If any of you have had Claim Jumper's broccoli salad, you know that it's like a taste sensations! It's so delicious with the grapes, cashews and raisins. This recipe is the closest I have found to Claim Jumpers. After it's made, it should sit in the fridge for a while to let all the flavors come out (2-3 hours) and let the broccoli soften a bit.
Ingredients:
3 cups mayonnaise
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
3-4 heads fresh broccoli
1 1/2 cups water chestnuts (about 16 oz.)
2/3 cup cashew pieces
1 1/2 cups raisins
4 cups seedless red grapes
14 slices bacon
1 small red onion (about 1 cup when chopped)
Directions:
1. Cook the bacon and drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. When cool, crumble the bacon and set aside.
2. Combine the mayonnaise, sugar, and red wine vinegar in a medium bowl, and whisk well. Set aside.
3. Trim the broccoli and chop roughly. Drain and chop the water chestnuts; dice the onion finely.
4. Mix together in a very large bowl the broccoli, water chestnuts, cashews, raisins, grapes, bacon pieces, and onion. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to combine.
5. Store covered in the refrigerator at least 2 hours before serving, to let the flavors blend. Toss well before serving.
*Makes about 15-20 potluck servings. Preparation time, about 1 1/2 hours, plus 2 hours or more refrigeration time.
