Broccoli salad with pesto, apples & walnuts

Pesto Italian cuisine

Since the moment I discovered that raw broccoli is absolutely delicious, I've riffed on this raw slaw so many times that I probably couldn't pick the original out of a line-up. Thin slices of broccoli go with literally every other salad-friendly ingredient—from citrus, to dried fruit, to hearty, cooked grains, to pickles, to breadcrumbs, to canned or fresh legumes, to cheese. And best of all, broccoli stands up well to time. Meaning a salad made from broccoli is a make-ahead-lunch (or dinner) dream. This version, which pairs broccoli simply with sliced apple, chopped walnuts, and a flavorful pesto dressing, is my favorite of the bunch. I eat it year-round, on its own for a meal, or as a side.