Skinny Broccoli Salad

Recipe by The View From the Great Island

Skinny Broccoli Salad is an American potluck classic made healthier, but just as yummy, with a low fat Greek yogurt ranch dressing.

Ingredients

• ½ cup slivered almonds
• 1 head of broccoli
• 6 ounces smoked Gruyere ((or other smoked cheese) cut in tiny cubes )
• ⅓ cup dried cranberries
• ½ red onion (finely chopped)
• skinny ranch dressing
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp buttermilk
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ½ tsp onion salt
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp dried dill
• ¼ tsp celery seed
• ¼ tsp dried thyme
• lots of fresh cracked black pepper
• fried shallot garnish
• 2 shallots ( peeled and sliced into 1/8 inch slices)
• 2 tbsp flour
• vegetable oil for frying

Method

1. Put the almonds in a small skillet and heat, stirring almost constantly, over medium high heat until they are golden brown. Watch them carefully, this will only take a few minutes, and once they start to toast, it goes fast. Set aside to cool.
2. Trim the large stalks off the broccoli and then chop in small pieces. Definitely include the small tender stalks along with the florets. Put in a large salad bowl along with the cheese, cranberries, and onion. Add in the cooled almonds.
3. Make the dressing by whisking together all the ingredients. Taste and make sure you like it, and thin with a little more buttermilk if it is too thick.
4. Toss the salad with enough of the dressing to coat, you may not need all of it. Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving. Garnish with the fried shallots just before serving.
5. To make the fried shallots, heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet. Gently separate the slices into rings. Toss them in the flour and fry until golden. You can test the heat of the oil by dropping one shallot in, it should sizzle on contact. The shallots should turn golden in about 2 minutes. Do this in batches so you don't crowd the shallots, and keep them moving in the oil while they're frying. Drain on paper towels.

View the recipe instructions at The View From the Great Island