It’s easy for me to include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in our daily diet…the trick is serving them in appetizing ways that don’t add lots of extra calories. I love broccoli and cauliflower when they are topped with a rich cheese sauce and buttered breadcrumbs. Fresh fruit is wonderful, especially when there is a scoop of French vanilla ice cream sitting underneath it. Raw veggies make a healthy snack but the first thing everybody reaches for is a bowl of ranch dressing to dip them in.
CHINESE STYLE BROCCOLI SALAD is helping me mend my ways and be more than happy eating my veggies. It’s simple dressing is full of flavor and an artificial sweetener could replace the sugar if you really want to get serious about it. The first time I cooked the broccoli I cooked it longer the the 1 minute specified in the recipe and it was too much. The crunch is part of the appeal of the salad so set the timer and get it right into the ice bath. This recipe is so good I don’t even miss the calories I would consume if I had that ranch dressing. A generous serving of salad and a grilled chicken breast…and a little glass of white wine… is a very satisfying meal. I think next time I’ll add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick. Otherwise, it’s perfect.
- 1-1/2 pounds fresh broccoli
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1-1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Separate broccoli into bite-size florets.
- Bring 2-1/2 quarts water, 2 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon salt to boil. Add broccoli and boil quickly for 1 minute. Plunge broccoli into ice water to set color and stop cooking. Drain well.
- In a small bowl combine remaining ingredients. Pour over broccoli and gently toss. This salad can be served hot or cold.
Oh, this looks marvelous, Cathy! I wouldn’t miss the Ranch dressing one bit!!! I think a pinch of red pepper flakes is an excellent idea…hope to try this soon 🙂
Liz recently posted..Chicken Liver Gâteaux with Pickled Onions…#FrenchFridayswithDorie
Oh Cathy, this is so great. I just bought a bag of broccoli yesterday. Yup, we are having this salad. It really is time to get right with the diet. Thanks. Susan
Susan recently posted..Roasted Broccoli
This is perfect Cathy, simply perfect! I love broccoli but get tired of it plain-steamed and even the roasted version seems to be quite calorie laden. Thanks, just what we needed!
The Café Sucré Farine recently posted..Arugula & Chicken Salad w/ Blackberries, Sweet Curried Pecans & Honey-Grapefruit Vinaigrette
This looks so healthy and fresh Cathy. We’re crazy about anything with sesame seed oil.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Jacques Pepin’s Pork Sausage Rolls with Potatoes, Onions & Tomatoes
Me too, Sam. I love the nutty flavor it adds to dishes.
Cathy recently posted..Chinese Style Broccoli Salad
I love broccoli salads and yours sounds great, especially finished with the sesame seeds.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Spaghetti Squash With Chicken Meatballs And Basil Tomato Sauce
I’m on an Asian flavor kick. This looks simple and perfect, Cathy. My husband will love you for sharing this recipe. xoxo
I hope you both like this recipe, Debby. Isn’t it great that it has so few calories?
Cathy recently posted..Chinese Style Broccoli Salad
I do like broccoli salad, but not cooked! I am not a veggie eater, love cauli, not brocc. Go figure!
Enjoy the weekend, Cathy, and your birthday this week!
Kathleen recently posted..Mid-January Red and Black~ Let’s Dish!
Hi Kathleen – It just cooks for a minute, barely enough to make a difference. It is still nice and crispy crunchy. Thanks for the good wishes.
Cathy recently posted..Chinese Style Broccoli Salad
i’m always looking for ways to spice up regular veggies. this looks perfect!
teresa recently posted..Greek Yogurt Blueberry Banana Bread
I’m so happy that both my husband and I enjoy broccoli. It’s so good for you. The Chinese-style dressing sounds delicious!
Susan recently posted..Angie’s German Hard Rolls
Now this does sound good. I sorta like broccoli, but with the salad fix’ns I think I would really like it.
Marilyn recently posted..Tea Time Play
Simple yet very delicious!
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I am the only one in the house who eats broccoli and I love it. And after not cooking or eating it for ages, I just bought a big bag of frozen. I bet I could cut this dressing recipe down for one. I love the asian flavors which are great with broccoli as well as fresh and light.
The dressing looks delicious. I am trying to eat more veggies too, I am definitely pinning this!
Rhonda recently posted..Spinach Frittata with Salad
Sounds like a nice dressing – bet it would be good over cauliflower, too.
Karen recently posted..Peas and Carrots Soup
I so agree about finding new ways to get fresh vegetables into our daily diet, Cathy. This sounds delicious!
Barbara recently posted..Fresh Tomato Soup
Ooh this sounds so crunchy and perfect for a new salad for one of my favorite veggies!!
Kitty recently posted..Cranberry Nut Bread
Love the flavors in this dish Cathy!
Pam recently posted..At least…
Cathy, I enjoy broccoli in anyway and yours looks wonderful. Btw, you’re one of the winner of the NuNaturals giveaway. Congrats! & have a great day.
Kristy
I always need new ways to serve veggies to entice the meat-a-tarian to eat something green.