Irresistible Mandarin Broccoli Salad = The. Best. Salad. Ever. With crisp lightly roasted broccoli and savory bacon pieces, sweet oranges and tangy onion tossed in the slightly sweet dressing, this Mandarin Broccoli Salad will be on my favorites list for a long time.Recipe adapted from and with thanks to A Pretty Life In The Suburbs
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time35 minutesmins
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12servings
Calories: 229kcal
Ingredients
SALAD DRESSING:
2eggs
1/3cuphoney or white sugarboth work well
1teaspoonarrowroot powdercornstarch is fine as well
1teaspoondry mustard
1/4cupwhite wine vinegar
3tablespoonswater
1/2cupmayonnaiseI made this both with and without the mayo and both versions were good. The final verdict was in favor of the mayo. It adds a tangy element to the dressing and we liked that.
SALAD:
6cupsbroccoli floretscut slightly smaller than bite size
2cupsapproximately 5 oz mushrooms, sliced thin and then cut in half, about 10-12 pieces per small button mushroom
1/2cupraisins
10slicesbaconcooked and chopped small (I cook the bacon in the oven at the same time as the broccoli)
4mandarin orangespeeled and separated
1/2small red onionvery thinly sliced
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. If you are cooking the bacon in the oven with the broccoli, now is the time to start it. You can spread it out on a large baking tray covered in foil and place it in the cold oven as you preheat it. 18-22 minutes later it should be done. Keep a close eye on the bacon towards the end of the cooking time.
In a large bowl, drizzle olive oil lightly over the broccoli. Toss with your hands to coat. Spread out the broccoli in a single layer across a lightly greased or silpat lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt. Roast in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until barely beginning to brown on the edges. The broccoli should be a bright green with a bit of crunch remaining. Let the broccoli cool completely before combining with the other salad ingredients.
Make the dressing next, it will need to cool before tossing with the rest of the salad. In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk eggs, honey (or sugar), arrowroot and mustard. Add the vinegar and water and whisk again. Cook until slightly thickened, stirring almost constantly. Remove from the heat and add the mayonnaise. Cool.
In a large bowl, combine the cooled salad ingredients and then toss with the cooled dressing. This is delicious immediately, however it is even better after 3 or more hours rest in the refrigerator. Enjoy!