Charred Broccoli Salad

Courtesy of Foodland Ontario

During the summer, can you ever have too many recipes for tomatoes, corn and  broccoli? Here’s a tasty one from Foodland Ontario to add to your repertoire.

While the recipe calls for Ontario vegetables, use whatever is local in your area.  Grilling the vegetables makes them taste even sweeter than they are at this time of year.  This salad can be made up to 1 day ahead.I have adapted the recipe to read extra virgin olive oil as it’s my preference with its mtriad health benefits compared to regular olive oil.

Charred Broccoli Salad

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Grilling Time: 15 to 20 minutes

Serves: 6

1 head Ontario Broccoli, trimmed  (about 1-1/2 lbs/750 g)
1 Ontario Red Onion, sliced crosswise (1/2-inch/1 cm thick)
1 cob Ontario Corn, husked
2 tbsp (25 mL) extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 large Ontario Tomato, cut into chunks
1/2 cup (125 mL) crumbled Ontario Feta Cheese (about 2 oz/60 g)

Dressing:
1/4 cup (50 mL) red wine vinegar
1/3 cup (75 mL)  extra virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp (4 mL) dried oregano leaves
1/2 tsp (2 mL) each sugar and dry mustard
1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and freshly ground black pepper

Remove most of the thick stalk from broccoli and cut in half lengthwise. Brush broccoli, onion and corn evenly with 2 tbsp (25 mL) oil; season with salt and pepper.

Grill vegetables over medium heat, turning occasionally, until broccoli, onion and corn are lightly charred and tender-crisp; about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove pieces as they are cooked; set aside to cool slightly.

Dressing: In small bowl whisk together vinegar, oil, oregano, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper.

Chop broccoli into florets, discarding any remaining tough stalk. Coarsely chop onion and remove corn kernels from cob. Combine grilled vegetables with tomato in large serving bowl. Drizzle with a little of the dressing, sprinkle with feta; cover and refrigerate salad and reserved dressing. Serve at room temperature with reserved dressing.

Nutrition information per serving
•    Calories: 258
•    Protein:  6 grams
•    Fat: 20 grams
•    Carbohydrate: 16  grams
•    Dietary fibre:  4 grams
•    Sodium: 330  milligrams