Sweet and Tangy Apple Broccoli Salad
Creating a Delicious Apple Broccoli Salad with Great Food Pairings
You’ve probably heard the term ‘food synergy’ or ‘food pairing,’ right? It refers to foods that enhance each other’s nutritional benefits when eaten together. Apples and broccoli are a perfect example of such a harmonious pairing. Adding cabbage to this combination is said to be even better! Let’s make a visually appealing and incredibly tasty apple broccoli salad that not only boasts excellent food synergy but also delights the palate. It’s wonderful as a brunch item or a healthy snack.
Salad Ingredients
- 1 fresh apple
- 1/4 head of broccoli
- 1 handful of blueberries
- 1 handful of nuts
Salad Dressing Ingredients
- 4 slices of pineapple (canned or fresh)
- 1 small piece of onion
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar
- A pinch of salt (to taste)
- 4 slices of pineapple (canned or fresh)
- 1 small piece of onion
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar
- A pinch of salt (to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the salad ingredients. Wash the vegetables thoroughly under running water and pat the fruits dry.
Step 2
Boil a generous amount of water in a pot. Once boiling, add the prepared broccoli florets and blanch for about 10 seconds. It’s important to keep the broccoli crisp.
Step 3
Immediately remove the blanched broccoli and plunge it into ice-cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Drain the broccoli thoroughly in a colander.
Step 4
Wash the apple, cut it in half, then cut each half into three wedges passing through the core. Remove the core section, and then slice the apple into approximately 5mm thick pieces.
Step 5
Place the sliced apple and the drained broccoli into a large mixing bowl.
Step 6
Add the blueberries and the nuts to the bowl. These additions will contribute delightful texture and flavor complexity.
Step 7
For the dressing, simply combine all the dressing ingredients – pineapple, onion, maple syrup, lemon juice, white balsamic vinegar (or white wine vinegar), and salt – in a blender. Blend until smooth for an effortless and delicious dressing.
Step 8
Taste the dressing and adjust the flavor balance. If it needs more sweetness, add a little more maple syrup. If it needs more tanginess, add more lemon juice.
Step 9
Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together, being careful not to mash the apple or broccoli, ensuring all components are evenly coated.
Step 10
Transfer the beautifully prepared apple broccoli salad to a serving plate. You’ll have a refreshing, sweet, and tangy salad that’s perfect for any occasion!
