Nicoise Inspired Lunch

Welcome to back to school season.  I know it can be tough, getting back into the routine but we all have to do it.  For me, September is about renewal.  It's the start of the year for me, time to establish new habits.  While I haven't been writing much about food I sure have been thinking about it, the eating more so than the cooking.  I totally get why people don't feel like cooking at the end of the day.  So here's a big hint - when you do cook make lots for leftovers, freeze what you can or take the rest as lunches.  Let me tell you about a salad I take for lunch pretty regularly these days.

This creation is inspired by the French Nicoise salad and is a great way to use the leftover veggies we see at the market this time of year. 

Nicoise Salad:
Ingredients:
Any of the following or whatever else interests you at your local market these days

• a couple of boiled, bbq'ed or roasted potatoes
• handful of green beans, cooked or raw depending on how you like them
• cucumber
• tomato
• peppers
• olives
• hard boiled egg, peeled and cut in quarters
• tuna, leftover chicken or shrimp
• beets, pickled or roasted cut in quarters.

• Balsamic, Italian or Sweet Onion vinaigrette

Instructions:

1. Place each item in it's own section on your plate or lunch container.  Yes, they can touch but you don't toss them together (but you could really, I won't be by to check...)
2. Place the dressing in a separate container and drizzle it over everything just before you eat.

That's it.  It's that simple.  Great way to use leftovers!