Yesterday, I found out that I definitely didn’t miss my vocation by not becoming a spy.
Too many negatives there, maybe? Oh well, never mind.
You see, Mr. Scrummy and I decided not to tell our Australian relatives that we were coming back to Perth again so that we could surprise them when we got here. But despite a few days of Mr. Scrummy’s mum ‘fishing’ for clues as to when would be a good time for us to drop in on them to ‘launch’ said surprise visit, suddenly it was the weekend and we just hadn’t managed it yet. So, early(ish) Saturday morning, I wandered into the kitchen still a bit jet-lagged, sat at the kitchen table leafing through a magazine, and suddenly there was a loud knock at the door. I looked up and saw Mr. Scrummy’s brother’s car in the driveway.
Bleary-eyed no more, Mr. Scrummy and I jumped up in a panic and manicly tried to grab all ‘evidence’ that we were there. It was almost as if everything moved in slow motion as we grabbed laptops and cables and handbags and coats and flew into our bedroom and jumped behind the door … just in time to hear Mr. Scrummy’s brother letting himself into his mum’s house.
Now, I would like to be able to report that Mr. S’s brother satisfied himself that his mum wasn’t at home and left, but no. Ohhh no. He opened his mail, talked to the cat, talked to himself, went out into the garden and rustled around in the shed, came back into the house, rustled around a bit more, went out to his car, came back in … you get the idea.
An hour and a quarter later (yes, ONE HOUR AND A QUARTER), we were still there holding our breath behind the door, willing him NOT to come down that end of the house, freezing our socks off I might add (Aussie winter, you know …), except, oh yes, I didn’t have any socks on so my feet were just about turning blue.
I pictured having to break the news to my sister-in-law that Mr. Scrummy’s brother was no more because he had had a heart attack after poking his head around the door and spotting two pyjama-clad people hiding there.
Now, not to beat around the bush too much with this story, let me just say that for the rest of the morning and afternoon we behaved like a couple of giggly ten-year-olds. Giggly ten-year-olds pretending to be spies, no less. We had another ‘near-miss’ later on when Mr. Scrummy’s brother left a message on the answerphone that his son would be passing by shortly to pick something up. We dashed out of the house, not even showered after our late morning 10k walk/jog, and drove to the safety of the pub and our potato wedges and sweet chilli sauce (poor us). We then retired to a coffee shop where we found out via Mr. Scrummy’s mum that my sister-in-law was very probably shopping nearby. We drank the rest of our coffees while furtively peering over a menu held over our faces (I made that last part up but it isn’t too far off the truth).
It was all worth it of course when we finally pulled off our surprise shortly afterwards. The family were indeed surprised and delighted to see us, but I have to say I think Mr. Scrummy and I had the most fun. So if you were wondering why I didn’t reply to any of your lovely comments yesterday then that would be the reason. Too busy with our undercover op. If you ever need a private investigator then you know who (not) to call.
OK, well if any of you are still there reading (I’m impressed if you are!) I think it’s time to move onto this very tasty, if I may say so, broccoli, bacon & apple salad. After almost a whole 24 hours of eating not-the-healthiest plane food plus a few days of mostly snacking since we had little idea where we were and what time it was, I decided to make something fairly simple but healthy and tasty. This salad seemed to fit the bill.
If you’re the kind of person who likes an explosion of different flavours and textures in your mouth all at one time, then this salad is definitely for you. There’s:
… crunchy little raw florets of broccoli,
fresh, juicy apple,
sharp cheddar cheese,
super flavoursome bits of bacon,
salty peanuts,
& the subtle zing of a little raw onion …
all bound together in a creamy (but on the light side) dressing made of Greek yoghurt, a little mayonnaise, mustard and honey.
I enjoyed a bowl of this salad by itself, and it was very satisfying indeed. I think it would be great as a side with roast chicken, or quiche, or even fish, too. It could also be a great work lunch or make-ahead take-along buffet dish. If you soak the apple in lemon juice before adding it to the salad, the apple doesn’t go brown and you can quite happily keep it in the fridge for a day (or two or three – I am eating the leftovers while typing this and it is still perfectly fresh-tasting). If you do make ahead, though, it’s best to add the peanuts at the last minute because they don’t hold onto their crunchiness for too long. Next time, I might also throw in a handful of raisins for an extra fruity kick.
We have another relative lined up to surprise this afternoon – Mr. Scrummy’s sister. Hopefully there will be no hiding behind doors involved this time!
So are you a fan of surprises? And how would you feel if you found out that someone was hiding in the house without you knowing about it? Creepy or what?!
Broccoli, bacon & apple salad
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
For the salad
- 6 rashers of bacon sliced into small pieces
- a little oil of your choice for cooking the bacon
- 2 small to medium heads of broccoli thoroughly washed
- 1 apple
- 1 lemon
- 1 smallish onion chopped finely
- 3.5 ounces strong cheddar cheese grated
- about 2 handfuls of salted peanuts
- optional – 1 handful raisins
- freshly ground black pepper
For the dressing
- 3/4 cup Greek yoghurt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Fry the bacon in the oil until cooked through (and crispy if you like), then set aside.
- Discard the ‘woody’ end part of the broccoli stalk, then chop the rest of the stalk finely. Then separate the broccoli heads into small florets. Put the florets and chopped stalk into a large bowl.
- Slice the apple (no need to peel) into small pieces and put them into a small bowl. Squeeze the juice of the lemon all over the apple, then add the apple and any extra juice to the large bowl with the broccoli.
