I just read a tiny article in Rachael Ray magazine (August 2011) that asks the question raw or cooked when it comes to vegetables. They state that there is new date from the University of Arkansas that suggest that both have their advantages. Cooking vegetables helps with digestion and changes some of the nutrients making them equally as healthy.
We’ll use broccoli as an example. It is listed a having vitamin and folate (“which boosts mood”) in its raw form where cooked broccoli has certain vitamin A precursors which “give you dewy, youthful skin and hair.” Now, I’m sure this article broke the science down to it’s most basic form but it goes without saying eating your vegetables, raw or cooked, is good for you.
Broccoli Salad
A mash up of the Neelys and Butter-Loving P. Dean
Ingredients:
- 1 head broccoli
- 6 to 8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/2 cup raisins, optional
- 8 ounces sharp Cheddar, grated
- 1/2 red onion, sliced very thin
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1/4 teas celery seed
- 1/4 cup sugar (I only used a teaspoon)
- 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation:
Cut the broccoli into florets. Blanch in boiling salted water until barely tender, about 20 seconds. Shock them in a bowl of ice. Drain and reserve.
Combine all other ingredients, bacon through cherry tomatoes, mixing well. Fold in the broccoli. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
What do you think – raw veggies are crunchalicious and these scientist are wack? Or cooked vegetables are delicious and nutritious?
Either way, this salads a win in my book. I’ve made it several times this summer now, taking it from out door barbecues to family get togethers.
My name is Kita. I am a 20 something girl geek and website/graphic designer who can rock an apron like there is no tomorrow. 
I could just have that as a meal! Yum! Love salads in any form.
I’ve tagged you for an interesting challenge … actually it isn’t really a challenge but more of a good opportunity. If you have some time to check this out and participate …. http://pingspickings.blogspot.com/2011/08/tag-im-it.html
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Oh, I love these types of broccoli salads…yours has me drooling! I like to blanch broccoli just a wee bit first…not a huge fan of it raw
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I only recently got into broccoli after peeping a hot broccoli pasta a few months back and I think I might be in love. Haven’t had it raw yet so I can’t give an honest opinion but I reckon it might be yummy both ways. Great salad, by the way. Bacon and cheese = happy tummy.
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I love raw broccoli. And I prefer it raw also. Not for the health benefits, but for the texture and crunch.
When my daughter was about 12, we would go pick some raw broccoli from the garden and sit on the back porch dipping it in French Onion dip. Come to think of it, it always put us in a good mood.
But then that could have also been because we’ve always enjoyed each other’s company.
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Yummy! Broccoli is my absolute favorite veggie so I always love finding new recipes for it, this looks delicious!!
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I love it blanched, chargrilled then drenched in galic and chilli oil but this salad version sounds gawjus!
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What a great side dish!
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I love all of that great info! I like to eat veggies both cooked and raw, just depends on which veggie. Lately I have been roasting veggies and I love them roasted. Your broccoli salad sounds so yummy!
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Kita!
Your recipes always look so extremely delicious! I love vegetables in any form. I know rae veggies can bother alot of people’s tummys but not mine!! I will HAVE to make this delicious plate
Thanks for sharing
Christina
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I only like broccoli if it is cooked, so I am going to have to tell Rachael Ray that is better than nothing! Great looking salad though!
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Oh this salad looks good, I like that you reduced the sugar- Ive had other ones and it always trips me out that they are sweet. I’m a salty girl myself…
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Yum! That is very much like one of my favorite broccoli salads….that I do NOT have a recipe for! Thanks!
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I eat broccoli a lot. A lot! But I just cannot do it raw. Steamed or sauted is my way of cooking.
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Hmmm…I think raw veggies are usually the way to go…but who can resist a plate of grilled veggies in the summer or roasted veggies in the winter? This looks like a really different broccoli salad. Very interesting.
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Hi Kita! I didn’t know about the different vitamins by cooking or not cooking broccoli! In Japan, we can’t eat raw broccoli…. they are very hard and I was completely shocked when I saw Americans eating broccoli RAW… now I enjoy eating them raw too. Your broccoli salad looks delicious! I love how you added the sour cream. I never added before and I need to try that next time!
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