my favorite fall salad

I admit that I grew up not liking salads. I'm still not crazy about iceburg lettuce with carrots and tomatoes, but I've learned that salads can be very different from what we had in my youth. This is one I regularly make for lunch because it's so dang fun that I forget I'm eating well. And yes, I know it's currently winter and feels a bit like summer. But whatever, this is my fav fall salad.


1.5 cups baby spinach
1.5 cups butter leaf lettuce
1 hard-boiled egg, broken or chopped into small pieces
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup toasted, chopped pecans
1 T chopped gouda or feta cheese
2 T balsamic vinaigrette

Toss both lettuces with balsamic vinaigrette. Top with egg pieces, cranberries, pecans, and cheese. Bon Apetit!


**optional variation for dinner: add 1 grilled chicken breast, cut into pieces. If making for dinner for 4, use:
6 cups baby spinach, 6 cups butter leaf, 4 boiled eggs, 1 1/3 cups cranberries, 1 1/3 chopped pecans, 1/4 cup cheese, and 1/2 cup dressing.