Take A Bite Of: The easiest and best salad you will ever eat

While I earnestly ply you with all kinds of delicious and decadent baked goods, I am an avid healthy eater the majority of the time. My go to salad is one of the easiest (and best) salads you can make. I eat this or some variation at least 3x a week. I also make all my own vinaigrettes which are also super easy and super healthy.  From my kitchen to yours, enjoy every bite.

Spinach and Butter Lettuce Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette:

2 - 3 cups baby spinach leaves
1 cup butter lettuce torn
1/4 cup dried cranberries
sprinkle of goat cheese
pistachios or crushed almonds

Lately I have been using the Blue Diamond spicy almonds, placed first in a sandwich bag and crushed with a back of a spoon. This salad combines a little creamy from the goat cheese, with a sweet from the cranberries and a popping crunch from the nuts. Add an easy vinaigrette and you have a great lunch.

Champagne Vinaigrette (with no olive oil)
2 - 3 T honey mustard
1-2 T champagne vinegar*
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 shake of dried oregano

Place all ingredients in bowl and whisk. Added bonus: It takes less than 2 minutes to make this dressing.

You can easily use different types of mustard, flavored vinegars like red wine, white wine, balsamic, and I have also used lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, mango juice (in small quantities) to flavor. When I want a little olive oil, I use an amazing blood orange or raspberry olive oil for another layer of flavor. And when I want to add a kick, I use the adobo sauce in the can of chipotle peppers. Enjoy and Happy Saturday.

Also, because I just love to pimp Costco, you can buy organic baby spinach and butter lettuce in a completely manageable size for about $5 per carton.