Broccoli Bacon Salad

Wow! The summer is shaping up to be busier than we expected. With vacations and reunions coming up, I have a feeling it's going to go by fast. That makes me sad, because I really like spring/summer and it is just flying by. It is hard for me to believe this Friday is the first day of summer!

It has been super hot lately. And for a girl that is used to the relatively cool Bear Lake summers, it's a little much for me to handle. It doesn't help that we live in an older house without air conditioning. Add to that carrying around my little baby and it's sweltering. Some days I feel like the Wicked Witch of the West, you know..."I'm melting! MELTING!"

It's been pretty much a constant 80 plus degrees in this house. 

So it's been a bit of a challenge to get dinner on the table because the thought of cooking anything sounds exhausting. Well, good thing for you I've got an easy summer salad to whip up. And it requires very little cooking, if at all.

My mom first made this salad a few years ago for a reunion and I loved it. It's simple and doesn't go too far over the top with the ingredients. I've seen different versions of this salad with cheese and raisins, and if you want to add that stuff, go ahead. But for me, I like it simple with just a few ingredients.

And this is the perfect salad for the 4th of July. Serve it on the side of burgers or steaks and it's awesome!

Broccoli Bacon Salad
makes about 8-10 servings
print this recipe

2 large heads of broccoli
8-10 bacon strips
2/3 cup roasted, salted sunflower seeds
1/3 cup diced red onion

Dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise
3-4 Tbs red wine vinegar
2 Tbs sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper




First, cook the bacon. I like to bake mine in the oven because it's easy. Preheat oven to 400º. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Bake about 20-25 minutes or until crispy. If you don't want to bake it, you can always use a pan on the stove or you can cook it in the microwave. See! Hardly cooking here, people.



Place the bacon on paper towels on a plate to help drain off excess oil while you prepare the salad.



Rinse and chop broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces. I only use the florets. Add them to a large bowl along with the diced onion and sunflower seeds. Roughly chop cooled bacon and add it to the mix.

Mix dressing ingredients in a separate bowl and add it to the broccoli mixture. Stir well to coat.

Enjoy, and stay cool out there!






-Candice