Broccoli Salad

Summer is here in full force!  It is so hot and humid here in South Louisiana that it's hard to go outside at all.  The other morning I foolishly tried to sit outside and drink my coffee.  My hubby walked outside, looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Why?"  I don't know why?  It felt like the air was mad at me.  Like it was physically attacking me.  Time to go inside and stay there.  Til October.

One way to stay cool is to eat cold foods.  Here is a great summer salad recipe that's easy to make and great for a party.  You can make it the day before and it tastes even better the next day.  Plus, it's really delicious.  Leave it to the South to smother healthy broccoli in a mayo dressing, bacon and cheese.  Oh well, as long as you don't eat it everyday you'll be alright.  But it's so darn tasty you just might want to.

BROCCOLI SALAD

4 slices bacon
1 head broccoli, chopped
3/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 of a Vidalia onion (any sweet onion), diced
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
2 TBS red wine vinegar
1 TBS sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp lemon juice


Cook the bacon until crisp.  Drain.  Crumble.


In a large bowl, combine bacon, broccoli, cheese, diced onion, cranberries and sunflower seeds.

Prepare the dressing by whisking together the vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, mayo and lemon juice.

Toss the dressing with the broccoli mixture and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

This recipe is so simple, but so good!  It's cool and refreshing, a perfect summer salad.  It will keep for several days in the fridge and goes with just about everything.  This is a great recipe to have on hand.  The next time you have to bring something to a potluck or need a side dish for your BBQ, this is the one to make.  You'll enjoy this cool salad all summer long!