Recipe Box Swap: Broccoli and peanut salad

This month's recipe swap over at I have to say... is unthemed, so I've decided to go with Gib's mum's friend in Canada's recipe for Broccoli and Peanut salad. When I first read the ingredients I wasn't sure whether I'd like it, but it's absolutely delicious. It's been a favourite in our household of late. Ok, so it's not the best recipe ever if you're trying to watch your weight, despite all of that wonderfully healthy broccoli, but it's not something I'm eating every day (even though I wish I could!). It has bacon in it, but I can assure you that it tastes terrific without it. Broccoli is one of my all time favourite vegetables, but until recently I'd only ever eat it cooked. I remember a work colleague telling me she loved it raw and me telling her she was mad. But then about a year ago I discovered how good it tasted with dips and things or even on its own. Yum!

Broccoli and Peanut salad

1 head of raw broccoli
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
1 cup raisins or sultanas
1 small red onion, chopped
4-6 slices bacon, diced and fried
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tbsp lemon juice (or you can use apple cider or white vinegar)
1-3 tbsp sugar (the original recipe calls for 3 tbsp! But I have found that it's ok without as the sultanas are sufficiently sweet enough)

Trim off large leaves of broccoli and remove the end of the stalk. Dice the stalk into 1cm pieces. Cut remaining broccoli into small flowerets. Wash then soak for 30 mins, then drain.
Combine the broccoli, peanuts, sultanas, onion and bacon in a bowl.
Mix together the the mayonnaise, lemon juice and sugar. Mix the dressing through the broccoli and peanut mixture until well coated.