- Now add the onion, cheese and peanuts.
- Stir all of the dressing ingredients together well in a medium-sized bowl, then add to the salad. Add black pepper to taste. Mix really well.
Notes
Nutrition
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Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
That’s HILARIOUS Helen!! 😀 I do love Aussie winters though! I once walked through snow (only a few inches) barefeet for a dare and that was absolute torture! Won’t be doing that again… unless there’s a substantial amount of money on the line 😉
Oh this salad though… I am SO going to make it! I’m always looking for great salad ideas with big flavors that are easy to make… and this is awesome!!
Helen says
Hi, Dini! So happy you like the salad! I actually made this again this weekend for a barbeque, and we’ve just eaten the leftovers tonight. It truly is one of my favourite salads, so I hope you do give it a go. 🙂
I can’t believe you walked through snow barefoot!!!
I love Aussie winters too … I soooo miss the Aussie weather – it’s so true what they say about the awful UK weather. Even when it’s warm it’s usually too humid!!
lori @ thehealthminded.com says
Love the greek yogurt here as I think the tang would be perfect in this. My mom used to make something similar to this dish and it was wonderful and kids love it. A wonderful way to get them to eat that healthy plant – broccoli!
Helen says
It is a great way to get broccoli down yourself or someone else, isn’t it? Personally, I think I prefer it crunchy like this rather than cooked. The tang from the yoghurt is great – goes brilliantly with the other flavours. So glad you like it!
Louisa [Living Lou] says
Haha, oh my gosh, I LOVED your story Helen! That is too hilarious, I can’t believe you were able to pull of that surprise. Well done! And a delicious recipe to boot, but I just loved the story 🙂
Helen says
Hey, thanks so much, Louisa! It made for a pretty funny Saturday. This weekend has a lot to live up to … 🙂
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
OMG, I love this salad. Looks so delicious especially with the apples and raisins!!
Helen says
Thanks so much, Olivia. I loved it! 🙂
Rebecca says
I’ve just discovered your blog and I’m loving all the Greek recipes you have here, being a lover of Greece myself. Everything looks so yummy! I’m actually gearing up to start a food blog myself (just trying to think of a good name at the moment…) so it’s great to see how you have put together such a lovely website in just six months or so. Very inspiring! I’m definitely going to be a regular visitor here!
Helen says
Hi, Rebecca! So great to ‘meet’ you! It sounds like you’re at the point I was at about last year when I did a lot of thinking, researching and ‘gearing up’ to start. Around December time I decided on a theme and just went for it. I still feel like I’m at the beginning stages of things but really enjoying it and learning all the time. I wish you all the best with your blog planning and if you would like to email and ask me any questions then you are very very welcome. I know the basics at least!
Thanks so much for the compliments – they mean a lot! – and I’m looking forward to getting to know you a bit better. 🙂
Helen says
P.S. Another Greek recipe coming soon!!
Monet says
Secret agent or chef? Who knows!? What a funny story and what a wonderful salad. Beautiful, fresh, and crisp. Perfect for a warm day!
Helen says
Glad you enjoyed the story and recipe, Monet! I wouldn’t say I was either just yet. Chef-in-training and secret-agent-in-training, maybe? 🙂
Layla @ Brunch Time Baker says
This is the perfect summer salad. Hurry to light meals!
Helen says
I think you’re right, Layla. Shame it’s winter here in Perth, Australia. Oh well! Glad you liked the salad!
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes says
This story is hilarious, and so glad you eventually got to pull off the surprise. I was cracking up at “talked to the cat, talked to himself” oh boy. You guys are determined and it paid off. This salad looks so good and the pictures are stunning by the way! Pinning for sure 🙂
Helen says
Thanks so much, Jessica! It was pretty funny listening to him chattering away by himself. Thanks for the piccy compliments … and for the pin. 🙂
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
Positively full of the kinds of flavours that I like Helen. I have mastered raw sprouts so now I need to master raw broccoli.
Helen says
Raw sprouts sounds like a great alternative. I’ll have to try that! 🙂
Zainab says
Hahhaha that is so funny! I was picturing 007 scenes as I was reading this lol! I am glad your family was surprised in the end and you both had a great time. I am going to try to surprise my mother and the rest of my family in Africa this fall with a visit. So far only my sister knows..so hopefully it goes well! (shhhh don’t tell)
Helen says
Awww, that will be wonderful, Zainab! Well, hopefully you got some tips from this post, then. We can exchange notes afterwards. Your mum is going to be sooo happy to see you!
Joanne says
Well I’m certainly glad you guys pulled off the surprise in the end!! I’m sure it was a bunch of fun. This salad looks so tasty! Perfect for bbq season here in the US.
Helen says
Thanks, Joanne! Ooh, jealous about the BBQ-season (winter here in Oz of course). Never mind, at least it’s still quite sunny!
[email protected] says
This salad looks so appetizing with all these flavours and textures! Looks like a meal in itself! Bookmarked!
Helen says
Thanks so much, Ami. I ate it by itself and you’re right, it didn’t really need anything else! 🙂
Liz says
You pulled it off!!! What a fun surprise…and an adventure you won’t soon forget. Your salad sounds terrific and would be a perfect addition to our 4th of July gathering.
Helen says
Oh yes, you have 4th of July coming up! I felt like this was quite an ‘American’ salad as I was making it, so it’s good to hear that I was right. Glad you like it!