Broccoli Salad
We are well into the Christmas season and Good Friends Good Food is cooking anything from the category of holiday green vegetables this week. So, I chose broccoli salad.
I have been making various versions of this broccoli salad during the holidays for many years. It is chocked full of vegetables and is not super rich. I like it because it offsets some of the very rich food that I typically serve during the holidays. However, it doesn’t appear often in our house. Therefore, it is usually a special occasion when we have it.
The recipe’s origin goes back to a popular restaurant in Birmingham many years ago, The Wild Root. The recipe appeared in the newspaper along with a picture of a friend who worked there. This version is different because I have been progressively changing it to reduce calories. If interested in something closer to the original recipe, simply increase the ratio of the dressing to the vegetables.
This is a super easy and quick dish to prepare. The vegetables are chopped and combined in one bowl. Similarly, the remaining ingredients are combined as a dressing. After that, the contents to both bowls are combined.
Recipe
Ingredients
4 c. Fresh Broccoli, chopped
1/2 c. Crasins
1 c. Water Chestnuts, chopped
1/2 c. Red Onion, chopped
3/4 c. Cheddar Cheese, shredded
3/4 c. Mayonnaise
2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tbsp Sugar
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 Garlic Clove, minced
Directions
Firstly, combine broccoli, crasins, water chestnuts, and onion in a bowl. Secondly, combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl to make a dressing. Lastly, combine the dressing mixture with broccoli mixture.
This Version
Because I am making this dish for the cooking group, we had it for a regular weekday dinner. It was crispy and delicious! However, I am sad to say that we both ate too much. Perhaps it is because the dish is a holiday tradition where overeating is the norm.
Above all, please check out other delicious recipes from Good Friends Good Food. Also, see my page Vegetables with Good Friends, Good Food and you will see links to other vegetables.
Ulrike’s Mince Meat Stew with Chard and Black Eyed Peas
In conclusion, the next vegetable Good Friends Good Food is cooking is carrots. I’m sure there will be some creative offerings by those outstanding cooks.
I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and the happiest New Year!
So looking forward to 2021!
What a beautiful salad, just perfect for Christmas. We love this kind of salad, and I made one for this week as well using roasted broccoli. I have never had water chestnuts or cheese in a Broccoli Salad before and both sound great so I will give this a try. It really does look beautiful and festive.
Thanks, this has been a favorite of ours for years.
This is not only a side dish, but it would make a great lunch salad. Thanks for the post.
You are very welcome Geri!
I love a good broccoli salad and each one is different. I love the idea of Craisins and water chestnuts in it.
Thanks Margaret! I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!
I have been making a version of this broccoli salad for so many years, but haven’t made it recently. Your salad looks amazing and is inspiring me to make it soon!
Thanks Nancy! I have found that cooking with this group has led me to pull out old favorites, some of which are rarely seen.
Merry Christmas!
Wow, this woman can cook & camp with the best of them! “ Did I mentioned she also beautiful too! “ Of course this husband is very biased!
My dear husband, you are and have always been my biggest fan!
Looks delicious! I could totally get into this except for the onions! Nice presentation! I did a broccoli dish too!
Thanks! You broccoli dish looked amazing! I am going to try it soon.
Merry Christmas Peggy!
What an interesting salad. I have to admit I never had water chestnuts in my life. I dont’t have even a clue where to buy. If so I will try this salad.
Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays Ulrike!
Water chestnuts have a unique flavor and lots of crunch. The thing that I think is most Ike it is jicama. My water chestnuts were in a can and are found in the US in the Asian food section.