Yummy Broccoli Salad

Every once in awhile, I get a hankering for something really tasty that is typically "off-season".  It's like craving a turkey dinner with all the fixings, six months before Thanksgiving.  It was snowing and cruddy outside when I started craving summer salads.  One of my favorites is Broccoli salad.  You can buy a 3lb bag of broccoli florets at Costco for under $4.  So this flavorful summer salad was a breeze to make while winter was still looming outdoors.

Broccoli Salad
(for a Large bowl...cut recipe in half for smaller families)

1 bag of broccoli from Costco--cut into small pieces
1/2 lb bacon--cooked, drained, and crumbled
1 medium red onion--cut into small pieces
1 cup sunflower seeds--I like the salted/roasted ones
1-1 1/2 cups raisins
2 cups mayonnaise
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vinegar

Mix the mayonnaise and sugar together in a bowl until the sugar crystals are dissolved.  Add the vinegar and mix well.

Trim the long stalk ends from the broccoli and break into small pieces.  Prepare the bacon and crumble into large mixing bowl.

Toss broccoli, onion, raisins, bacon, and sunflower seeds together in bowl.  Pour the dressing over the top and thoroughly mix together.  I use a bowl that has a lid.  At this point, put the lid on and stick it in the fridge for a few hours to chill and let the flavors "marry" together.  Serve as a side dish or has snack.  My kids LOVE it!