Crunchy Broccoli Apple Salad with Cranberries

This is one of those salads that tastes a little different after an hour in the fridge. The broccoli softens just enough to lose its raw bite, the apple stays crisp, and the yogurt dressing settles into everything. I make it the morning before I need it and stir it once more right before it goes on the table.

Broccoli is a member of the cabbage family, and it is one of the vegetables that keeps its texture well when it is raw and chopped small, which is why it works so nicely in a salad like this. Cutting the florets into small, bite-size pieces matters more than you might think. Big chunks sit heavy and push the dressing to the bottom of the bowl, while small pieces pick up the yogurt and carry the flavor into every bite. Leave the apple unpeeled. The red skin adds color, and it also holds its shape better than a peeled apple would after a few hours.

The dressing is simple: Greek yogurt and mayonnaise for body, a spoonful of honey, and a splash of apple cider vinegar to brighten it. Taste it before the vegetables go in. If it reads a little flat, a pinch more vinegar will wake it up. Once everything is tossed together, I like to keep the bowl covered in the refrigerator, and it will hold well for a day. After that the broccoli starts to turn a bit soft and the apple can brown at the edges, so this is best eaten within a day or so.

Dried cranberries and walnuts do the job of adding chew and crunch, and the unsweetened cranberries keep the salad from tipping too far toward sweet. If you like a sharper bite, the red onion can be soaked in cold water for a few minutes first to mellow it.

For a relaxed lunch, I serve this beside something warm and savory. It pairs well with a simple grilled chicken plate, and a roasted vegetable side makes it feel like a full meal. Here are a few recipes from this site that work nicely alongside it:

• Zesty Lemon Yogurt Grilled Chicken for a bright, tangy main
• Spiced Yogurt Roasted Cauliflower if you want a warm side on the same plate
• Skillet Turkey Tacos with Avocado when the table is getting a little festive

Leftovers keep in a sealed container in the fridge. Stir them well before eating, since the dressing will have loosened a little.