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Today we are talking about two things, this amazing Broccoli Ramen Salad and the Food Network Star. They have absolutely nothing to do with each other, but since the finale is on Sunday I thought I would bring it up.
Letโs start with the show. Have you been watching it? I donโt usually get hooked on reality shows, but this time I did. My husband has no interest in watching the show with me, so to spare him I record it and watch it the next morning. Itโs great for passing time if Iโm running on the treadmill. If youโve been watching you know that they are down to the final 3 contestants, Lenny, Luca, and Nicole. Last week Sarah got the boot and can I just say, itโs about time! Something about her just rubbed me the wrong way, no offense Texas. My favorite person and the one Iโm hoping will win is Lenny. He seriously cracks me up with his cowboy hat, boots, and huge belt buckle. I love his outgoing personality, sense of humor, not to mention his food has been looking pretty tasty. I think he would add some lighthearted humor to the Food Network. If Lenny doesnโt make it, my second favorite is Luca. Heโs sort of like the male version of Giada. Who are you hoping will win?
Ok, now that we have that out of the way lets talk about this awesome, addictive, and easy to make Broccoli Ramen Salad! My family has been making this salad since I was a teenager and itโs by far one of my favorites. Itโs perfect for BBQโs and picnics because there is no mayonnaise or ingredients that might spoil. I love having it as a side dish with some grilled chicken or burgers.
Because the original recipe calls for quite a bit of butter (3/4 of a stick to be exact) in the ramen topping as well as a lot of sugar and oil in the dressing, I knew I wanted to revise the recipe and make it a little lighter. First thing I did was cut most of the butter out of the ramen topping. I only used about 1/2 a tablespoon which was just enough to give the ramen, sunflower seeds, slivered almonds, and sesame seeds that buttery crunch. Using less butter also made me feel better about the amount of topping that ended up in my mouth before making it to the salad, trust me, it will happen to you too!
Now letโs talk dressing. Dressings are a major calorie bomb when it comes to salad and the original recipe for this one was no exception. The original recipe called for a 1/2 cup of oil and a 1/2 cup of sugar, well thatโs a frightening amount of calories! Since it is still summer and there are still bathing suits to be worn, I reworked the dressing and came up with one that only uses 2 tablespoons of oil and 3 tablespoons of agave nectar or honey rather than the gut busting 1/2 cup of sugar. This Broccoli Ramen Salad has some serious texture going on in it, which I absolutely love. The broccoli slaw itself has crunch and then you add in the crunchy mixture of the ramen, almonds, and sunflower seeds, itโs a real party for your mouth! The flavors of the salad are Asian in flavor thanks to some added soy sauce and rice wine vinegar in the dressing. I love the combination of the saltiness from the ramen topping paired with the slightly sweet dressing, and the freshness of the broccoli slaw. This salad is a total crowd pleaser, I guarantee you wonโt go home with leftovers!
Ingredients
For the Broccoli Ramen Salad
- 12 ounces broccoli slaw
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 package ramen noodles 3 ounces, crushed and flavor packet removed
- 1/3 cup unsalted shelled sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Dressing
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large saute pan over medium heat add the butter. When the butter is melted add in the crushed ramen, almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and salt.Toast the topping until golden, stirring frequently. Remove the pan from the heat and cool.
- In a large serving bowl combine the broccoli slaw and the sliced green onions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients then pour over the broccoli slaw.
- Toss the salad together with the dressing until everything is coated. Just before serving top the salad with the ramen mixture.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I am totally with you on Food Network Star! I was totally ready for Sarah to go! I donโt even know how she made it as long as she did. Oh well, I love how you have lightened up this salad! I am sucker for anything ramen! Totally going on my menu when we get back! xoxo
Ugh Sarah was so obnoxious! Canโt wait to see who wins now! Have a great last couple days of your vacation!
Iโve totally been watching, although I missed the last two weeks. Iโm totally gunning for Luca, heโs so adorable! But I dunno, he might be kind of boring. I guess Iโm still not sure! Ha! I love these kinds of salads, but totally with, the dressings are SO fattening. Love that you lightened this up!
Thanks Nicole! Itโs a tough one for me to pick between Lenny and Luca (Luca is very nice to look at), I donโt think I want Nicole to win, pretty sure Iโd get bored if she had a show.
This salad totally reminds me of summer. The colors are pretty and flavors are amazing! I love the dressing that goes over this, too. Pinned!
Thanks Gayle! Itโs always been a favorite summer salad of mine!
What a great idea! I love the idea of broccoli ramen! I donโt watch too much tv, but I definitely need to watch Food Network star sometime!
Thanks Ashley! You should definitely watch the finale of Food Network Star this week!
I have a major addiction to broccoli slawโฆmajor addiction. I cannot help myself and knowing itโs generally pretty healthy helps. I havenโt been watching the Food Network star this year, but Iโm totally tuning in for the finale!
You and me both Bri! Iโm not ashamed to say that we finished the whole salad in only a couple days, so good!
I feel like I need to watch approximately 200% more reality TV and 200% more cooking showsโฆletโs get together and enjoy endless bowls of broccoli ramen salad while watching allll the TVs! ;)
Haha you and me both Julia! I think this is the first time Iโve watched an entire reality TV series. Next season we can watch it together with bowls of the broccoli ramen salad! :-)