Description
A fresh and healthy broccoli salad featuring a creamy cashew-based dressing, sweet grapes, apples, and crunchy nuts. This easy-to-make, no-cook salad is perfect as a side dish or light meal, combining vibrant textures and natural sweetness without any artificial additives.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 small red onion, chopped into about ¼ cup small pieces
- 1 ½ cups seedless grapes, halved (red grapes recommended)
- 1 apple, chopped into about ½ cup small pieces (Fuji or other flavorful/tart apple)
- ½ cup craisins (or substitute with raisins)
- ½ cup almonds, chopped (optional: roast for 5 minutes at 325°F for extra flavor)
Dressing Ingredients
- ½ cup cashews, soaked for 2 hours or in boiling water for 10 minutes
- 2 medjool dates (or 4 small dates)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp garlic powder (or 1 clove garlic)
- ½ tsp salt and pepper (adjust to taste)
- Water, as needed to achieve creamy consistency
Instructions
- Soak Cashews: If your cashews haven’t been soaked, place them in boiling water and let them soak for 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. This softens them to create a smooth dressing.
- Chop Vegetables and Fruits: Finely chop broccoli into bite-sized pieces, mince the red onion very small (about ¼ cup), halve the seedless grapes, and chop the apple into small pieces (around ½ cup). A tart apple enhances the flavor.
- Prepare Almonds: Chop the almonds; optionally, you can roast them at 325°F for 5 minutes to boost their flavor and crunch.
- Make Cashew Dressing: In a high-speed blender, combine the soaked cashews, medjool dates, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Slowly add water as needed and blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust water quantity to reach desired consistency.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the chopped broccoli, red onion, grapes, apple, craisins, and almonds thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Add Dressing: Drizzle the prepared cashew cream dressing evenly over the salad mixture.
- Mix Salad: Stir and toss the salad well to fully incorporate the creamy dressing with the fruits, veggies, and nuts.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately as a light meal or side dish alongside your favorite main course.
Notes
- Soaking cashews is essential for a smooth and creamy dressing; use boiling water soaking for a quick method if short on time.
- Roasting almonds adds extra crunch and flavor but is optional based on preference.
- Adjust salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 1 day; the dressing may thicken—add a splash of water before serving if needed.
- Feel free to substitute craisins with raisins if desired.