Broccoli and Bacon Salad

Try this scrumptious salad to add interest to your Spring and Summer meals.  Great for entertaining – serve on its own or as a side dish.

Preparation time

15 minutes

Cooking time

5 minutes

Serves

4 (8 sides) 

Ingredients

1-2 heads fresh Australian Grown broccoli

6 rashers bacon

1 cup grated Cracker Barrel cheddar cheese

1 bunch of spring onions, chopped

250g sunflower seeds

2 mandarins

Olive oil

Iced water (if blanching broccoli)

1/3 cup castor sugar

1 cup mayonnaise

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

Method

• Chop bacon into small pieces and fry in a small amount of olive oil until crisp and golden.  Set aside to cool.
• Trim stems and chop broccoli into ½ - 1 inch florets
• Broccoli can be served raw but, if preferred, broccoli can be blanched (submerge in salted boiling water for 60 seconds, drain in colander, submerge briefly in iced water, drain in colander to dry, allow to cool).
• Combine broccoli, bacon, cheese and sunflower seeds.
• Combine castor sugar, mayonnaise and red wine vinegar and whisk until sugar dissolves.
• Pour dressing over salad, toss well, then add chopped spring onions and mandarin slices.
• Enjoy!