broccoli

Exactly How Far Will She Go?

July 26, 2010

I wonder myself sometimes.

I bought this formerly lovely broccoli — I don’t know — a week ago? Two? Actually, now that I think about it, Michelle Sandquist bought the broccoli for me when her family came over for dinner last weekend.

Oh dear. I just looked at the calendar and realized it wasn’t last weekend it was the weekend before last. July 9th to be exact.

OK, so the broccoli was 15 “crisper days old” when I unearthed it and decided it was “just fine”.

Yes, it looks bad, but honestly, it tasted “just fine.” Not slimy at all. Just strangely brown colored…

I simply vigorously rubbed the brown nubbins’ (Morgan absolutely hates the word “nubbins” and so I use it just as much as I possibly can) into the sink…

and proceded with the recipe I intended to make two weeks earlier.

I’ve mentioned I’ve been busy lately, right?

This salad was served at who-knows-how-many graduation parties this spring. I have always loved it, saying “What IS the dressing on this? It’s SO good!” to many a hostess, only to be met with blank and/or incredulous stares.

Apparently, EVERYONE knows how to make this salad dressing except for me. But since I consider myself a cultured and experienced cook, I can’t admit that I truly am the only one in the dark. and so I share it with you today in case you, too, are broccoli salad clueless. (With some tweaks, of course). (Let me know in the comments if I really am the only one who didn’t know the wonder of combining mayo with cider vinegar and sugar)

Broccoli Bacon Salad

1/2 cup light or regular mayo
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1 head broccoli cut into small pieces. (I use most of the stem, too, but peel tough part off)
1 small or 1/2 a medium onion, diced
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 – 1 cup craisins (dried cranberries)
Lots ‘O Bacon crumbles (I used the stuff in the big bags at Costco, because it’s so easy)

Put broccoli, onion, craisins, almonds and bacon in a large bowl. Mix mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar together. Adjust to taste. If you like it creamier, add more mayo, sweeter, more sugar, etc. Pour dressing over ingredients and mix well. Serve at room temp or chill.

Try to disregard how awful mine looks. Trust me, it tasted just fine.

Meatless Monday Six

February 9, 2010

(Sorry Guys, No Exclamation Mark for this One.)

Meatless Monday Six was non-blogworthy. We had baked potatoes and broccoli.

Yep. That’s it.

That’s what we had.

I even had a plan for it. Knew what I was gonna make. Tweeted about it.

I’ll be honest: I might not have allotted enough time to make what I planned to make, but that’s water under the bridge. Because I didn’t get to make it.

Know why?

Out of all the days in the year. In my marriage, really, Dave decides this is the day he is going to tell me what he would like to have for dinner.

And that would be, potatoes.

Plain baked potatoes.

With broccoli on the side.

When I tried to overrule him, he simply said: “You ask me all the time what I want to have for dinner. Well, I am finally telling you. Tonight, I want baked potatoes.”

He is a man of brief and true statements. But come on. Like I can write a post about baked potatoes and broccoli!

I don’t even know what to say. I am rendered speechless. And I have to wonder if this was the plan all along.

The Great Broccoli Lie

July 27, 2009

There is a lie that gets told every year in the Menke home right about now. It goes something like this:

“Hey guys, this is our first broccoli from the garden this year.” (Jennie)

“Really? I thought you weren’t going to grow broccoli anymore.” (any one except Jennie)

“Yeah, I know. But I was at Shady Acres and it looked good, so I bought some. I got it in early, so the Cabbage Moths weren’t a problem.” (Jennie)

“Really? Are you sure? (Family member A)

“You are positive there aren’t any worms?” (Family member B)

“Have you seen any moths? Do the leaves have any holes? Are you sure?” (Family member C)

“I am positive there are no worms. I promise.” (Jennie – THE GREAT LIE.)

BT is a very good (and organic) control for cabbage worms. The problem is, you have to go into the barn, find it, mix it, spray the plants and repeat at least once a week during the growing season. I simply can’t be counted on to do that.

Oh, what’s that you say? I should just pick the worms off? Sure. No problem. Here is what my family sees when they sit down to some perfectly steamed broccoli:

And this is what I see, right after telling the Great Lie:

Of course, this second photo has been enhanced, for your viewing pleasure. It is what I see. My family, most notably, does not see the worm, even though it is there. Scroll back up and look for yourself.

I have two choices at this point.

1) I can fess up and tell them that I lied. That I really did see moths, and holes on the leaves and even saw a worm before steaming, but was positive they were gone until right this very minute when I saw it on my plate.

Or, 2) I can keep my mouth shut, eat the worm and pretend nothing untoward is happening.

What would you do? (comment please).

Well, as I’m sure you all know by now, I ate the worm. Admitting I was wrong would have been way harder.