On the eve of the nation’s 250th anniversary, families and friends across the United States are preparing to mark the holiday with a summer cookout. A potluck salad that’s been a showstopper at Meggan Hill’s family gatherings for more than 50 years should be on your picnic table. The creamy side dish is sure to get your guests’ taste buds fired up.
“Midwestern food is often judged or almost dismissed because some of the classic recipes include a fair amount of mayonnaise. … They deserve more attention though, if you ask me,” said Hill, a food blogger and author of “The Culinary Hill Cookbook: Modern Home Cooking With a Midwestern Heart,” released June 16. “Not because we’re trying to impress anyone. Just because we’re trying to feed them well and hopefully leave them with a happy memory — or at least happy taste buds.”
Rich with mayonnaise and cheddar cheese and flavored with bacon, the nostalgic broccoli and cauliflower salad will convert even those with a strong dislike for veggies. As a Midwestern celebration food, it’s a side that should be enjoyed when the occasion calls for something more indulgent.
For Hill, a Wisconsin native, food was the centerpiece of every gathering while she was growing up.
