If the broccoli & apple don’t get you, I’m guessing the bacon will.
My kids weren’t kids when I wrote this, as they were all teens or older, but they have always been open to new foods or different combinations. Now, as adults, it’s fun to see the foods they cook or the restaurants they find in their cities. So, it’s not shocking that the combination of broccoli and apples was easily accepted.
The original post from July 2017
I feel fortunate to cook for people who aren’t picky eaters, as it seems that many other people are. When I talk with friends and colleagues, discussing last night’s dinner, I’ve had many say, “My family/husband/kids wouldn’t eat that.”
I’m not an eccentric cook. I don’t work with exotic ingredients. I may have a heavier hand with vegetables, but even those are fairly mainstream choices. So, I know when I mentioned that I was making a broccoli and apple salad it would get some raised eyebrows outside my home. Broccoli? And apples? Together? Oh my.
Of course, if you read the title of the recipe, you see that there is a third ingredient- bacon. I’m confident that my family would have eaten just broccoli and apple salad. It’s crisp and fresh with a tasty dressing. However, even to me, the idea of some crumbled bacon made it more intriguing. It would add extra crunch and salt.
To ensure that the bacon retained its crunch factor, I added it as a topping right before serving. No reason to let the bacon sit in the dressing and become semi-soggy. Well, unless you like soggy bacon. (How is that possible?)
For some, I’d assume a more aggressive amount of bacon may be needed. (See above) Eat some broccoli and apple, get a slice or two of bacon. Of course, that defeats the purpose of having salad but to each their own. As long as the salad has a basis of veggies, you’re heading in the right direction.
For those of you who appreciate Broccoli Apple Bacon salad for what it is, here’s the recipe for your next side salad.
Broccoli, Apple, and Bacon Salad
Ingredients
- 4-1/2 cups broccoli florets
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1 Granny Smith apple
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 4 strips cooked bacon diced
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375.
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Toss broccoli florets with olive oil on a rimmed baking sheet, and season with salt and pepper.
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While broccoli roasts, core apple and chop into 1/2-inch cubes, with skin on.
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Combine yogurt lemon juice, and sugar in a small bowl, mixing until well combined.
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Remove broccoli from oven, allow to cool for 5 minutes.
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Chop broccoli into bite-sized pieces, and transfer to a large serving bowl.
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Add diced apple and dressing, and toss to combine.
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Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
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Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
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Just before serving, top salad with diced bacon pieces.
