Title: Wholesome and Low-Point Easy Broccoli Salad

Introduction: Embark on a culinary journey with our Easy Broccoli Salad—a delightful combination of vibrant flavors and nutritious ingredients, all while maintaining a low SmartPoints value. This refreshing salad is perfect for adding a burst of freshness to any meal, making it a staple in your healthy eating repertoire. Join us as we unravel the simple steps to create this delicious dish, accompanied by insightful tips and nutritional insights to elevate your dining experience.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Begin by preparing the broccoli florets, ensuring they are washed and thoroughly dried. Trim any tough stems and cut the florets into bite-sized pieces.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli florets with thinly sliced red onion, raisins, and sunflower seeds. Toss gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
  3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the reduced-fat mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup until smooth and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture in the large bowl, ensuring all ingredients are coated evenly.
  5. Gently toss the salad until the dressing is distributed throughout and all ingredients are well coated.
  6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the broccoli to marinate in the dressing.
  7. Once chilled, give the salad a final toss before serving to ensure the flavors are well balanced.
  8. Garnish with additional sunflower seeds or a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs, if desired, before serving.

Savor the crisp and refreshing flavors of our Easy Broccoli Salad, a guilt-free delight that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. With its low SmartPoints value and vibrant ingredients, this salad is sure to become a beloved addition to your healthy eating routine.

Here’s the breakdown of the points for each ingredient:

  1. Broccoli florets:
    • Calories: Approximately 50 calories per cup
    • Fiber: Approximately 2 grams per cup
    • SmartPoints: 0
  2. Red onion:
    • Calories: Approximately 20 calories per 1/2 cup
    • Fiber: Approximately 1 gram per 1/2 cup
    • SmartPoints: 0
  3. Raisins:
    • Calories: Approximately 130 calories per 1/4 cup
    • Fiber: Approximately 1 gram per 1/4 cup
    • SmartPoints: 0
  4. Sunflower seeds:
    • Calories: Approximately 200 calories per 1/4 cup
    • Fiber: Approximately 2 grams per 1/4 cup
    • SmartPoints: 1
  5. Reduced-fat mayonnaise:
    • Calories: Approximately 90 calories per 1/4 cup
    • Fiber: 0 grams
    • SmartPoints: 1
  6. Apple cider vinegar:
    • Calories: Negligible
    • Fiber: Negligible
    • SmartPoints: 0
  7. Maple syrup:
    • Calories: Approximately 50 calories per tablespoon
    • Fiber: Negligible
    • SmartPoints: 1

To calculate the total SmartPoints for the entire recipe, add up the SmartPoints for each ingredient:

Total SmartPoints = 0 (broccoli) + 0 (red onion) + 1 (raisins) + 1 (sunflower seeds) + 0 (mayonnaise) + 0 (apple cider vinegar) + 0 (maple syrup)

Total SmartPoints = 7

So, the total SmartPoints for the ingredients in the recipe is 7.