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Home » Broccoli, Dried Cranberry and Smokey Bacon Salad

Broccoli, Dried Cranberry and Smokey Bacon Salad

October 5, 2010 19 Comments


Our neighborhood held it’s annual Fall Potluck Lunch over the weekend that always takes place along the banks of our little community “pond”.  You know the routine, bring one covered dish and the main dish will be provided.  So I thought that I’d make my own version of a salad that I’ve had several times since moving to the South and have fallen in love with.

Nothing gourmet or complicated about this recipe, just easy and filled with lots of flavor.

Oh yea, there’s a lot of broccoli in this deal, so it’s a little bit healthy for us too.  If you want it to be more healthy for you, then eliminate/reduce the mayonnaise.  At the potluck, there were many typical, ‘expected’  and ‘safe’ dishes brought to the potluck (potato salad, cole slaw, deviled eggs, baked beans, etc.) and so this salad was the first to disappear from the food spread!

The changes that I made from recipes found in numerous ‘community’ cookbooks were:  I used the thickest-sliced, meatiest, smokiest bacon I could find . . . none of this mamsy-pamsy thin, complete-white-fat-stuff that pretends to be bacon allowed!  Plus I used a full pound of this thick bacon, instead of 6 oz. of skinny, fatty bacon.  I also replaced ordinary raisins with more flavorful and colorful dried cranberries (plus hubby won’t eat raisins and he’ll devour dried cranberries!).

Enjoy and if you prepare this  . . . I’d love to know what you think and/or how you made it better!

 

Broccoli, Dried Cranberry and Smokey Bacon Salad

Broccoli, Dried Cranberry and Smokey Bacon Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 pound thick-sliced, hickory smoked bacon (this makes ALL the difference!) fried completely until dark reddish-brown and crispy, then cooled, and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces.
  • 1 - 2 pounds fresh broccoli, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1-1/2 cups dried cranberries
  • 1 cup thinly shredded mild cheddar cheese, or small cubes if you like
  • 1 cup slivered almonds
  • 1 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1 - 2 cups mayonnaise
  • 4 Tbsp. vinegar (try using red wine vinegar)
  • 3 Tbsp. sugar

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, blend the first 6 ingredients together (from the broccoli to the sunflower seeds).
  2. Set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar.
  4. Blend well until sugar is dissolved.
  5. Combine the broccoli mixture with the mayonnaise mixture.
© Roz

 

 

Broccoli, Dried Cranberry and Smokey Bacon Salad on FoodistaBroccoli, Dried Cranberry and Smokey Bacon Salad

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Previous Post: « Prosciutto, Fresh Fig, and Manchego Cheese Sandwiches
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Reader Interactions

 

I read each and every comment and respond to questions asap, so ask away!  As I always say, “If you’ve made a recipe, please take a photo and I’ll be happy to share your experience and photo of the recipe with all of us in this blog community!”

The kindness of giving a thumbs up 5-star rating is greatly appreciated!

~ Roz

Comments

  1. Kalei's Best Friend says

    October 5, 2010 at 12:35 PM

    This sounds sinful! lol.. I love bacon/broccoli salad! this is just sounds too good.

    Reply
  2. anniebakes says

    October 5, 2010 at 12:40 PM

    you’re the FIRST person I would invite to any potluck!!

    anne
    http://www.anniebakes.net

    Reply
  3. Kristin says

    October 5, 2010 at 12:58 PM

    This looks really good. I am not surprised that it was the first gone at the pot luck

    Reply
  4. Kim says

    October 5, 2010 at 2:16 PM

    I would love to invite you to a potluck! This salad sounds amazing with so many flavors and textures going on. And, although I do like raisins, I think the cranberries suit this salad better. Looks good!!

    Reply
  5. Eileen says

    October 5, 2010 at 8:25 PM

    This looks absolutely delicious and I just adore broccoli salads, so many combinations. I love the addition of the dried cranberrie yours iny, I will be giving this a try very soon. Yummy!

    Reply
  6. Reeni says

    October 5, 2010 at 9:04 PM

    I would love to see this at a potluck! Such wonderful flavors going on! I bet it’s one of those salads that’s hard to stop eating once you start.

    Reply
  7. elra says

    October 5, 2010 at 9:05 PM

    Always appreciate the taste of bacon in anything 🙂

    Reply
  8. redkathy says

    October 5, 2010 at 9:27 PM

    Fabulous fall salad Roz! I hear you on those typical pot luck dishes and I can see why this one disappeared. I think it wonderful that neighbors still celebrate like yours do.

    Reply
  9. ♥peachkins♥ says

    October 5, 2010 at 9:47 PM

    I love anything with bacon!

    Reply
  10. lizcooper says

    October 6, 2010 at 9:15 AM

    Oh my goodness. This looks delicious! I think I’ve found the blog from heaven!

    Just popped over from Supermom’s blog! I just have to try this recipe!

    Reply
  11. LindyLouMac says

    October 6, 2010 at 2:21 PM

    Why was I not surprised that your salad disappeared first, it looks so tasty.

    Reply
  12. Magic of Spice says

    October 6, 2010 at 4:32 PM

    I bet your neighbors are so pleased to have you around for a potluck…What a fantastic salad 🙂

    Reply
  13. Ben and Carrie Tracks says

    October 6, 2010 at 8:20 PM

    Yes please!!!

    Reply
  14. Monica H says

    October 7, 2010 at 3:40 AM

    This is my favorite version of broccoli salad, though I’ve never added cheeser to it. I also like the crunch of soy nuts instead of almonds. very good.

    Reply
  15. Patrice says

    October 7, 2010 at 5:57 PM

    Roz,
    There is an award for you over at my blog. I think you have a super blog and I wanted to share this with you. You can participate as much or as little as you like, but enjoy the award!
    Patrice
    http://www.everydayruralty.com

    Reply
  16. Briana says

    October 8, 2010 at 7:29 PM

    That looks delicious. I’m visiting on the Friday Blog Hop.

    Reply
  17. Debinhawaii says

    October 10, 2010 at 9:07 PM

    Bring on the bacon! 😉 This looks delicious–a great way to get some broccoli into the diet. Thanks for sending it to Souper Sundays.

    Reply
  18. Welcome To My Kitchen says

    October 11, 2010 at 7:03 AM

    Hello Im a new follower through follow friday. Nice to meet you. You have a lovely blog. I would like to give you the Lovely Blog Award. Please contact me on my blog !! Have a great day.

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    October 13, 2010 at 3:50 AM

    how are you!This was a really fabulous subject!
    I come from itlay, I was fortunate to search your blog in wordpress
    Also I learn a lot in your topic really thanks very much i will come again

    Reply

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Welcome!

Welcome!

Ciao, I'm Roz!
From my family's kitchens and restaurants in the U.S. and Italy, I share classic, delicious recipes . . . and always served with 'amore'! I'll help you master the art of cooking with easy to follow instructions and cooking tips. Get ready for the compliments! Buon Appetito!

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