Apple Broccoli Salad

This is a great recipe for using up the broccoli stems, something I used to throw in the garbage. Sigh. Such a waste. Now, I use all of the broccoli - stems and florets. This one didn't get huge reviews at home, but it's one of my personal favorites. It's light, which makes it perfect for a picnic or barbeque.

1 large head of broccoli
1 medium apple
2 clementines, peeled
1/8 to 1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar
3 to 4 T. raw soy sauce
Juice of one lime
1/8 cup hemp seeds
1/8 cup sunflower seeds
Real Salt to taste

Cut florets from broccoli and soak in a large bowl of water with about 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (or any edible acid). This is the most effective way to clean broccoli, getting rid of dirt and little bugs you wouldn't otherwise see. You'll be amazed at what you find in the bottom of the water when it's finished. Can you say, "Ew!"?

Meanwhile, remove the tough outer layer of the broccoli stem with a vegetable peeler. Slice the broccoli using the slicing blade of your food processor. Put in a bowl. Core the apple and slice in the same way as the broccoli. Put in same bowl. Peel clementines and section, then put in bowl. When broccoli florets are finished cleaning (10 to 15 minutes), rinse with cold water, slice in food processor and put in bowl. Toss the veggies with lime juice, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce and salt, starting with the lower amounts and increasing according to taste. Toss in hemp seeds and sunflower seeds.

Note: Because of the edible acids (lime juice and vinegar), this will stay fresh in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Not that you'll need to keep it that long - it's totally yummy!