Michigan, it may be April but it certainly hasn’t looked like spring for some time. So when the sun peaks through the clouds I’ll make every excuse I can to get outside and soak it in.

Yesterday was exactly one of those days. By 6:00 PM I’d cleaned the house, gone out for a run, packed up the refrigerator with groceries, made a deliciously fresh salad and started up the grill for the first time this season. After the cold months of winter, its incredibly refreshing when the sun shines and the snow starts to melt; as I’m sure others may relate, the sun’s rays increase my productivity by at least 120%.

The salad I made was an extension of my productive day because I made enough to save and eat throughout the rest of the week. Lunch at the office is SO much better when it strays away from the ordinary turkey sandwich or $8+ lunch out. To me, homemade leftovers are the solution to the boring office eats.

 

Ingredients

• 3 large broccoli heads
• 5 radishes, cut in 3 and dice
• 2 tomatoes quartered and seeded than diced
• 1 apple peeled and diced
• ½ cup of red grapes, diced, drain the juice
• 1 cup green onions (5 green onions minus the white part) diced
• 1 cup medium carrot shredded
• ½ cup dried cranberries (optional, but highly recommended)

Dressing Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp sunflower oil or olive oil
• 1 Tbsp mayo
• 1 Tbsp sour cream
• ½ tsp garlic salt
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice

Directions:

1. Wash all the vegetables. Chop your broccoli, radishes, tomatoes and apple into small diced pieces.
2. Finely chop the green onion and grate the carrot. Combine all the veggies in a large salad mixing bowl and add in the cranberries.
3. In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk together until combined: 3 Tbsp sunflower oil or olive oil, 1 Tbsp mayo, 1 Tbsp sour cream, ½ tsp of salt, a few dashes of garlic powder and 3 Tbsp lemon juice. Stir the finished dressing into the salad and mix well. (If like me, you’ll be making a big batch for the week, do not add the dressing to the chopped produce and instead store them separately until they’re ready to be served)

With Spring in the air and Summer on its way this is the perfect side dish, main dish or salad dish to bring to any upcoming barbecues or simply to enjoy at home. It’s become a new favorite of mine and not only is it super tasty, but it combines a slew of incredible fresh fruits and vegetables.

Delicious and Nutritious!

love,

tricia

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