So…bacon.

Should we just stop there?

Cause it’s just rude how good it is.

It’s probably the main reason I won’t be vegetarian.  It’s all smokey, and crunchy, and salty and meaty…like, the perfect food!

Seriously…I am not even one of those crazy “bacon people”.  You know who I’m talking about.  Those people who make bacon cupcakes, bacon donuts, bacon lollipops. Oh, ya…I should tell you that I made vanilla scented, maple flavoured caramalized bacon ice cream.  It was pretty epic.

So, I’m a crazy bacon person.

Guilty…

But, bacon crazy or not, you really have to try this salad.  If you have kids (or anyone that mimics a kid by refusing to eat broccoli), this is an awesome way to get them to eat their veg. I swear…it’s that good!

Ingredients:

(again, don’t worry about exact measurements – adjust to what your tastebuds prefer!)

1 large bag of broccoli heads (I got mine at Costco – about 6 cups worth…you can use the broccoli crowns in the produce section or you can just cut up a couple of heads of broccoli)

1 pkg bacon, cooked  (I usually use the whole package but I only had 1/2 package here so I used some leftover ham that I had in the fridge) **

1/3 c finely chopped dates (you can use dried cranberries if you prefer)

1/3 c sunflower seeds (candied seeds are even better if you can find them)

1 finely diced red onion (about 1/2 c)

** if you are not a pork eater, you can substitute turkey/chicken bacon.  It won’t be as crispy, but it will work.  Perhaps add a splash of liquid smoke (you can get it at the grocery store and it lasts forever in your fridge)

Dressing:

2 tbsp Miracle Whip or mayonaise (Miracle Whip actually has sugar, which is generally not good but it works here because the extra sweetness adds to the salad components!)

1/4 c balsamic vinegar

1/4  c olive oil

1 tbsp bacon fat (optional but gives the dressing a smokey touch!)

Juice of one lemon

1-2 tbsp agave nectar

salt and pepper to taste

Balsamic glaze to finish (available in the vinegar section of most grocery stores)