Hierdie kleurvolle slaai is propvol interessante teksture en smake. Dis ook die perfekte oplossing vir dié wat nie oor ’n tipiese groenslaai opgewonde raak nie. Die effens ongewone kombinasie van bestanddele is ’n geurige verrassing en almal wil altyd ’n tweede keer skep. Daar is eintlik net vyf elemente in die slaai, maar elkeen komplementeer die ander regtig goed. Spinasie en kaas is altyd ’n wenner en as jy nie van bloukaas hou nie, is feta net so lekker. Die soeterige smaak van die gekaramelliseerde uie is ’n goeie balans met die soutsmaak van die kaas en vars tamaties pas so goed by al die ander bestanddele.

Dis ’n maklike en vinnige slaai om te maak en perfek vir ’n braaivleis. Of sit dit as bygereg met hoender voor.

This colourful salad has lots of interesting textures and flavours and is perfect for those who aren’t usually excited by a typical green salad. The slightly unusual combination of only four main ingredients is an aromatic surprise and is always a hit.

This is such an easy recipe, and super quick to prepare for a braai. Or as a side dish with chicken. 

Recipe (English)

Broccoli salad with caramelised onions & blue cheese

Serves 6

Ingredients

15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil

3 onions, halved and thinly sliced

15 ml (1 tbsp) soft brown sugar

30 ml (2 tbsp) balsamic vinegar

pepper to taste

30 ml (2 tbsp) fresh thyme leaves

300 g broccoli, cut into smaller florets

2-3 handfuls of baby spinach leaves or other mixed salad leaves of your choice

200 g baby tomatoes, halved

100 g blue cheese or 1-2 slices of feta cheese, coarsely crumbled

Method

1. Heat oil over medium heat in a large frying pan and sauté onions until completely soft. Add sugar and vinegar and season to taste. Reduce the heat slightly and stir occasionally, while the onions caramelise without a lid for 10-15 minutes. Stir in the thyme. Spoon out and set aside to cool.
2. Meanwhile, place broccoli in a shallow bowl and cover with boiling water. Allow to stand for 10-12 minutes or until just bright green in colour, but still crispy. Drain and repeat the boiling water process, if necessary, but don’t overcook the broccoli. The broccoli can also be steamed for a few minutes or blanched in a saucepan in a small amount of water.
3. Immerse the broccoli in cold water to stop the cooking process and drain immediately. Gently shake off the extra water and pat broccoli dry with kitchen paper.
4. Arrange all the salad ingredients on a serving platter and serve at room temperature as a side dish.

Tips

1. Caramelised onions are so versatile! Use in any salad of your choice, or add coriander or basil leaves and toasted nuts, and mix into cooked couscous.
2. Replace the thyme in the caramelised onions with cumin or any other flavour profile. 
3. Serve all the elements separately and let everyone ‘build’ their own salad. Add a protein like bacon, cooked shredded chicken or strips of steak to make it a filling meal. 

Hierdie Broccoli-slaai met gekaramelliseerde uie & bloukaas was deel van ‘n kos-artikel in LiG Tydskrif, Herfs 2022.
Foto Adel Ferreira Photography.