It’s been hot in Toronto lately. I usually wouldn’t mind so much, but I do not have air conditioning and the humidity is really getting to me. There is no way I’ll be turning on my stove or my oven for the next week and a half. It’s just too hot. What’s a great way to cool down, besides a dip in a pool or a nice cold shower? A summer salad, that’s what. I’ve explored some various salads through my time here, and this is just another addition. This salad doesn’t have any lettuce though – broccoli is its replacement. Nice crunchy broccoli with a sweet and creamy dressing paired with some dried fruit, nuts and bacon make for a great cooldown side.

Ingredients

6 strips Maple Leaf Bacon, chopped and fried crispy

2 heads Broccoli

¼ cup Mayo

2 tbsp Honey

1 tbsp Cider Vinegar

1 tsp Poppy Seeds

1 tbsp Raisins

1 tbsp Pumpkin seeds

1 tbsp Sunflower seeds

1 tbsp Slivered almonds

Salt and Pepper

Directions

1. Grab your broccoli and carefully dissect the heads into small flourettes. Something bite size, like a salad would be. Use your discretion.

2. To make a lovely dressing, mix together your mayo, honey, cider vinegar, poppy seeds and season with a little bit of salt and pepper. Whisk these all together and set them aside.

3. In a bowl combine your broccoli flourettes, your crispy fried bacon and your mixture of nuts and seeds and dried fruit. You don’t have to use what I’ve listed. They’re just suggestions! Go crazy with stuff here!

4. Toss this all with your dressing and chow down on the patio with a nice refreshing brew!