Did someone say lunch?

I hope you do not eat those dreadful diet dinners at middday in the office cafeteria. Have you ever read the ingredients on the back? The words "all natural" will never appear on the label. Whenever I asked my colleagues what these marvels of technology tasted like, the answer was always, "it's Okay," or "it's not bad." Now Okay and Not Bad do not translate to good.

Try instead, Grapeshot's Chef's Salad.

If you want to take this to work, you will need a) a bottle of dressing (recipe follows), a small container for the "fixins" and a large container for your washed lettuce. Everything can be made up the night before (if like me, you are not a morning person), otherwise, do your slicing and chopping in the a.m.

This recipe is for two.

Lettuce for 2 servings. Be generous. Vary your varieties. This week we have had iceberg (on sale) Boston and Red Leaf. Wash and spin dry. Store in your large container.

Chop Up: cherry tomatoes, 2 inches of cucumber peeled, a few baby carrots, a scallion, whatever fresh herbs you have on hand (we like chives and cilantro) any fresh peppers, olives, artichoke hearts, whatever would be suitable for salad. Avocado is great. Add to this 2 slices of chopped lean ham. We like the imported ham that has less preservatives and less sugar. Toss in a handful of grated cheese.

Dressing: 1) Into container of an electric bender put: 1/2 cup wine vinegar or lemon juice, 1 1/2 cups salad oil (part olive oil) 1 t. salt, 1/4 t. coarsely ground pepper, 1 t. dry mustard, 1 cup crumbled blue cheese (any kind) and 1/2 small clove garlic. Cover and blend on low speed for 5 seconds. Switch motor to high speed and blend for 10 seconds longer. 2) pour into jar, cover and store in refrigerator. Beats store bought hands down.

To assemble, mix the chopped veggies, ham and cheese with the lettuce and pour on a a few T. of dressing and toss. Enjoy. Eat with bread sticks or place a few croutons on top if you like. If you are not watching weight, have a slice of good bread with real butter.

Throw those frozen dinners out. Frozen dinners are soooo Fifties. Are you mired in the Fifties? God, I hope not.

Enjoy a cookie after lunch. Life is short.

Grapeshot