Friday, May 22, 2009

Broccoli Salad (Sweet Tomatoes Style)

It’s “Foodie Friday” time again!  Gollum @ Designs By Gollum is our hostess for this fun event.

Foodie_Friday_Logo_2 

I have a delicious recipe to share with you this week.  If you are going to, or hosting,  a Memorial Day get-together this weekend, it would make a wonderful side dish to add to the menu!
First, a little history about this recipe …
Here in Florida, we have a restaurant chain called Sweet Tomatoes.  These restaurants  are also in approximately 14 other states so some of you may have eaten at one.  (You can go  here and type in your zip code to see if there is one close to you. )
For those of you who have never been to a  Sweet Tomatoes restaurant, it is an all-you-can-eat salad buffet featuring fresh vegetables, salads, made-from-scratch soups, muffins and breads, and hot pastas.
One of my favorite salads is their broccoli salad, which I am told is called “Joan’s Broccoli Madness,” so recently  I went searching the web for a copycat recipe.
The list of ingredients is fairly simple:  fresh uncooked  broccoli, red onion, bacon, cashews, raisins, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar and sugar.
IMG_1877 broccoli salad #1
Because it was more economical than buying a box of raisins and a can of cashews, I elected to use a pre-mixed Trail Mix instead.  It contained the cashews and raisins  the recipe called for but there was also a variety other nuts and seeds in it, which I liked.  When I make this salad in the future, I will definitely use the Trail Mix again but I also want to add some golden raisins. 
Chopped broccoli, red onions, crispy crumbled bacon and the trail mix…IMG_1889 broccoli salad #2

 

Mix in the dressing, chill and enjoy. 
Mmmmmm…..IMG_1895 broccoli salad #3  

At first, I thought this recipe might be rather labor intensive with all the chopping.  However,  I had everything all chopped up in minutes…even before my bacon was done cooking in the microwave.   It truly took minimal effort to make this broccoli salad and it was just as yummy as what Sweet Tomatoes serves.  It has definitely earned a spot in my file of favorite recipes!
I’ll be making it this weekend.    Be sure to let me know if you try it!

JOAN'S BROCCOLI MADNESS SALAD
Serves 6 to 8
FOR THE SALAD:
1 bunch fresh, raw broccoli, washed and cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup (4 to 5 strips) cooked bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup dry roasted cashews **
1/3 cup raisins **
1/4 cup fresh red onion, finely chopped
FOR THE DRESSING:
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Place the salad ingredients into a large bowl and gently toss till mixed.
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until smooth. 
Add dressing to salad, mix well, and chill. 
**Note:  in place of  cashews and raisins, I substituted  about 1/2 package of “Nuts, Seeds & Raisins”  Trail Mix by Planters.


18 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a delicious looking salad!
I have seen Sweet Tomatoes, but have never stopped in. This is definitely one to try, and I have just clipped the recipe. It's lovely to meet another Florida blogger. I am about an hour from you, just enjoying my new lovely life. You have a very pretty blog. Count me as a reader..

Sue.

Unknown said...

Oh how yummy this sounds. Sounds like a great dish for summer picnic. Stop by and visit my food post; if you like what you see, click on the "Follow" button on the right. Also, think about placing my boutique button on your site for easy access. It's the Gold Frame on the top right side that has porcelain roses. Should you want me to add you to my Food Blog list, just leave me a message.

Martha said...

This is a favorite of ours -- only here sunflower seeds are used instead of the cashews (I like the cashews better) -- it is great summer fare and great potluck fare (you always bring home an empty bowl!)

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

This salad looks so good...thanks for the recipe...
Becky

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

This sounds delicious! I may make it this weekend! Happy Foodie Friday! Have a great weekend ~ Susan

Mary Bergfeld said...

This really does look delicious. I'm ashamed to admit I've never had a broccoli salad. We'll have to remedy that this weekend. Enjoy the holiday weekend.

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

I adore this salad... can't get enough of it! Yummy!

Anonymous said...

I love salads and yours looks scrumptious!
be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Unknown said...

I love Sweet Tomatoes restaurant!!

Your salad looks so good. I can't wait until my spinach and lettuce is mature enough to harvest!!!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh Girl this looks so good...YUMMY!! thanks for sharing...and I also am having problems with abort...in fact I hope this goes throught...may you have a great memorial weekend my friend...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Terry said...

I'll definitely be making this recipe - have a nice Memorial weekend!

Puna said...

I love salads and if there's bacon in it, all the better! I love the roses in your header. That's your garden? You are so lucky!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

I've made the traditional recipe before - trail mix sounds like a great twist on this. Thanks for the idea.

Joyce said...

This is a great one in the hot summer when I can make the bacon in the morning and chop and mix. Then I can come home from the beach and serve this. I love healthy and quick in the summer months.
Joyce

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

This looks really yummy! I need to keep this recipe in mind! Susan

Anonymous said...

This is one of my favorite dishes at Sweet Tomatoe. I made it yesterday for a family function. It tasted great. Thank you for posting it!

Anonymous said...

I tried this salad when I was in Phx last week and am now home in Las Vegas where I knew I wanted to
find the recipe. It is Delicious, thanx for posting it!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this recipe. I purchased a prepackaged salad kit from Sweet Tomatoes/Souplantation. I was so good I wanted to make it on my own.