Description
Crunchy broccoli and apple crunch salad balances crisp textures with tangy dressing and nutty undertones. Fresh ingredients combine effortlessly, inviting you to savor each refreshing bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 apple, diced
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey (use maple syrup for vegan)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) lemon zest
- ½ tsp (2.5 g) salt
- ¼ tsp (1.25 g) freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Broccoli Preparation: Dissect broccoli into delicate florets, meticulously cleansing under cool water to remove potential impurities.
- Blanching Process: Ignite a medium pot with salted water at medium-high heat, submerge broccoli clusters, and cook for precisely 2 minutes, maintaining optimal texture.
- Cooling Technique: Instantaneously transfer broccoli from boiling water to an ice bath, halting cooking progression and preserving vibrant color and crisp structure.
- Dressing Creation: Vigorously whisk dressing ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl until achieving a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
- Ingredient Integration: Gently fold chopped apples, cranberries, red onions, carrots, and pecans into the dressing, ensuring comprehensive coating.
- Broccoli Incorporation: Delicately introduce blanched broccoli florets to the dressed mixture, tossing with minimal manipulation to preserve ingredient integrity.
- Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate the salad for 1-2 hours, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop a nuanced, refreshing profile before serving chilled.
Notes
- Blanch with Precision: Cook broccoli exactly 2 minutes to maintain vibrant color, crisp texture, and maximize nutrient retention without losing vegetable’s natural crunch.
- Rapid Cooling Technique: Immediately transfer broccoli to ice water bath stops cooking process, preserves bright green color, and prevents overcooking, ensuring perfect al dente texture.
- Flavor Melding Magic: Refrigerate salad 1-2 hours before serving to allow ingredients to harmonize, intensify taste profiles, and develop deeper, more complex flavor combinations.
- Texture Balance Strategy: Combine crunchy pecans, crisp apples, and blanched broccoli to create multi-dimensional mouthfeel that keeps each bite interesting and enjoyable.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 124
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg