Why do you blanch broccoli for salad?

The short cooking time brings out the natural colors in the fruit or vegetable before they can turn a displeasing color (because no one wants to eat ugly broccoli!). By stopping the cooking process, the color-changing enzymes are deactivated and the vegetable maintains its vibrant color.

Is Walnut Salad good for you?

Nuts provide a host of health benefits, including lowering cholesterol levels, reducing risk for heart disease and stroke, better weight control, and lower insulin needs for people with diabetes . This nutty salad is chock full of vegetables and complementary flavors.

What happens if you don't blanch broccoli?

You may find that frozen broccoli that hasn't been blanched doesn't have as good of a taste or texture in recipes . However, it's usually fine in soups and stews, especially blended soups where it's not as crucial to have florets with a specific texture.

Can broccoli be eaten raw as in a salad?

Broccoli can be enjoyed raw with little preparation. Florets can be incorporated into salads , added to a veggie platter, or enjoyed dipped in various dipping sauces and dressings.

Is there a downside to eating walnuts?

Excessive consumption of walnuts may cause diarrhea, bloating, stomach pain or kidney stones . Due to the phytic acid they contain, too many walnuts may also inhibit the absorption of dietary iron, calcium and zinc. Recommendation: One ounce (10-14) English walnut halves per day.

Are walnuts healthier toasted or raw?

– Raw nuts contain natural enzymes that can aid digestion. “nu*ts such as walnuts and pecans can be enjoyed raw to derive their full nutritional benefits . The heat from roasting can compromise the omega-3 fatty acids in these nuts, which are integral for heart health and brain function,” added Sisodia.

What does eating walnuts everyday do to your body?

Walnuts are a great source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that is important for reducing inflammation . In fact, it is the only nut significantly high in these omega-3 fatty acids. Their anti-inflammatory compounds may reduce the risk of heart disease.

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 cleans the surfaces of fruits and vegetables to remove dirt and organisms and can also reduce bitterness . It brightens the color of certain vegetables, especially broccoli and other green veggies.

Should you blanch broccoli before eating?

Then you can sauté it for stir-fries, add it to pasta salads, or pile it on your next vegetable platter. Blanched broccoli is an easy, healthy ace to keep up your sleeve . Blanching is a cooking process that removes the harsh, bitter taste of raw broccoli while setting its bright green color.

Do you have to blanch broccoli before eating?

It is so easy and delicious because it preserves SO much flavor and settles the raw, bitter taste. Blanching broccoli ensures that your broccoli is nicely cooked but also still has a nice crunch to it . It goes well with just about anything! This 10 minutes side dish is the perfect addition to any weeknight meal.

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.

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

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Salads

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 to 8 servings

Calories: 134kcal

Author: Julia

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

More Delicious Recipes To Bring to Any Gathering:

Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes from Sarcastic Cooking
Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake with Lemon Drizzle from Greens & Chocolate
Strawberry Cinnamon Twist Knots from A Kitchen Addiction
Lemon Shortbread with Salted Chocolate Drizzle from The Lemon Bowl
Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream from A Zesty Bite
Blackberry and Mango Curd Pie from Joanne Eats Well With Others
Super Simple Sugar Cookies from Espresso and Cream
Raspberry Acai Frozen Margarita from Nutmeg Nanny
Berry Coconut Frozen Yogurt from Well Plated
Pretty in Pink Buttercream Cups from Keep it Sweet Desserts
Neapolitan Baked Doughnuts from The Curious Plate
No-Bake Rhubarb Cheesecake Parfait Cups from Hungry Girl Por Vida
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp from A Cedar Spoon
Freckled Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade from Take a Megabite
Vanilla Anise Cupcakes from A Classic Twist
Mini Blackberry Hazelnut Meringue Cakes from Stephie Cooks