Broccoli, Bacon, and Sunflower Seed Salad

I may never forgive my friend, Sarah, for bringing this to a potluck yesterday. Today, I made the recipe for myself, and ATE THE ENTIRE THING! (Will leave the results to your imagination). It was sooo worth it! YUMMM!

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Serves: 9

Ingredients

• 1⁄3 lb  cooked bacon (Applewood smoked by Neuske's is my favorite, cook slowly to extra crisp)
• 2  cups fresh broccoli, raw
• 1⁄2 cup raisins
• 1⁄2 cup  roasted  salted sunflower seeds
• 1  cup mayonnaise (Best Foods or Hellman's)
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 2  tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. While slowly cooking bacon to extra crisp, soak raisins in HOT tap water. Drain bacon on paper towels. Drain raisins. Pour extra fat out of frying pan.
2. In same pan (keeping the fond (browned bits), toast sunflower seeds lightly for one minute.
3. Make dressing by combining mayo, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add crumbled bacon, sunflower seeds, and raisins.
4. Trim florettes from top of rinsed, raw broccoli - toss into dressing. (You COULD choose to nuke or steam broccoli, but would loose much of the crunch). Use veg peeler to remove tough part of broccoli stem, then dice and add to salad. Toss, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.