Friday, June 29, 2012

You Can Thank My Mom

Here's the recipe for the broccoli salad I mentioned in my last post that a couple of you said you were interested in having. I got it from my mom many long years ago and make it often when I can get my hands on fresh broccoli.

BROCCOLI-RAISIN SALAD

2 large stalks broccoli, wash and use tender flowerettes only
10 strips bacon, fried and crumbled
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup slivered almonds

Dressing:

2/3 cup Miracle Whip
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons vinegar

Put first four ingredients in a bowl. Mix together the dressing ingredients and pour over salad and toss. Is best made the night before serving or at least 3-4 hours ahead of time.

Okay, now I'll tell you how I deviate from the recipe and I'm sure you can, too, and still get a yummy-good salad to serve.

I use thinly sliced pieces of the broccoli stalks along with the flowerettes. (Just can't waste those nutritious, crunchy morsels.)

TEN strips of bacon?? Gee, that has always seemed like a lot to me. I keep fried and diced bacon in a container in my freezer for convenience and use some of it in recipes like this. How much do I toss in this salad? Oh, gosh. Less than a quarter cup probably. You, obviously, can put in as much or as little as your little heart desires.

My mom always said Miracle Whip made the best tasting dressing which I've used, but I've also used mayonnaise, both store bought and homemade.

Sometimes I don't have as much broccoli as other times. Because of this I drizzle some of the prepared dressing over the other ingredients and mix it up. If that doesn't make it moist enough, I add more. What I'm trying to say is you may not want to use the whole amount of dressing that the recipe makes. Use your own judgment on this.

I made my salad yesterday morning for last night's dinner. The above picture is what we had leftover to eat with our scrambled eggs this morning.

My mom was a good cook and I have many recipes on cards in her handwriting which I treasure. Thanks for this one, Mom!

20 comments:

odiie said...

My honey says," the more bacon the better". He loves this salad. Yours looks very ummy.

Susan said...

Mine is very similar, but I use half Greek yogurt (or drained reg) and half mayo, and dried cranberries (cause I love them) and sunflower seeds. I could eat this every day! I may just have to go out and find me some broccoli now...

I have recipe cards that are handwritten by my mom. I just treasture them and, even though I can't/won't eat half of them, I will always keep the cards.

Mama Pea said...

odiie - Yep, I think most everyone has some version of this salad. If I'm going to chow down on bacon, I'd like it with pancakes or waffles or eggs!

Mama Pea said...

Susan - That's funny 'cause I almost used dried cranberries instead of the raisins when I made this yesterday. And sunflower seeds would be a great substitute if one didn't have the almonds.

I've only kept the recipes of my mom's that I make, but my daughter has all of my mom's other ones. She's the family historian and keeps ALL kinds of things pertaining to family.

Dawn said...

Mine has broccoli slaw, shredded cheddar cheese and purple onion added to your recipe. I have also been know to use pecans instead of almonds. Mostly because I have pecan trees in my yard. This is one of our favorite summer salads.

Mama Pea said...

Dawn - Ya know, I almost threw some chopped up scallions in mine yesterday but then didn't. The grated cheese does sound good, too. You have pecan trees? Lucky, lucky girl!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I sometimes use craisins in the salad - yummm.

judy said...

can't wait to try this ,looks yummy

Katidids said...

Sounds yummy, perfect for a hot summer day...like today

Chicken Mama said...

Okay, this is your bratty kid speaking.

In a word?

YUCK!!!!!!

This rates right up there with wilted lettuce salad.

(Yes, I was force-fed BOTH of these as a child, thank you very much.)

Mom is and Grandma was a FANTASTIC cook, but there are some recipes NO ONE should have in their arsenal.

Amen.

Mama Pea said...

JoAnn - I think I'm going to try the craisins next time I make this. Thanks for the suggestion!

Mama Pea said...

judy - It IS yummy! :o)

Mama Pea said...

Katidids - Aren't we ALL having unbelievably HOT days? Cold food is perfect for these days!

Mama Pea said...

Chicken Mama - Dear Readers, pay absolutely no attention to the above comment. I dropped her on her head once as a baby and her taste buds were affected. She has no taste (in the truest sense of the word) when it comes to certain foods.

Leigh said...

That looks so good and I haven't even had breakfast yet. My Gramma used to only use Miracle Whip too. She never even bought mayonnaise as I recall.

Erin said...

I'm not big on mayo or Miracle Whip but of course after looking at that photo I would definitely try it, it looks yummy and fresh!

Mama Pea said...

Leigh - Same with my mom. I'm betting at that time, Miracle Whip was probably cheaper than mayonnaise.

Mama Pea said...

Erin - Try it! You might like it. :o) I think kids might like the crunch of the fresh broccoli if they have an aversion to cooked broccoli.

Lisa said...

I love this dish! I make an old 1980's Southern Living magazine's version that is very similar to yours. Loved hearing not only you make yours, but also your reader's versions. We use Duke's Mayonnaise here, well, because Duke's (a southern brand) is our favorite 'flavor' of mayo. Isn't it interesting how we get attached to certain flavors/brands of foods?! Thank you for sharing this and I think I need to find some fresh broccoli soon.

Mama Pea said...

Lisa - I think everyone has their own version of this good salad. Duke's Mayonnaise? I've never heard of it, but as you say, we do have our regional brands!