Broccoli apple salad. This is a recipe my mother-in-law often makes so she shared her version with me. I was in the mood for a different way to eat my broccoli- normally it’s just raw with dip, steamed or roasted then topped with lemon, but this is a nice cold salad that keeps for several days so it’s perfect for lunches or snack. When we were in Hawaii this past summer for our family reunion we served it for brunch with an egg casserole and fruit salad. It’s a very versatile dish.
Broccoli frequently earns a spot in the “top superfoods” list- it’s low in calories, high in fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and antioxidants- it is classified under the cruciferous food group and this particular group (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale, etc.) have been shown to help reduce rates of cancer. So should you eat it raw or cooked? To absorb the highest amounts of the cancer-fighting compound sulforaphane, eat it raw. With that being said, if you will only eat it cooked try to cook it to the point where it is still a bit crunchy so that you don’t destroy all those healthy properties.
The addition of the dried cranberries, apples and sunflowers satisfy the whole sweet-salty and crunchy all in one bite.
Ok moving on to the exciting updates over at the Flinn house. My oldest son turns SIX tomorrow! I can hardly believe it- he is still so tiny and sweet. He still likes me, wants me to play with him and was thrilled that I joined his class on the pumpkin patch field trip last week! I am saying that because there is a day (probably soon) where he won’t want anything to do with me! I kind of thought by the time he turned 6 he wouldn’t be such a mama’s boy. Love this kid.
Lucky for me, I talked him out of having a party this year. It all boiled down to the fact that we don’t have as much money to spend and with the addition of the baby last year we now have birthdays to celebrate in Oct, Nov & Dec. Also since we just moved here in May and he started school in August he doesn’t have super close friends so I’d either have to invite the whole class or just the few neighbors he plays with. He was fine with the idea of skipping a party this year BUT he really wants to go to Chuck-E-Cheese since he has never been and only seen great things from the TV. Gotta love commercials. It should be interesting to see what that place is like since I haven’t been since I was a kid!
We also decided that during our trip to San Diego in December we will surprise the kids with Disney Land as part of their birthday gift. I think that is WAAAAY better than a party don’t you?
So I am off to make some birthday cake/cupcakes but am so much more relaxed knowing that I don’t have to put on my creative party hat this year.
- 4 broccoli crowns (~2½ lbs or ~8-9 cups)
- 3 Gala or Honey Crisp apples, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 package Craisins
- ½ (8.5 ounce) package sunflower seeds
- 1 cup mayonaise (I use half low fat, half regular)
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon celery seed
- 2 packets stevia (or 4 teaspoons sugar)
- Cut crowns into florets and finely chop into very small bite-sized pieces (may also finely chop some of stems if desired). Make sure pieces of broccoli are very small for this salad. Place in a large bowl. Stir in apple, craisins and sunflower seeds.
- Add dressing and toss well to coat. Refrigerate until serving.
Also note this recipe is best made a few hours before serving to let the broccoli soften up a bit.
Let’s chat: have you ever skipped throwing a birthday party for your kid? Do you usually eat your broccoli raw or cooked?
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Your kids are going to love that surprise!! Disney is the best! Ah I remember wanting to go to Chuck E Cheese so badly when I was younger. That thing is like crack to little kids! ;p
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This recipe looks great! I will have to give it a try. We have a broccoli salad recipe that is similar but uses bacon instead for the salty. Mi love the idea of sunflower seeds instead. I hear you on the parties. My kids birthdays are 17 days apart (twins and a baby sister). Since Madi has been born we have always just done one big party for all three. Mainly because I feel bad have relatives take two weekends in close proximity to celebrate birthdays. We keep parties to family and close friends that know all three kids. It helps that is is in the middle of the summer so school is out so we don’t have that to factor in to the mix. Although, I know my days of this is soon to be over as they get older. Oh we’ll, I will enjoy it as long as I can.
This looks like my kind of salad Melanie. Yum!
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I will definitely be making this! I will use veggienaise and almond milk yogurt to make it vegan. But what a refreshing way to eat broccoli!
And yes, we skip parties every other year. They each get one on their even birthdays. Since Reid is turning 8, he gets one in a few weeks. But Dani will be 11, so she will just get to have a friend to spend the night or something like that. We started this from the time they were little. They don’t even question it and look forward to both ways of celebrating! Have fun at Chuck E. Cheese!!!! 🙂
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I’ve got to cook my veggies for sure or they will just sit in my stomach hurting me. 🙂
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That salad looks SO good! When I was little, I didn’t like broccoli…now I eat it whenever I can and I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate it into meals! Can’t wait to try!
Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food recently posted..Caught Up With Me
My mom used to make a similar salad too, it’s yummy! Way to go getting out of the bday party planning this year. We’ve only had a few so far, and I enjoy it, but it can be a ton of work! Disneyland will be an awesome surprise.
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oh this salad looks SO good! I bet it has such a wonderful texture to it!
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This salad looks delicious, and I would love to make it this weekend. Would it still taste good if I used all Greek Yogurt rather than mayo?
Thanks Maria! My guess is that it would work fine! Let me know if you do make it that way and what you think!
We love your recipes! Just a quick question, how long does the broccoli salad last in the fridge? Just the two of us. We love it! Thank you for all of your delicious recipes!
Sincerely,
Nicole Boivin
Thank you so much for your sweet comment. I appreciate it. I would say that the broccoli salad should last for about 5 days. Mine hasn’t made it past 3 or so but it does hold up well. Hope that helps!