A Tasty Twist: Blue Cheese Broccoli Salad Recipe
In the realm of salads, broccoli often takes a backseat to more popular greens like lettuce or spinach. However, this Blue Cheese Broccoli Salad recipe is about to change your perception entirely. Bursting with crunch, creaminess, and tanginess, this salad is a delightful symphony of flavors and textures. It is a perfect balance of healthy greens, hearty nuts, zesty cranberries, and rich blue cheese. Dive into this deliciously healthy dish that will leave you satisfied and craving more.
Ingredients:
– 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
– 1/2 cup of blue cheese, crumbled
– 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
– 1/4 cup of walnuts, chopped
– 1/4 cup of red onion, thinly sliced
– 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
– 1/4 cup of buttermilk
– 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar
– 1 tablespoon of honey
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Broccoli: Cut the broccoli into small florets and blanch them in boiling salted water for about 2 minutes until they are bright green but still crispy. Immediately transfer the broccoli to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Drain and pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, white wine vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
3. Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched broccoli, crumbled blue cheese, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, and sliced red onion. Gently toss the ingredients together to mix.
4. Add the Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated in the creamy dressing.
5. Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Just before serving, give the salad a final toss and adjust the seasoning if needed.
6. Garnish and Enjoy: Optional garnishes like additional crumbled blue cheese, chopped walnuts, or fresh parsley can be added before serving. Serve the Blue Cheese Broccoli Salad as a side dish or a light meal on its own.
Whether you are looking for a refreshing side dish for a summer barbecue or a nutritious lunch option, this Blue Cheese Broccoli Salad is a versatile and crowd-pleasing recipe. The crispness of the broccoli, the creaminess of the blue cheese dressing, the sweetness of the cranberries, and the crunch of the walnuts create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will make this salad a go-to favorite in your recipe collection. Try it out and elevate your salad game with this deliciously healthy dish.