Broccoli Slaw with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing

Have you ever eaten a food for the first time and loved it so much that you wondered where it had been all your life?  Of course you have!  I think we've all had that moment, at least once.  I, personally, have many of those moments, and the latest one came from an unexpected place:  Walmart.  I was in their produce department a couple of months ago, looking for one of their complete salads in a bag, when I discovered a new one - a broccoli slaw salad with orange dressing.  It piqued my interest and I had to give it a try.

It was so simple, just the slaw and orange dressing, but absolutely wonderful.  I happen to love broccoli slaw, but would never have paired it with anything orange.  Oh, how I would have missed out on this bright flavor combination, had I not taken a chance.  It was so crisp and refreshing - I loved it from the very first bite!

By the time I finished, I knew I was going to have to come up with my own version, and soon!  I thought about using a mixture of plain yogurt, orange yogurt and orange juice to duplicate that dressing, but at the last minute decided to use poppy seed dressing as the base.  I still might try that variation, sometime down the road, but my family really liked the slaw this way, even my husband.  He was the one I was afraid wouldn't care for it.  He's not a huge fan of orange-flavored things but to my surprise, he loved it, proving it by having 2 helpings.

Now that we are in the midst of summer, this cool salad will make a big splash at any gathering!

Here's your Cast of Characters.

2 Bags of broccoli slaw
1/2 Cup red onion, finely diced
1 - 6 Oz. orange yogurt (whatever brand you like best)
1 Cup poppy seed dressing (your favorite bottle will work)
1/2 Cup pulp-free orange juice - do NOT use "from concentrate" juice
1 Tsp. sea salt
1/2 Tsp., each, black pepper, onion powder and garlic powder
1/8 Tsp. cayenne pepper

Place slaw and onion in a large mixing bowl.  In a smaller bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients until well combined.

Pour over slaw mixture and stir well.

Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour, before serving.

Enjoy!