Eat This: Lose Weight – Crunchy, Sexy Broccoli Salad
Last weekend, we (DH and I) were invited to a Garden Party! Imagine that!!! Outside, in a garden! Thus the name, garden party! Duh Nevertheless, thrilling for this CityGrrrl.
I asked, “What can I bring?” A Broccoli Dish was the answer! Now, while you might think Broccoli Not-so-Exciting, think again! Or…taste again. Because…
…This Fat-Burning Broccoli dish was crunchy, satisfying, delicious, and if you want to eat more than one serving, go for it. It’s guilt-free, as well! And simply gorgeous, given the red, green and almond colors throughout!
Ingredients:
1 pound broccoli crowns, cut into florets (3 crowns)
1 quart cherry tomatoes
1/4 to 1/2 cup almond slivers
1/2 to 3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 to 3/4 cup edamame (frozen: heated in microwave per instructions for 2 minutes)
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, taste.
Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets in batches and boil until bright green, 2 minutes. Add to a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking, or add to a colander in the sink and run with cold water. Drain well and place in a large bowl. **NOTE: This is THE best way to ‘cook’ your broccoli. Was better than raw, but still mighty crunchy and tasty!**
Add the tomatoes, almonds, dried cranberries and edamame to the bowl with the broccoli and toss. Honestly, I started with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the cranberries, almonds and edamame, but I am a “more is more” kind of person, so I kept shaking a bit more from the bag. So…let’s just say to taste, without going mad-crazy-wild!
Whisk together the mustard, vinegar and olive oil. Add dressing to the salad and toss. **This was just the right amount of dressing, as it coated everything. Was not dripping in dressing! Perfection!**
Regarding the salt n’ pepper. I didn’t add any! I’d salted the water and there was so much fabulous taste from the mustard/olive oil dressing, I didn’t think it needed the extra…but up to you!
AND…once again, for the Nighttime Eaters out there–there’s no reason that you cannot enjoy a large bowl of broccoli at night! Want to munch and crunch? Choose wisely.
Eat healthy, go guilt-free into the night!
For more fat-burning beautiful recipes, and Tushkateer chit-chat, visit Our Lady of Weight Loss’s: Facebook/Kick in the Tush Club Chapter!
Spread the word … NOT the icing,
Janice Taylor
wise * fun * utterly useful
Dictated but not read by OLWL. Excuse all typos!