7 Minute Lunchtime Salad

Today I came home to make a quick lunch before heading back to work for a meeting. I didn't have a lot of time, but I wanted to eat something fresh and reasonably healthy. I decided to throw together a quintessential NW pub salad (greens, fruit, nuts, and a little cheese. If you want to get really NW, you can throw on some smoked salmon too). For my salad I used fresh arugula dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette, nectarines, smoked almonds, and goat cheese. A salad like this will usually cost $12- $14 in a restaurant, but you can make it at home for next to nothing and in almost no time.

Arugula, Nectarine, and Smoked Almond Salad with Goat Cheese
serves 2
1 large bunch arugula, washed and torn into small pieces
balsamic vinegar
olive oil
salt and pepper
1 tsp jam (I used strawberry, but any kind is fine)
1 nectarine, sliced
1 handful smoked almonds, chopped
some crumbles of goat cheese for each salad

Pour a little balsamic vinegar into a large bowl. Add the jam, a few shakes of salt, and a few grind of pepper. Whisk together until jam is dissolved. Add a little olive oil in a stream and whisk until you have a desired consistency.  Place arugula in the bowl with the dressing and mix well with your hands or with salad tongs. Divide the dressed arugula between two plates. Top with nectarines, almonds, and goat cheese. Serve immediately.