Ingredients:

  • 4 cups Broccoli Florets, finely chopped
  • 6 rashers Bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup Red Onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup Smoked Almonds, coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup Sunflower Seeds
  • 1/3 cup Dried Cranberries
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise (Full-Fat)
  • 2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Broccoli: Wash and dry the broccoli thoroughly. Using a sharp knife or a pulse setting on a food processor, finely chop the florets until they resemble coarse grains of rice. Peel the woody exterior of the stems and dice the tender inner stems finely. Place all broccoli in the large mixing bowl.
  2. Cook the Bacon: Cook the bacon in a skillet until perfectly crisp. Drain well on paper towels to remove excess fat. Once cooled, crumble the bacon and set aside.
  3. Prepare Remaining Ingredients: Finely dice the red onion. Coarsely chop the smoked almonds. Shred the cheese if not pre-shredded. Add the diced onion, almonds, cheese, sunflower seeds, and cranberries to the bowl with the broccoli.
  4. Whisk the Dressing Base: In the small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and granulated sugar. Whisk vigorously until the sugar is dissolved and the dressing is smooth and homogenous.
  5. Season the Dressing: Taste the dressing. Add the sea salt and black pepper. Adjust the sugar or vinegar balance as needed—you’re looking for a sharp, sweet-tart profile.
  6. Combine and Dress: Pour about three-quarters of the dressing over the broccoli mixture. Reserve the remaining dressing. Fold the mixture gently with a spatula until the ingredients are evenly coated.
  7. Add Bacon and Chill: Fold in the crumbled bacon last. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours. The chilling time allows the acidity of the dressing to slightly pickle and tenderize the raw broccoli.
  8. Final Check: Just before serving, give the salad a final stir. If it looks dry, add the reserved dressing until the desired creaminess is achieved. Serve immediately.