Searching For #EqualCanada @WalmartCanada #CBias . {Recipe}

I was very excited to be invited to shop for Equal at Walmart as part of my involvement with Social Fabric and the #CBias community.  The purpose of the shop was to search for granulated Equal on rollback at Walmart {$7.97} and use it to prepare a recipe.  I had a busy few days at work, so needed a recipe that would be good to pack up for my take-along lunches.  It also had to be something that Hubs could feed Princess Destructo.  Since we are true carnivores, I used the keyword "BACON" when searching the Walmart Meal Solutions App {Facebook}.  A yummy looking Sunny Broccoli Salad popped up in the search and I was inspired to make this.  Since the goal was to make a recipe using Equal, I hopped over to their website and scored a similar listing for Bacon and Broccoli Salad.  After combining the ingredients list from both of these recipes, and checking my pantry, I needed to go shopping for a few of the items.

So off we rode to my favourite Walmart.  It was a family adventure with the three of us munching McDonald's french fries as we shopped.  I had all my prep work done~ lists in hand and coupons clipped.  I do about 90% of my shopping at Walmart because they PRICE MATCH their competitor's advertised prices.  And I can do all my shopping in one stop. Carseats are a pain in the butt, so getting most of my weekly shopping done in one place is convenient.

My shopping list:
sunflower seeds
red onion
raisins
vinegar
Equal
broccoli
dishwasher tabs
diapers

It felt good to finally find Equal, I've done 2 other shops for #CBias and been
unsuccessful up until now.  Sorry this ended up sideways
and I don't know why?  It looks fine in the google + album though

Shopping is thirsty work, and the canister photo made me crave coffee and pie.
I read the label as I sipped, and was impressed that this light
275 gr package was equivalent to 5 pounds of sugar!

I love the wide opening that gives easy access to
the contents.  Equal in this canister sweetens cup for cup like sugar.

Broccoli and Bacon Salad
1 lb of broccoli florets (fresh not frozen)
1 small red onion, fine diced (about 1/2 cup)
1/3 cup raisins* I use dried cranberries
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
3/4 cup light salad dressing or mayonnaise
1/2 cup Equal® Spoonful*
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons white vinegar
A pinch of Salt and pepper to taste
4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
1/4 cup sharp cheddar finely, shredded.

This is the recipe I chose from the Equal Canada page.  There is also a similar recipe on the Walmart facebook page.  In the right-hand sidebar, search under the Meal Solutions App ~ "Sunny Broccoli Salad".  This is my absolute favourite salad!  After seeing the amount of sugar that was in the original recipe (1/2 cup of white sugar) I stopped making it at home.  But have been known to eat large quantities of it at Baby Showers and Church pot-luck dinners.  I was glad to find an alternative recipe on equalcanada.ca.   I changed a few minor parts to suit my family tastes (Princess chose dried cranberries instead of raisins and forgot the red onion so skipped adding it).  Since we were on our way to visit "Grandma" and "Poppa" for the Family Day long weekend I figured this would be a good recipe to share while there.  My Mother-in-law always takes such good care of us when we visit and I wanted to contribute to the family meals.

The dressing ingredients were simple and quick to mix because
I wasn't wrestling with a soft package.  I had forgotten to
buy the vinegar, but luckily I hadn't left Walmart yet and popped into McDonald's to
ask for some, they very kindly gave me 3 packets, enough for this recipe.

I try to have all my ingredients ready and accessible.  This helps me
see if I have everything I need, and speeds things up a bit.

Turns out I forgot to buy the red onion and didn't remember until I
got all the other garnishes ready.  The clearance chocolate really
did a number on my attention span, I was so distracted!

I added sharp cheddar even though the original recipes didn't call
for it. I always put cheese on our steamed broccoli so
figured it would be a tasty addition.

The moment of truth- Princess Destructo tried it but said;
"I don't like sauce on my bwocowi Mommy."

Verdict & Final Word:
I give this recipe a thumbs up, but would reduce the amount of Equal called for in the original recipe to 1/3 cup instead of 1/2 cup for the dressing.   Head over to Equal Canada to view the original recipe and instructions.  And I invite you to check out the Google + Album highlighting my full shopping experience and recipe making journey.

Equal loves to hear from their fans.  Visit their site for more great recipes and ideas on balancing a healthy lifestyle.  Follow Equal Canada on Twitter and LIKE them on Equal Canada on Facebook too.




Disclosure:
“This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias.  All opinions remain honest and are my own.”  *The Broccoli Salad recipe was borrowed from Equal Canada and adapted to suit my family's likes.