Vegan Broccoli “Bacon” Salad

This veganized version of a picnic classic is not only healthier than the original, but delicious as well!  Instead of a mayonnaise based dressing with refined sugar, it has a coconut cashew based dressing with maple syrup. And instead of bacon, it has a coconut bacon that is crispy, smokey and delicious like the real thing!  This would be perfect for a picnic, just wait until you are ready to serve to add the bacon so it stays crisp.

Author: Amy Lyons O’Neil

Amy has worked for Fresh and Natural Foods since 2006 contributing to the variety of healthful foods we offer. She graduated with a degree in studio art from Bethel University in 2007, but in her senior year of college, found that her passion was with the art of food. She later used her photography and culinary skills to create a vegan food and recipe blog, Fragrant Vanilla Cake. She has also written 3 cookbooks. She specializes in vegan and vegetarian recipes. Local, fresh and organic food has always been her focus in whatever she creates.

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Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Ready in: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• Coconut "Bacon":
• 1 1/2 cups large flake coconut
• 2 Tbsp San J tamari
• 2 Tbsp liquid smoke
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• Dressing:
• 1/3 cup raw cashew butter
• 1/3 cup full fat Thai Kitchen coconut cream
• 1 Tbsp Bragg's apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1/3 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
• Salad:
• 2 medium heads organic broccoli, cut into flowrettes
• 1/4 cup diced organic red onion
• 1/2 cup organic raisins
• 1/2 cup organic sunflower seeds

Instructions

Instructions:

1. To make the coconut bacon, preheat the oven to 350F degrees, and line a sheet pan with parchment.
2. Toss the large flake coconut with the tamari, liquid smoke and maple syrup and spread out on the pan.  Place in the oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes (depending on your oven), keeping a close eye at the end and checking it in the final minutes because it burns fast.  Remove from oven and let cool.
3. To make the dressing, whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
4. Combine broccoli, onions, raisins, sunflower seeds, and coconut bacon in a bowl, and toss together with the dressing.
5. Enjoy!

*Note: If you are not serving this right away, do not add the coconut bacon until you are just about to serve it so that it  stays crisp.