Raw Broccoli Salad

One of our favorite family foods for special occasions is broccoli salad.  While the original recipe has a fair amount of sugar and bacon, the basic ingredients in the recipe are vegetables, raisins and nuts.  I have tried several adaptations that my family really enjoys and so I thought I would share them with all of you.

Broccoli is loaded with health benefits, such as omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamins C, K, A and others.  It is alkalizing, cholesterol reducing, detoxifying, antioxidant and more.
The World's Healthiest Foods (www.whfoods.com) had this to say about broccoli:


"It's no coincidence that more than 300 research studies on broccoli have converged in one unique area of health science—the development of cancer—and its relationship to three metabolic problems in the body. Those three problems are (1) chronic inflammation (2) oxidative stress, and (3) inadequate detoxification."

So what are you waiting for?  Start chopping!

Broccoli Salad with variations
1 large head broccoli, cut into small pieces (I use the tender portions of the stems too)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup pine nuts or sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raisins 
2 cups Quick mayonnaise (see below)
1 Tbsp organic, blue agave

Mix vegetables in a large bowl.  Mix mayonnaise with agave and add to vegetables.  Let sit for one hour to let flavors blend.  Serve chilled.

Quick Mayonnaise *

¾ cup almond milk

2 Tbsp avocado

1 ½ Tbsp apple cider vinegar

¾ tsp sea salt

¾ cup virgin olive oil

Put almond milk, avocado, vinegar, and salt in a blender.  Blend until combined.

With the blender running, slowly drizzle the oil through the hole in the top and blend until smooth.  Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

You can use this recipe with the Waldorf Salad from the 9/16/13 post too.  
*Above recipes from Raw Food for Everyone by Alissa Cohen.com

Have fun experimenting with this recipe.  You really can't go wrong. Try walnuts, sliced almonds, cashews, chopped dates or apples, grated carrot or other options.  Really, there are a hundred variations that you can try.  

Other dressings I have tried for this include a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice; an avocado smashed and mixed with some olive oil and lemon.  

Do you have a variation of this recipe that you can share?  Let me know what you've enjoyed.