Broccoli Salad with Bacon & Dried Cranberries

A light, crunchy and slightly sweet salad with fresh broccoli florets, sweet dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, chopped shallots and salty crumbled bacon in a tangy and creamy mayonnaise dressing, is a soul satisfying salad with almost any meal. Quick and easy to prepare, this delicious Broccoli Salad is best when chilled for about an hour before serving, allowing all of the fabulous flavours to mingle before spooning it out lovingly into a large bowl, for all to share.

Broccoli Salad with Bacon & Dried Cranberries
Serves 8
Recipe courtesy of Rodney; photo: Leigh Anne Wilkes

1 head fresh broccoli
1 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
1/2 red onion or shallots, finely diced
8 strips of bacon, cooked and crispy

1/2 cup red seedless grapes, halved - optional

Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup maple syrup or white sugar

Break the head of broccoli into small bite size florets, and place in a large bowl along with the sunflower seeds, cranberries or raisins, onion and crumbled bacon. In a small bow, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and maple syrup until smooth. Pour over the broccoli mixture, tossing to combine. Cover with cling film and chill for at least an hour. Toss again before serving, either chilled or at room temperature.