In Praise of Broccoli?

I'm picky.  Yes, I will say it again.  I. AM. A. PICKY. EATER!  I have been forever and maybe someday I will out grow this stage; I am making strides.  I hated chicken until I was 34.  I enjoy chicken a couple times a week now.  I LOATHED broccoli- okay, I sort of still do.  One little piece of broccoli floret can ruin an otherwise wonderful creamy cheesy soup.  Yup, even if the broccoli bit has been removed the floret has done its damage.  The soup can not be revived.  All I can taste is the bitter, overpoweringly green flavor of broccoli.

Broccoli stems on the other hand, don't taste so much like broccoli- they taste green.  I'm good with green, just not bitter, green broccoli- I know hard to tell the difference.  As long as there are no broccoli heads, I can eat the stem.  How, pray tell did I discover this gift?  I love pho and was looking for some bean sprout substitutions because my local grocer was out of bean sprouts.  My brave husband suggested a bag of julienne broccoli, carrots and cabbage cleverly disguised as "SLAW."  I tried it in my pho and it tasted like crunchy green veggies.  I tried it in a salad.  It was edible.  I tried it chopped up in my lettuce wraps, and the flavors melded perfectly together.  What a happy vegetable!  So now each week I pick up a couple bags of "Broccoli Slaw" and use it for the different veggie creations on the menu.  I feel better knowing that I am not villainizing this veggie anymore... I'm still not eating the bushy part though!

Mexican Fused Broccoli Slaw

1 package (12 oz) Broccoli Slaw Mix (julienne broccoli, carrots & cabbage)
3 Roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup finely chopped green onion
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 avocado, diced
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup salsa verde
1 teaspoon salt
1Tablespoon vinegar
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1 Tablespoon cilantro
Optional 1/2 black beans or corn

Toss all ingredients together in a bowl.  Let set for 20 minutes.  Eat and enjoy. It tastes even better the next day too. This becomes a super yummy meal paired with Buffalo Chicken!