Curried Cauliflower Broccoli Salad

I’m always looking to add to my repertoire of salads. Not only are they good for you, they enhance your meal with a note of brightness and light up your mouth.

I am a big fan of fresh cauliflower and broccoli, they deliver a combo punch of crunch and tenderness when cooked properly. It’s important not to overcook them since this will cause a smell of sulfur which is unpleasant. I find that zapping it after being thoroughly washed and straining through a colander and leaving the extra water clinging to the broccoli and cauliflower winds up steaming them in the microwave and I do it on full strength for about 10 minutes for a big head of cauliflower and two small ones of broccoli in one bowl.

It gets this crunchy yet tender texture. I cannot like the totally uncooked version which I find has a raw and less pleasant taste.

So, take your beautiful fresh broccoli and cauliflower and wash well.

Aren’t they beautiful? So much so, I’m always tempted not to cook them at all, but both the taste and I feel the texture are improved by the light steaming. You can do this in a pan of salted boiling water on the stove even though the microwave is so easy but keep an eye not to overcook them.

Once they’ve cooked to tender/crunchiness, set aside in a bowl.

All you need to do now is to mix up the dressing and thoroughly toss together and then let sit in the fridge for the flavors to meld and intensify.

You are mixing mayonnaise, mustard, curry powder, salt and a bit of pepper, chopped onion and finally, dried cranberries. That’s the whole thing. Toss well to coat the cooked broccoli and cauliflower. Do let sit to let flavors mingle, it improves greatly with letting it “marinate”.

Pair this with your favorite lunch or dinner, or just eat on a bed of lettuce. A nice bang in your mouth from the curry. Definitely taste before serving and adjust seasoning.

Curried Cauliflower Broccoli Salad1

1 nice head of cauliflower, well washed and cleaned
1 nice head of broccoli (or two small ones) , well washed and cleaned

Dressing ingredients:

1/2 a cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons whole grain or deli mustard
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon curry powder 
1/4 teaspoon of ground celery seed (optional)
a nice handful of dried cranberries
1/2-1 teaspoon salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

Take the washed cauliflower and broccoli and break into flowerets, leave behind the tough stems. Don’t try to use them, it’s not worth the effort, the stems never really soften and it’s a waste of your time.

Pop into a microwaveable bowl and let cook/steam with the leftover water from their washing till crunchy/tender about 10 minutes. Bite into one to see that the texture pleases you but don’t overcook them. Set aside.

In a bowl, mix together all the dressing ingredient, including the dried cranberries and toss thoroughly with the cooked cauliflower and broccoli. Let marinate at least an hour in the fridge (longer is better) and taste to adjust seasonings.