Simple Brussels Sprout Salad

Is it a salad… or is it more of a slaw? Does that really matter? Just make it.

This super simple recipe doesn’t have proper measurements—measure with your heart and tastebuds.
There is no heartfelt story of Grandma passing this recipe down. There is no “eating this food will help you lose 8 lbs.”.
There is no gimmick.
This is just a seriously tasty and majorly simple side dish-or main if you add some protein.

What you need:
-Brussels sprouts (1 bag)
-Raisins, I used Golden Raisins (about 1/2 cup)
-Pecans (about 1/2 cup)
-Balsamic Dressing (amount based on preference)
-Goat Cheese (amount based on preference)

How to make it: 
1. Add raisins to a container and cover them in balsamic dressing.
2. Chop up your uncooked Brussels sprouts into thin shreds. If you have a fancy mandolin and some bravery, go this route. If not, I cut mine in half length-wise and then cut each of those halves into thirds. If my math serves me right, that would be cutting them into sixths? The goal is to have shredded yummy bits of Brussels. I’m not in your kitchen judging your mise en place, so just get your sprouts sliced and add those to your container, also.
3. Add pecans to the container, too!
4. Let sit in the fridge for at least half an hour so everything absorbs the flavor of the dressing. This also give the raisins a chance to reconstitute (aka soak up the dressing, plump up and get squishy).
5. Shake your container up to give it a quick mix. Add goat cheese on top. Serve and enjoy!

Variety is the Spice of Life!
Of course, you can totally switch up this base recipe based on your preferred flavors. Here are a few swap ideas…
-Instead of raisins, use dried cherries or figs!
-Instead of pecans, use walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts or pistachios. With it being (almost) fall, consider tossing in some pepitas.
-Use a different dressing! Go for olive oil and lemon, some dijon mustard, raspberry vinaigrette… the choice is yours, and yours alone.
-Swap out the goat cheese for feta, pecorino, etc.!
-Get wild with the add-ins. Yummy ideas include apple slices, bacon, shredded kale, chick peas, shaved radishes, etc. The sky is the limit. -Make it a main by adding a chicken breast, if you so please.

 

Enjoy!