Why do you blanch broccoli for salad?

🥄 How to Make Broccoli Salad Blanching keeps the broccoli firm but the taste will be a little less “raw” and it also sets the pretty green color . This is an optional step, but I think it's really worth doing. To blanch the florets, bring a large pan of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 1 minute.

Is Walnut Salad good for you?

Eating walnuts may improve brain health and prevent heart disease and cancer ( 1 ). Walnuts are most often eaten on their own as a snack but can also be added to salads, pastas, breakfast cereals, soups, and baked goods.

What happens if you don't blanch broccoli?

If you don't blanch your broccoli, it will turn color and acquire a bitter taste . You can either stick it in boiling water for three minutes to blanch, or steam it for five minutes, whichever you choose.

Can broccoli be eaten raw as in a salad?

Broccoli can be prepared in numerous ways, including sautéed, steamed, boiled, or roasted, but it can also be served raw in salads or with dips.

What are the benefits of blanching broccoli?

This softens vegetables while locking in their colors so they stay bright and fresh-looking. Blanching is also a wonderful technique to use for certain vegetables — such as broccoli — that are to be used in salads or crudité platters.

Why do you blanch vegetables for salad?

Blanching vegetables is done to soften their texture while maintaining crispness . This creates a better mouthfeel of the vegetables in salads, remove the vegetables' rawness & as a make-ahead element in recipes to save time later.

What does blanching do to broccoli?

Blanching broccoli is a simple process that involves quickly cooking your florets, then immediately chilling them to stop the cooking so the broccoli stays bright green. It's an essential step for freezing the vegetable and it helps the broccoli look and taste its best in everyday recipes .

Do you have to blanch broccoli before eating?

Why do you blanch broccoli before cooking? Blanching is a cooking process that removes the harsh, bitter taste of raw broccoli while setting its bright green color . It also ensures that the broccoli won't be overcooked as it can just be tossed with a finished recipe at the end.

Broccoli Salad Recipe with Honey-Toasted Walnuts (2024)

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Broccoli Salad Recipe with Blueberries, Red Onion, Dried Cranberries and Honey-Toasted Walnuts is a beautiful side dish for any of your gatherings.

You know those dreams you had when you were a kid about showing up to grade school in your underwear?

And no matter how hard you tried to pull your shirt down to cover your forgetfulness, the damage had already been done…because you already showed up…in your underwear?

This is kind of like that.

Only it’s not you, it’s me. And this is not a dream, it’s real. But everyone’s fully clothed, and the underwear’s the broccoli salad recipe. What?

Let’s put the car in R and back up.

Now that I have your attention…

This is not your momma’s broccoli salad recipe. I don’t even know what that means, I just wanted to say it.

Fact is, everyone who has been to a family reunion, picnic, or has spent time with large groups of people (read: everyone) has had broccoli salad. But this one is a little different.

Firsties: blueberries.

Seconds: honey-toasted walnuts.

Recipe Adaptations:

Replace the fresh blueberries with dried blueberries and omit the dried cranberries.
Use raisins instead of dried cranberries.
Swap the walnuts for pecans or almonds.
Play with the portions of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt depending on your preference.
Use pure maple syrup instead of honey.
Add 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Just add cooked bacon!

My cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, is now available! CLICK HERE to check it out. Thank you for your support!

If you make this recipe, please feel free to share a photo and tag @The.Roasted.Root on Instagram!

Here’s the recipe:

Broccoli Salad with Honey-Toasted Walnuts

Broccoli salad with blueberries, honey-toasted walnuts and dried cranberries - an easy, delicious mayo-free broccoli salad recipe

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

6to 8 servings

Ingredients

▢ 2 large crowns broccoli, chopped into florets
▢ ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
▢ 4.5 ounces fresh blueberries
▢ ½ cup dried cranberries
▢ 1/3 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
▢ 3 Tbsp avocado oil mayonnaise
▢ Zest of 1 lemon
▢ 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
▢ 2 tablespoons honey
▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Honey-Toasted Walnuts:

▢ 2/3 cup raw walnut halves
▢ 2 teaspoons olive oil
▢ 1.5 tablespoons honey
▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

To Prepare the Honey Toasted Walnuts:

Add all ingredients for the walnuts to a small skillet and heat over medium. Cook 5 to 8 minutes until mixture is very bubbly and walnuts have caramelized and turned golden-brown. Set aside and allow to cool. Chop the walnuts when cool enough to handle.

To Prepare the Broccoli Salad:

Soak the broccoli in a large water bath for 10 minutes. Remove from the water and pat dry.
Chop the broccoli crowns into small florets, and chop the broccoli stems. Add stems and florets to a large serving bowl.
In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon zest and juice, honey, and salt.
Pour this mixture over the broccoli and stir well to coat all of the broccoli with dressing.
Add the red onion, blueberries, dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts. Toss everything together and serve with your favorite entree.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 6 - Calories: 134kcal - Carbohydrates: 26g - Protein: 3g - Fat: 3g - Fiber: 2g - Sugar: 18g

Course: Salads

Cuisine: American

Keyword: broccoli salad, broccoli salad with blueberries, healthy broccoli salad recipe, healthy side dishes, no mayo broccoli salad, toasted walnuts, vegetarian side dishes

Servings: 6 to 8 servings

Calories: 134kcal

Author: Julia

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Freckled Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade from Take a Megabite
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