Simple Pleasures: Favourite Take-to-Work Salad

In the hilarious diner scene from "Intolerable Cruelty", George Clooney's character sums up all too well a common conception of salad: "iceberg lettuce and a mealy tomato wedge smothered with French dressing."

In contrast, here's my favourite take-to-work lunch salad, quick to make and satisfyingly balanced.  Pre-washed spinach, sliced red pepper, raisins, grated local Parmesan, bits of cooked chicken if I have some on hand, topped with a few grinds of salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.  (A balsamic vinaigrette is even better if I happen to have some mixed up.)

No chicken today, but that's okay

And it looks nice, too.

P.S. Apologies to Barbara Kingsolver and good locavores everywhere for the unseasonal combinations and trucked-from-California ingredients listed here. I haven't quite learned how to get through a Midwestern winter/early spring without leafy greens and red peppers. At least the cheese is local!