How to Make a Broccoli and Walnut Salad

Broccoli is one of the most versatile cruciferous vegetables around. Mild and sweet with bushy florets, it's fun to eat too. Broccoli's got plenty of vitamins A, C and K as well as cancer-fighting phytochemicals. It also has folic acid and fiber that's necessary to good health. Make this broccoli and walnut salad as a healthy substitute for potato or pasta salad in the summer.

Things You'll Need

• 5 cups of broccoli
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• 1 tsp. dried dill
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1 cup of warm water
• 1 cup of red grapes
• 1/2 cup of walnuts

Instructions

1. Chop the broccoli into large pieces, including the stem. Steam until slightly tender. Set aside to cool.

2. Soak the golden raisins in warm water and set aside.

3. Mix the lemon juice, mayonnaise and sour cream until smooth. Add the dill, salt and pepper to taste. Store in the refrigerator.

4. Cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces and place in a large salad bowl.

5. Add the red grapes to the broccoli.

6. Chop the walnuts with a knife or nut chopper and add to salad.

7. Drain the water from the raisins and add them to the salad.

8. Remove dressing from refrigerator and stir into salad. Be careful not to crush the broccoli. Let the flavors set for at least a day.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute apple cider vinegar for the lemon juice.

• Make a slit in the broccoli stems so they'll cook faster.

• Steaming broccoli in larger pieces keeps them from turning into mush.

• Walnuts are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid, so don't be afraid to use the full amount indicated.

• Don't buy broccoli with yellow florets as that means it's lost many of its nutrients.

Resources

• Read about the health benefits of broccoli and walnuts.