Broccoli and Tomato Salad - Sweet grape tomatoes, red onion, broccoli, cheese and sunflower seeds drizzled with a tangy raspberry vinaigrette.
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I am ALL about picnic and potluck food this month! We've been entertaining a lot this summer already and although I have several go-to recipes like this pea salad (which I make A LOT), I always like to do my best to switch things up a bit and keep my menus exciting and fresh.
I tend to make a lot of cold salads with broccoli. Two of my favorites are this cranberry almond salad and this cheddar broccoli salad. Yum! That being said, the broccoli and tomato salad recipe I'm sharing today is right up there alongside the others. Besides being flavorful and delicious, it's really quite pretty and colorful, too!
I had some sweet grape tomatoes that I needed to use up, and I knew that this salad was where they belonged!
It takes just minutes to get all of the ingredients into a bowl. Then, all you do is mix. . .and wait. This is the most difficult part. You really do want to let the ingredients meld in the fridge for at least five hours. Overnight is always best.
I don't know about you, but I love salads like this. If I can throw something together the night before, so it's ready the next day when I need it, I'm all over it. And I'm all about a little prep work the night before to make "party day" a bit less stressful. Amen? Amen.
I feel like people are drawn to this salad because of the color and the freshness. And once they taste it, they're back in line for seconds. I can't wait to hear how you and your guests enjoy this broccoli and tomato salad!
Broccoli & Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- 5 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup grape tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup Colby and Monterey Jack shredded cheese blend
- ½ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons sunflower kernels
- 8 ounces raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- Combine broccoli, tomatoes, cheese, onions and sunflower kernels in a large bowl.
- Add the salad dressing, mustard, sugar and poppy seeds.
- Toss to coat.
- Refrigerate at least 5 hours or overnight.
Notes
- Preparation Timing: For optimal flavor infusion and texture melding, refrigerate the salad for at least 5 hours or overnight before serving. This allows the flavors to develop and the dressing to penetrate the ingredients, resulting in a more delicious and cohesive salad experience.
- Customize Dressing: Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the dressing to your liking by modifying the amount of sugar and mustard used. Start with the specified amounts and taste the dressing before tossing it with the salad ingredients. Add more sugar for a sweeter taste or more mustard for extra tanginess, based on your preference.
- Enhance Texture and Flavor: For added crunch and nuttiness, toast the sunflower kernels before adding them to the salad. Simply heat a dry skillet over medium heat, add the sunflower kernels, and toast for 2-3 minutes until they become golden brown and fragrant. This extra step intensifies their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the salad.
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