Recipe Alert (Broccoli Salad)

I was sitting with a couple of my girl friends the other day and they confessed that other than garnishing boiled rice they were not quite sure what to do with broccoli. To tell the truth I was quite like them until a short time ago - when I started taking my healthy lifestyle seriously and I found out some amazing facts about this superfood.
 
Do you know that broccoli is a SUPERFOOD that promotes wellness and weight management, it's also not too shabby in the disease fighting arena either. WebMD lists broccoli as one of its top ten Superfoods -along with eggs, sweet potatoes, nuts, kiwis (not the people! the fruit ...lol) and so on. [If you want to read more visit the WebMD site http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/10-everyday-super-foods?page=2]. Anyway the short version is that broccoli has strong antioxidant properties which 'could' improve the odds of breast cancer survival (please note the 'could'). It's high in fibre and which 'could' help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Plus at 31 calories per cup it's high in major vitamines and minerals required for a healthy life.
 
Have I sold you on broccoli yet? I hope so...and I hope knowing about it's magnificent benefits will nudge you into your kitchen to try this broccoli salad recipe I found a while ago.

You’ll need

1 bunch floret of broccoli

3 cloves of garlic mashed into paste

2 tablespoons lemon juice

½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 pinch of red pepper flakes

1 pinch of black pepper

1/3 cup of olive oil

Red onions (optional) chopped to little bits

Nuts to garnish

Salt to taste

 

What to do

• Prepare your broccoli (trimming and cutting into quarters crosswise)
• Bring a pot of lightly salted water to boil, put in the broccoli and boil until slightly firm (test with a fork) – this should take about 5-7 minutes.
• While your broccoli is boiling, skin your garlic. Chop them up and set aside for 5 minutes (this releases its healthy cancer fighting power).
• Take your broccoli out of the boiling water, and plunge into another bowl of cold water (to stop the cooking process) then drain.
• Transfer the broccoli to a colander and allow the veggies drip (florets facing down) for about 30 minutes. While this is going on, prepare your dressing using the next step (don’t forget to mash your garlic bits)
• Whisk your lemon, garlic, vinegar, onions, mustard, and peppers together in a serving bowl. The drizzle your olive oil over this and whisk some more until everything is thick and creamy. Taste for salt – adjust other condiments to your peculiar taste. This is your dressing
• Toss the broccoli with the dressing and allow to stand for 8-10minutes. Then toss again (just to make sure you reached everywhere). Garnish with your nuts (optional)
• Refrigerate (if that is your preference) before you serve. Although I like mine at room temp.
• Let the guilt free chomping commence!!!

So, other than ganishing your boiled rice and this simple salad there ARE many other fantastic uses for broccoli, you just have to find them... Think soups, smoothies (try broccoli, kiwi, carrot and mint with a dash of black pepper and salt), more salads, cassaroles...your body will thank you for it.

 

 

Did you try this recipe or any of the other posted so far? What do you think? I would really love to hear from you. Do you have a recipie to share? Drop a comment and let's encourage eachother.

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