Description
A vibrant Broccoli Crunch Salad combining fresh broccoli, dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and Manchego cheese, tossed in a tangy lemon and white wine vinegar dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish with a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons minced shallots
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Salad
- 1 lb broccoli (chopped into bite size pieces)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup Manchego cheese (diced; or sharp cheddar, feta, etc.)
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds (chopped)
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, mayonnaise, minced shallots, Dijon mustard, and honey. Slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil while continuously whisking until the dressing emulsifies and thickens. Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the chopped broccoli, dried cranberries, diced Manchego cheese, and chopped toasted almonds.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly. Use all the dressing for full flavor.
- Let flavors meld (optional): Let the salad sit for a few minutes at room temperature to allow the flavors to blend together before serving, though this step is optional and can be skipped if desired.
Notes
- This salad pairs well with grilled meats or can be served as a standalone vegetarian side dish.
- You can substitute Manchego cheese with sharp cheddar, feta, or any salty cheese of your choice.
- For a nut-free version, omit the almonds or replace with toasted sunflower seeds.
- Adjust the sweetness by modifying the amount of honey according to taste.
- Allowing the salad to sit for a few minutes enhances the flavor absorption but it is also delicious served immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 226 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 79 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 6 mg
