Chopped Broccoli Salad

I love broccoli. 

I've loved broccoli since I was a toddler. My parents used to ask me, in front of their friends, "Do you want ice cream or broccoli?" And I would always answer enthusiastically, "Broccoli!" Then they would all laugh. I didn't know why that was funny. Now I have little broccoli lovers at my house. When I serve broccoli for dinner my little 2-1/2 year old yells, "Brocky!" It's in the blood.

I used to make broccoli salad regularly. The recipe I had was given to me from a distant cousin on my dad's side of the family. It was basically broccoli, raisins, bacon, sunflower seeds, mayo, sugar, and vinegar. I actually dislike raisins (my kids think I'm nuts) so years ago I started making the same salad with fresh grapes in place of raisins. And now that we are not serving food containing eggs, I have to nix the mayo in recipes. Well, after little variations here and there, this is the way I'm making broccoli salad these days. If you like "brocky" you'll love this simple broccoli salad.

approx 2 lbs of broccoli crowns, chopped  

1 cup seedless red grapes, halved

1 cup plain yogurt or non-dairy yogurt

1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (depending on your preference)

1/8 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds

salt to taste (optional)

• Mix broccoli and grapes together in large bowl. 
• In small bowl combine yogurt, sugar, vinegar, sunflower seeds, and salt (optional) to make dressing.
• Gradually, stir dressing in broccoli and grape salad. 
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Enjoy!