Broccoli Delight Salad

Talk about feast and famine . . . we're having a heat wave here in the UK! Yayy, it's about time!!




Everywhere you look people have donned their shorts and tank tops, sun hats and sun glasses. The parks are loaded with sun worshippers toasting their bodies . . .



And the seasides are overfun with people looking to escape the temperatures of hot concrete in exchange for cool sea breezes!



This is barbeque weather! Time to light the coals and crack open the lawn furniture! Pop a few cool bevvies, and toss a few salads.



Tonight with barbequed cheddar and red onion burgers we are having this tasty salad. Nothing new to some of you I am sure, but a real favourite of ours.



I always blanch the broccoli first as my body doesn't tolerate completely raw broccoli very well. It also makes for a lovely bright green colour of broccoli, which looks so very pretty. I like to use roasted salted nuts, and you'll be glad to know that tender stem broccoli works just as well as the other kind.



It keeps for several days in the refrigerator, which is a good thing and makes it very handy for snacking on!! Hmmmm . . . I wonder if I'll be able to talk Todd into chasing down the Icecream Truck after tea time . . .



*Broccoli Delight Salad*
Serves about 6 people
Printable Recipe

Delicious salad filled with lovely colours, textures and flavours. Crisp broccoli, sharp red onion, sweet sultanas and crunchy toasted nuts, in a tangy buttermilk dressing. Delightful!

2 to 3 heads of fresh broccoli
(or equivalent amount of tender stem broccoli)
120g of chopped roasted nuts
(I use a mixture of almonds and pecans)
1 handful of sultana raisins
1/2 of a small red onion, peeled and finely chopped

For the dressing:
4 ounces buttermilk (well shaken before measuring)
1 heaped dessertspoon of mayonnaise (I use nonfat)
2 TBS cider vinegar
1 TBS caster sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Trim and chop the broccoli, discarding any woody stems. (You can use the stems if you peel them) Place them into a bowl and pour boiling water over them. Leave for about 45 seconds and then drain well and rinse in cold water. Drain well again. Place in a dry bowl. Add the chopped nuts, raisins and onion. Toss together well.

Whisk together the buttermilk, mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour this over top of the salad, and again toss well. Cover and chill for several hours before serving.