Broccoli Salad

The dog days of summer have descended on Texas. We've been at or above a hundred for several days now. Perfect weather to stay inside and write. And when it's hot like this, I'm always up for some sort of salad. But one of my favorites, whether it's a side dish or a main course, is broccoli salad. The crunch of the broccoli, the sweetness of the dressing and saltiness of bacon come together in a perfectly satisfying medley.

Start by chopping two large heads of broccoli into bite-sized florets. Rinse and put into a large bowl.

Add half a pound of bacon that's has been cooked and chopped, one small red onion, chopped, 1/2 to 3/4 dried cranberries or raisins and 3/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds.

Toss everything together and set aside while you make the dressing.

Whisk together 1 cup mayonaise (I used light), 1/8 tsp stevia extract OR 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar until smooth. Then pour over broccoli mixture and stir to coat.

I cannot tell you how much I love this dish. And it makes a big batch, so we can have it as a side for dinner and then there's plenty for me to have for lunch the next couple of days. I can't think of a more delightful way to eat broccoli. I've even been known to eat it for a snack.

You know, for months now we've had deer coming up behind our house to feed in the morning and again at night. It began with two pregnant does. Then we got one or two more. Then they started bringing their babies around. One of the mamas took in the orphaned twins... And when I looked out the other morning, this is what I saw.

There are eight in this photo. About ten minutes later, there were eleven of them. I love to just sit and watch them. At least until the drama starts. Someone annoys someone else and the fight is on until one or more ends up ostracized. 

Oh, and did I mention I have a book releasing a week from today?

Reunited in the Rockies is book four in my Rocky Mountain Heroes series. And you can read a free preview of the book here. 

Now it's your turn. Are you feeling the summer heat? What are some of your favorite quick meals when the heat is on?

Three time Carol Award finalist Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she's not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more a mindyobenhaus.com.