Recipe: Minced Broccoli Cheese Salad {Makes An Awesome Sandwich Filling or Dip}

Summary: I am always on the look out for a good sandwich filling/dip. Something you can eat on toast or scoop up with crackers of veggie sticks. This started with a gift of a huge bag of organic broccoli! I made this up on the weekend and once Mum tasted it on Monday, she made a double batch to share with my Sister. Both of them love these easy to eat things for work lunches, so it didn’t last long! 

Raw broccoli and onion doesn’t sound appealing as a sandwich filling but trust me it is! Mincing avoids that squeaky texture that raw broccoli can have and the sweetness of the corn and the dressing really pull it together. Just be sure to leave the salad to rest in the fridge for at least three hours before you eat! The mincing releases a lot of volatile compounds in the veggies and the salad may taste bitter until things settle.

Ingredients 

• 400g broccoli, washed & dried
• 1 small red onion, roughly chopped
• 1/2 corn kernels, defrosted
• 100g aged cheddar or Parmesan (Or 2 tblsp nutritional yeast if desired)
• 2 heaped tblsp mayonnaise (vegan if desired)
• 1 tblsp white wine vinegar
• 2 tsp castor sugar
• Black pepper, to taste 
  
  

Instructions 

1. Cut the broccoli stems away from the florets.  Chop the whole stem into chunks and add to the food processor and process until finely chopped. Scrape into a large bowl.
2. Add the florets to the food processor and process until finely chopped. Scrape in the bowl with the rest of the broccoli.
3. Now add the onion to the food processor and process until finely chopped. Scrape in the broccoli bowl.
4. Using the grater attachment, grate the cheese in the food processor. Add the cheese and corn to the broccoli mix.
5. Add the mayo, vinegar, sugar and a few grinds of pepper to a small jug and whisk until smooth. Pour the dressing over the broccoli mix and stir well, to coat.
6. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours before eating. Serve in sandwiches, on toast or as a dip with toasted pita and veggie sticks.