Broccoli Salad and Chipotle Mac & Cheese - success and failure

Well... I had both success and failure in the day's cooking adventures.  The Broccoli Salad is fantastic - but I knew it would be.  It's a recipe from my Mom, and she's an absolutely fabulous cook so I had no doubts. 

But the Chipotle Mac & Cheese was from one of the foodie blogs I frequent, so one can't be sure until one tries the recipe oneself.  It was waaaaaayyyyyy too spicy - and I LOVE heat in my food, and I STILL think it was waaaaayyyy too spicy!  Mark's comment when he tasted it:  "I love you honey, but your experiment is a failure."  He actually started referring to it as "the barely edible mac & cheese."  He's not one to mince words - and I love that about him.  Just tell it like it is.  I appreciate that.  I don't even think the Mac & Cheese is worth re-working to tone it down.  Think I just have to accept defeat on that one.

So, here's the recipe for my Mom's Broccoli Salad.  It was the succes of the day!


Donna's Broccoli Salad
Source:  My Mom
(Printable recipe)
Ingredients
Salad:
1 bunch broccoli, broken into small flowerets
1/2 c red onion, chopped
1 c celery, chopped
8 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
1/2 c hulled sunflower seeds
1/2 c golden raisins or craisins

Dressing:
3/4 c mayonnaise
1/4 c sugar or Splenda
2 T apple cider


Directions
Combine salad ingredients in large bowl. Combine dressing ingredients; pour over salad and toss. Serve chilled.  (NOTE:  I used turkey bacon, and it worked just great.)

Enjoy!