True Queen Fashion Update

True Taste: Creamy & Sweet Broccoli Salad

Posted: 04 Jan 2012 09:00 PM PST

Image : Healthful Pursuit

I’ve always been into healthy alternative eating, especially because being a vegetarian, you gotta get a little creative to avoid the soggy salad blues. What I seem to have forgotten is how versitle vegetables really can be. I love broccoli but I’ve never really made it the foundation of an entire salad before. For the holiday season I let myself indulge for once, but with the start of a new year I plan on getting back on my health and fitness grind.

I found this recipe on the healthful pursuit and seriously can’t stop salivating thinking of how tasty this salad looks! There is a vegan alternative to the recipe as well, so it is vegetarian friendly when you substitute those bacon bits. To cut the fat content I would either completely omit the sunflower seeds and/or use less oil.

This is what I’m having for lunch today!

Recipe

6 cups fresh broccoli florets, steamed for 3 minutes
7 strips uncured beef bacon, cooked fully and then chopped
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, sliced thin
1/4 cup dried currants
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup of red onion, chopped

Dressing

1/2 cup canola, olive oil or egg-free mayonnaise
2 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp gluten-free mustard
1 tbsp unpasteurized honey

Directions

Lightly steam the broccoli for 2-3 minutes, just until the florets are crisp tender. Place in a large bowl and set aside.
Fry bacon as per package instructions. Be sure to cook until crisp. Beef bacon is higher in protein, easier on digestion, a has less fat. Plus it tastes so good! Once cooked, set on a paper towel lined plate. Pat dry and break up into small pieces.
Add bacon, sun dried tomatoes, currants, sunflower seeds and red onion to the broccoli bowl.
In a separate small bowl, combine dressing ingredients and stir until incorporated. Pour over the broccoli mix and stir to coat.
Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and enjoy!

Vegan alternative: Substitute with veggie bacon bits and egg-free mayonnaise

**This recipe has been modified a little so stop by the healthful pursuit here for the original.**