This isn’t about my New Year’s Resolution.
This salad has nothing to do with the obscene amount of lasagna I ate this December. I embrace that lasagna, every bit.
This big bowl of apples and broccoli are simply a testament to my brain-tummy. This is what it asked for. And I thank it (my brian-tummy)… because usually it asks for cinnamon rolls and root beer and I have to convince it otherwise. My brain-tummy is in a constant passive-aggressive fight with my thigh-tummies.
In other news: I can’t believe the internet continues to let me have a blog.
In ultra-other news: Yes… this is still happening.
If we were to boil down to the essence of what I’m trying to say, it would be this: I made a salad. It was really delicious. I ate the whole thing. It was healthy and made me feels strong and capable… like my college education. I’ll stop saying brian-tummy starting exactly right now.
This salad has such romantic beginnings.
While the recipe below details numerical measurements, a big bowl and a few large spoons will suit you just fine.
One giant spoon of whole grain mustard meets a slightly less giant spoon of raw honey. A good dose of olive oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper.
Stir with spirit.
The rest of the salad ingredients will be added to this large bowl. Why is that romantic to me? Something about a large bowl with two spoons makes me sentimental.
Apples, arugula, and sunflower seeds are usually strangers in my kitchen until I force their friendship.
Broccoli has no idea what it’s doing at this salad party…
This recipe uses both broccoli florets and the stems. All broccoli bits are steamed until juuuuust a bit of their raw crunch is cooked out.
This unlikely cast of characters is absolutely delicious. This salad is hearty and filling, while still feeling light and fun. I also love that this salad is durable, making it a really great salad to take to work for lunch.
If you’re anything like me, you have a random assortment of weird kitchen items in your purse, a yogurt spoon, a pound of butter, and a jar of this salad.
This salad is sweet and savory. It’s the homemade Honey Mustard Dressing. It brings everything together, and sets it all apart. It’s salad, and so it all makes sense.
Honey Mustard, Broccoli & Apple Salad
serves 2 large or 4 small portions
adapted from The Sprouted Kitchen
For the Salad:
2 bunches (about 1 pound total) broccoli with stems
1/2 cup roasted and salted sunflower seeds (seeds not seeds in shells)
1 Fuji apple, cored and sliced thin
heaping 1/4 cup arugula leaves (or you can use finely chopped parsley instead)
For the Dressing:
3 tablespoons whole grain mustard
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar (white wine, apple cider, red wine, or coconut)
salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
Place a large pot with about 1 inch of water over a medium-high heat. Insert a steamer into the pot and bring the water to a low boil.
Cut broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice broccoli stems and add both the florets and the stems to the steamer. Cover and allow to steam for about 2 minutes, or until the hard raw crunch is cooked from the broccoli. Remove from the steamer and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine mustard, honey, olive oil, vinegar, and a few pinches of salt and better. Whisk vigorously until thoroughly combined. Add broccoli, sunflower seeds, sliced apple, and arugula to the bowl. Toss until every piece is coated in dressing.
Chill for about 30 minutes. Serve cold. This salad is best served the day it is made.
Sophie
I never would have thought about putting broccoli in a salad, especially with the apple, but I think I will give it a try after seeing it here.
It sounds delicious!
x
Heather {ModernMealsforTwo}
Haha! You crack me up! If the Internet stopped letting you have a blog it would be a very sad day.
Sarah @ The Cyclist's Wife
Sounds like your brain tummy did what mine finally did, it said “STOP eating sweets you crazy lady!”. Last night I fed it a salad and it was happy.
Chloe Moon
Looks delicious, sounds delicious, and perfect for this new year!!! I have to make this!! =)
Ergo – Blog
TARTESANDCARO
want to test this pure healthy salad
Jen
Sometimes typos are the best part of a post — something about “brian-tummy” is making me giggle out loud.
This salad looks fabulous, and is going on the menu for the weekend!
Caz
Congrats to your brain tummy, sounds like it came up with a pretty smart combination of flavours. I must give this a try!
Julie Kate
This post is great and looks yummy. Just the laugh I needed on this never ending day of work! I will make this for lunch tomorrow. In other news: I’m glad the internet continues to let you have a blog.
Monica P
Awesome salad! I am so .. sick of lettuce salads .. lol. This will be a welcomed change !!
Monica.
Sydney
I’ve never thought of combining apples and broccoli in a salad–interesting combination.
Packing Rainbows
Yay! Broccoli got invited to the party – super weird – just weird enough that I must try it :)
Margherita
Never had broccoli and apple in a salad before. Sounds like a great pairing!
Kendra
YUMM!! My tummy brain thanks you as all it wants to eat is salad right now (after scarfing down an unmentionable number of cookies and other assorted baked goods . – including Tracy Shutterbean’s Apple Pecan Sticky Buns (OMGGGgggggggggggggggg) – over the holidays).
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious
Exactly how food should be, simple ingredients- in a bowl- marriage to some awesome flavor- toss n’ shake- eat!
Eva from Notyourmamasdinner
My brain-tummy has only one thing to say to yours: High-five!