BROCCOLI SALAD WITH RED GRAPES, BACON, AND SUNFLOWER SEEDS

INGREDIENTS :

slices bacon
⅓ cup sunflower seed kernels
(1) large head broccoli, cut into bite-size pieces
⅓ cup diced red onion
1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp white sugar
(1) pinch ground black pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS :
Add and place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until evenly browned about 10 minutes, turning occasionally. Drain bacon slices on paper towels. Crumble (7) slices of bacon, add and mix with sunflower seeds in a resealable bag.
Combine the broccoli, onion, and grapes in a bowl.
Crumble remaining bacon slice. Add and whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and black pepper together in a bowl, fold in a slice crumbled bacon. Pour dressing over broccoli mixture; toss to coat evenly. Use a plastic wrap to cover the bowl and refrigerate for flavors to blend for 2 hours.
Sprinkle bacon-sunflower seed mixture over salad before serving, mix well.
Notes :

Stick to the red grapes with raisins and apple cider. However, you can use chopped pecans or toasted sliced almonds instead of sunflower seeds.
Make sure to add the crumbled bacon and sunflower sees right before serving time. In that way, the bacon and sunflower seeds stay great and crunchy, which enhances the overall texture and flavor of the whole dish.