Summer Time & THE Best Broccoli Salad - Paula Deen's Recipe

WE LOVE Paula Deen. Her Broccoli Salad recipe is a favorite. It's so good. I would never have thought of putting raisins in a salad like this or that I would like it BUT it is delicious.

Paula Deen's Broccoli Salad

Salad:

1 head broccoli
6 to 8 slices cooked, crumbled bacon (I use Turkey Bacon)
½ cup chopped red onion, optional
½ cup raisins, optional
8 ounces mild Cheddar, cut into very small chunks (or cheese of choice)
½ cup halved cherry tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons white vinegar

¼ cup sugar

Trim off the large leaves from the broccoli stem, remove the tough stalk at the end and wash broccoli head thoroughly.

Cut the head into flowerets and the stem into bite-size pieces.

Place in a large bowl.

Add the crumbled bacon, onion, raisins if using, and cheese.

For dressing, combine the remaining ingredients in a small bowl, stirring well.

Add to broccoli mixture and toss gently.