Cranberry Artichoke and Almonds Salad

There are few things more disappointing than a bland salad when you're out to dinner. Picture if you will  pale green  iceberg lettuce and a single chubby onion slice and if you're lucky half a cucumber. Or the giant "All you can eat" salads with a lone olive, cherry tomato and pepperocini for you and your dinner counterparts  to spar over. Bah. Boring.

 I love a great greens salad, and try to come up with interesting concoctions to keep my tastebuds interested. Plus, salad is awesome for your health (unless you pour a cup of ranch dressing on it, although tempting, is just no good for you...)

Cranberry Artichoke and Almonds Salad ( one serving)

-1 cup spring greens

-2 marinated artichoke hearts

-2 T. dried cranberries

-1 T. parmesan cheese

-T. red onion

-1 T. almonds

Dressing: -1 t. olive oil

-1/2 t. red wine vinegar

- pinch salt and pepper

Mix and drizzle over salad. 

This salad was a creation when I was just trying to liven up the household salad rotation, and it was a pleasantly different surprise. I was skeptical at first combining artichoke hearts and cranberries, but the flavors were very complimentary. And who doesn't need more excuses to eat artichokes? I could probably live off them if I had too...