Come on guys…let’s give Dad what he really wants for Father’s Day… BACON. And sleep. But mostly BACON.
I don’t know, sleep might be tied for first for my guy this year. Especially since his wife, that would be me, the mother of his three beautiful children (see what I did there), keeps finding every possible project needing to be done since our reno’s completion and she wants them done, ummmm, yesterday. Oh boy – thankfully – my stud muffin can handle my gentle (cough) requests – but all the more reason to give him bacon. He’s earned it. Thank you, honey!
The wonderful thing about this side-dish is it’s slim on ingredients but hefty on flavor! And that is in very large part due to the addition of bacon. I mean, who doesn’t love bacon? I know it’s a real treat when it makes a special appearance on his plate. And if I throw in some toasted cashews – jackpot!
And isn’t that what this day is all about? Giving dads what they want… Jackpots everywhere!
And in Dom’s case, his jackpots would look something like Broccoli Slaw with Maple Bacon & Toasted Cashews, blackout curtains, comfy pillows and the snooze button turned to off! And once awake, the remainder of his day spent chilling with his kids. Thankfully, this plan is in the works as we speak.
I’ve taken my traditional cabbage coleslaw and substituted broccoli florets and other tasty bits to amp up our flavor and color.
This makes for a wonderful accompaniment alongside most any protein, like this five-napkin grilled chicken slathered in my Sweet ‘n Smokin’ Hot BBQ Sauce or set atop a tasty barbecue beef sandwich.
I think it’s also important to mention that this slaw makes a terrific summertime lunch, all on its own.
Our dressing, simple yet elegant, makes use of basic staple ingredients – mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar. I doubt there’s a kitchen in all the land that doesn’t have these items at the ready.
It’s a party on a plate. Am I right? Do you love the colors as much as I do? The onion and dried cranberries, with their sweet tart spicy flavor and vibrant garnet hues which provide a beautiful contrast to everything else that’s going on here? Oh yes.
So, let’s run it down…bite-sized broccoli florets, maple bacon, toasted cashews, sweet red onion and dried cranberries all together in a tangy mayo dressing for this deliciously simple slaw that Dad will love!
…after his nap…
Done!
Buon Appetito!
PrintBroccoli Slaw with Maple Bacon & Toasted Cashews
- Category: Side-Dish
Ingredients
- 6 – 8 slices of maple-flavored bacon
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp. sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large head of broccoli, cut into bite sized florets and thinly sliced, lengthwise
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup toasted cashews (To toast, place cashews in a small skillet over medium heat and toast until aroma and oils are released, about 3 minutes.)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Arrange 6 – 8 slices of bacon on a rack set over a baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until bacon is browned and crisp.
- Remove from oven and drain on paper towels.
- Crumble bacon into bite size pieces.
- In a large bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the broccoli, dried cranberries, onion, toasted cashews and bacon.
- Toss to coat.
- Transfer slaw to a serving bowl.
Happy Father’s Day!!
Eva says
What a great present for father’s day ! This salada looks gorgeous and “très gourmand”
Annie says
Thank you, dear!!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Yesssss – bacon and a nap sounds like a perfect Father’s Day! I love that woven bacon business you have going on here! I’ll take broccoli any way I can get it and this slaw has such a nice and refreshing twist with the cashews and cranberries. And I give you a virtual high five and fist bump for the reno completion!
Annie says
You can’t go wrong with bacon and a nap!! High-five back, my friend! 🙂
Christina @ Bake with Christina says
Broccoli is easily one of my favorite veggies – totally loving this salad! And I’m so in love with the bacon picture!! 🙂
Annie says
Thanks, Christina!! I appreciate that!
Izzy @ She Likes Food says
Haha, bacon does sound like the perfect way to get people to do things for you! And that cooked bacon photo is awesome 🙂 I love broccoli but I’ve never made a broccoli slaw before, I will have to put this on the menu this summer!
Annie says
Well….I know it works for me! hahah! Bacon gets me every time! Enjoy, my friend!
Tammy Renea@SanPasqualsKitchen says
What a beautiful slaw! I’m sure the hubs was over the moon with this and his nap. hahaha
Annie says
Hahah!! He was!! Hope your hubs had a great day, too!! 🙂
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Oh, yeah, I know my dad would love this one, Annie! For me, this wouldn’t be a side, It’d be the main course! Your simple dressing sounds fabulous with just the right balance of sweetness. Broccoli is starting to show up at the market, so I’m looking forward to whipin up some slaw with it! Wishing your sweetie a happy Father’s Day weekend! Thank you, my friend!
