Reviewed: Oct. 21, 2005

Good salad - an interesting blend of flavors - I like the sweetness of the raisins mixed with the savory onions. I did blanch the broccoli for a few minutes, and doubled the dressing to moisten before serving. I would also reduce the amount of sunflower seeds as many of them were clumped up on the bottom of the salad no matter how much you mixed it.

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Blon-Dish

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Reviewed: Oct. 2, 2005

This was great! On the advice of others I reduced the sugar to taste, reduced the red onion to 1/4 cup, and made a 2nd batch of the dressing to mix in right before serving. I didn't have sunflower seeds so I used pine nuts (lightly toasted) and omitted the raisins since some people don't like them. I used the pre-cooked bacon since I'm lazy and just put the slices on some tin foil under the broiler to crisp them up. I received many compliments on this salad.

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Nikki

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Reviewed: Sep. 25, 2005

Perfection!...I made this for a group of fifty people. Everyone gorged themselves on it and asked for the recipie! Their was nothing left! Three catering trays were devoured!!! The only adjustments I made were as follows...I reduced the sugar, and sugared 'to taste'. I omitted the raisins, as most people do not like them, and replaced them with cashews(WOW!). I was able to find tri-colored frozen tortellini at a wholesale club and it really added to the presentation. I steamed my broccoli as well. Also, ***VERY IMPORTANT TO DO...DOUBLE THE DRESSING*** I added half the night before and the rest before serving. My advice is not to skip this very important step, it makes all the difference in the world. Folks, it doesn't get much better than this!!!!!!!

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TRACYCOOK

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Reviewed: Sep. 23, 2005

I was searching for a new salad to bring to an office gathering and came across this one. I decided to make it based on the ingredients and the fact that it was rated 5 stars. I did not change one thing with the recipe. It was EXCELLENT! Thanks so much!

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ANGELA DION

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Natick, Massachusetts, USA

Living In: Barrington, New Hampshire, USA

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Reviewed: Sep. 18, 2005

I've made this recipe a few times now and always get asked for the recipe. The flavours are wonderful!

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Diann

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Reviewed: Sep. 16, 2005

This was a wonderful recipe. People are constantly asking me to prepare for them

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SAREENA

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Reviewed: Sep. 12, 2005

I made this for a family cookout this weekend and everyone thought it was fabulous. I found I had to make extra dressing to get it as moist as I wanted and then had to add more the next day (after it sat in the fridge all night). I also used craisins (cherry flavored) instead of raisins. Great recipe, will definitely make again.

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BNNYBTT

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Lockland, Ohio, USA

Living In: Goodlettsville, Tennessee, USA

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Reviewed: Sep. 9, 2005

Very tasty! Nice change from the traditional (boring) pasta salad. Recipe has been requested everytime I've served it. Just a few suggested changes - double the dressing, blanche the broccoli, DECREASE THE ONION to about a 1/4, add lightly toasted cashews and use a combination of raisins and craisins. A little time-consuming but well worth it. I expect to be making this regularly in the future.

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jayne

Cooking Level: Intermediate

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Reviewed: Sep. 4, 2005

I made this recipe at the last minute for a weekend BBQ. It received rave reviews. I took MBUENZLI's advice and increased the dressing by using 1 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tb sugar and 3 tb cider vinegar. I also cut red onions to about ¼ cup. This is definitely a keeper. My family has me make it at least once a month.

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SIG20GIRL

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Reviewed: Aug. 23, 2005

Delicious salad. I get asked to bring this to every family get together.

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cher

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Reviewed: Aug. 21, 2005

Loved it! Just needs extra dressing if you are not going to eat it all that day. I believe the tortellini absorbed quite a bit of the dressing.

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NLNIEMEY

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Shoals, Indiana, USA

Living In: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

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Reviewed: Aug. 11, 2005

Very good. I doubled the dressing and it turned out perfect. I might try almonds instead of sunflower seeds next time.

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BIANCA4325

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Bakersfield, California, USA

Living In: Montgomery, Alabama, USA

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Reviewed: Jul. 17, 2005

This recipe has become a favorite. I've served it several times and guests ALWAYS want the recipe.

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AKMREM

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Reviewed: Jun. 30, 2005

This recipe rec'd great reviews at an evening BBQ I hosted for a tough NYC crowd. I steamed the broccili first, and didn't use so much red onion. The dressing was a bit sweet, so just added more mayo, and it was delicious. I'll make this one again.

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Jersey Girl

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Reviewed: Jun. 25, 2005

This salad (without the tortellini) is a favorite of my husband's. The addition of the pasta just shows how versatile the recipe is! The proportions on the dressing don't have to be rigid, typically I use 1 cup of mayonnaise (light mayo works fine), 2 tb sugar and 3 tb cider vinegar. This makes a generous amount of dressing to coat the ingredients.

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chellebelle

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Olympia, Washington, USA

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Reviewed: Jun. 25, 2005

This was a great salad that I served at my son's graduation open house. There was no leftovers and many requests for the recipe. I used one cup of mayonaise and 3 teaspoons of vinegar. I left sugar at 1/2 cup and put no raisins in it per my son's request. Everybody raved about it.

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Roxie H.

Cooking Level: Expert

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Reviewed: Jun. 16, 2005

This was good, but way too sweet for us. I used 1/4 sugar to 3/4 mayo and a good 2 Tbs. of vinegar. With the sweetness of the raisens, it was still just too much sweetness. I would probably try it again, but with even a bit less sugar and a bit more vinegar. It is a very cool combination of ingredients. It's got it all -- protein, veggie, starch....

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IMP70

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Reviewed: Jun. 16, 2005

EVERYONE RAVED ABOUT IT!

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LYN1642

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Reviewed: Jun. 4, 2005

Use less red onion, I used 1/4 cup. Substitute craisins for raisins, add more sauce, using lemon juice in place of the vinegar. I also shredded cheddar cheese in the salad. I took this to a potluck and everyone wanted the recipe!

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SANDI569

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Reviewed: Jun. 3, 2005

Update: I don't know why I didn't give this a 5 star originally, but I'm changing it now. We love this salad and I make it regularly in the summer. I double the dressing and am glad for the extra. It is a little sweet, so I use less sugar. I also only use 2 heads of broccoli. Usually use an entire pound of bacon. It's excellent!

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