Broccoli Raisin Salad Recipe: No, really, it's very tasty!

When I first saw broccoli raisin salad on a salad bar, I wanted to, well, hurt. I mean, I can get my arms around a broccoli salad with bacon, but a broccoli salad with raisins? Seriously?

This Broccoli Raisin Salad Recipe is by no means as common as coleslaw, but, made with fresh ingredients, it is a great alternative. (I actually blindfolded my kids in order to try this,and even after the blindfold was removed they had no problem cleaning their plates!)

Recipe:

1 lb. Broccoli crowns
12 cups water
4 Tb. Salt

Bring water and salt to a boil. Add the broccoli. Cook for 3 minutes until al dente. Cool.

This seems like a great deal of salt, but this just serves to season the broccoli. In fact, if you are on a diet, stop here as this is a great recipe for broccoli. You can eat it like it is and it's great cold. No added fat. We add the fat below!

• 3/4 cup raisins, plumped in hot water for 15 minutes.
• 3 Tb. diced onion (1/4" dice)
• 3 oz. diced cooked bacon, or bacon bits. (real bacon please)

Dressing:

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• rind of 1 lemon
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• Black pepper

Direction:

1. Mix the dressing ingredients together. Adjust seasoning.
2. Add the broccoli, onions, raisins and bacon together. Toss with dressing.
3. For a great treat, cook the bacon and add the bacon while still hot to the salad and serve!