Annie says
Thank you so much, dear! Have a lovely weekend!
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries says
This sounds so similar to my mother in law’s famous broccoli salad, which is one of my favorite things in the entire world! So naturally, this sounds absolutely amazing :). I love that you added cashews – I definitely need to try this!
Annie says
This is one great slaw!! Thanks, Annie!
Amanda says
YUM!!!
Annie says
THANK YOU, AMANDA!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Haha love this! Bacon makes everything better! This salad is gorgeous and packed with a ton of flavor! Perfect for Father’s Day! Hope you guys have a great one!
Annie says
Thanks so much, Kelly! Have a wonderful weekend with your family, dear!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I LOVE broccoli slaw and I love.love.LOVE bacon (like everyone else- right!)! This slaw you’ve got right here is sheer perfect-iiiion!! Love the addition of toasted cashews! This is most definately a party for the tastebuds! Congrats on the reno being complete- that’s super exciting! Hope u share pictures when all the final little details (see- your hubs projects) are complete! Cheers and warm wishes for a great weekend and Father’s day (but you are doing the cooking, so I KNOW it will be a fantastic one)! Xo
Annie says
Thanks for your sweetness, Cheyanne!! And I’ll definitely share photos, hopefully soon! 🙂 Have a lovely weekend, my friend!
Kevin | keviniscooking says
I make one similar to this with pickled red onions and pumpkin seeds, too. Like you said the dressing it so easy and you have all that in your pantry already. Easy peasy – It’s really almost a full meal.
Annie says
Yum! Love your version! This really is a complete meal. Thanks for stopping by, Kevin!
Gaila says
Annie, Annie, Annie! you are killing me, I love broccoli, but this is like what????? I’m speechless, and that is a hard thing to achieve! Thank you for sharing a wonderful recipe!
Annie says
Hahahah!! Love that you love this!! Thanks, my friend! Enjoy!
Robin Botie says
Okay, I needed a new way to love broccoli as it is on the bottom of my list of favorite veggies. Thank you for pairing it with bacon and cashews, two things that are high on my list of fave foods. Looking forward to seeing you next week in Utica. Cheers!
Annie says
Hahah! I wasn’t sure a bacon and cashew salad would fly!! Thanks, my dear! Looking forward to seeing you! 🙂
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
My dad would LOVE this salad! Love the colours and of course, all that crispy bacon too! Yummy recipe, Annie! Have a great weekend!
Annie says
Awh! Love that!! Thanks so much, Jess! Enjoy your weekend, lovely lady!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
haha BACON. . you are so right!!! Annie, this slaw is gorgeous! love everything and am going to try this! did you make a lattice top with bacon?! I love that!
Annie says
Yes, bacon!! It never disappoints! I ended up crumbling the bacon after getting artsy with it. Haha! It ended up better as an integrated component… Though it sure was pretty! Thanks, Alice!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
My dad would definitely love this salad for Father’s Day! Everything is definitely better with bacon, right? Love the cashews in here too, Annie! Delish!
Annie says
So true! Everything is better with bacon! Thanks, Gayle! Have a great weekend!
mira says
Love broccoli slaw and this looks beautiful! Can’t stop looking at the pictures! Perfect for father’s day!
Annie says
Thanks, Mira! I promise – it’s as tasty as it looks! 🙂
Sues says
Love this salad!! Lots of nutrition…. And bacon, too 🙂
Annie says
And really…we could just start and end with “And bacon, too!” Am I right? hahah! Thanks, dear! 🙂
Oriana @Mommyhood's Diary says
Annie, my husband would be very happy with this colorful salad, mostly because it has bacon and cashews. He is such a sucker for anything bacon. Happy Father’s Day!! Pinning.
Annie says
Your hubby and mine have that in common! Happy Father’s Day, Oriana! Thanks for the pin, my friend!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Broccoli is just the best and I’m loving all the goodies in here! Toasted cashews and broccoli sound amazing and this is a side not only for Father’s Day, but for any cookout this summer 🙂
Annie says
I don’t think I’ve found a way that I don’t love broccoli! It’s one of my favorites, too! Yeah, this slaw will be a popular item on our picnic menu this summer! Thanks, Medha!