• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp. vinegar , preferably balsamic
• 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

• Leftover cooked chicken , cut into small chunks (about 1 cup)
• 1 Tbsp. vinaigrette
• 1 small rib celery , chopped
• 1 small scallion , finely chopped
• 1/4 bell pepper (orange, red, green, or a combination), chopped
• 1 tsp. drained capers
• 1 tsp. chopped fresh parsley and 1/2 tsp. other fresh herbs if on hand (tarragon, basil, or marjoram)
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 1/2 to 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
• 1 tsp. plain whole milk yogurt
• Salad greens (about 2 cups)
• 1 Tbsp. chopped toasted walnuts

To make vinaigrette: Put salt, mustard, and vinegar in a small jar (an empty Dijon mustard jar is a good size) and shake it to dissolve salt. Pour in olive oil; shake again thoroughly. Taste, then adjust seasonings to your liking.

To make salad: Toss chicken in a bowl with vinaigrette and let stand 5 minutes or so. Mix in celery, scallion, bell pepper, capers, and herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place mayonnaise in a small bowl and stir in yogurt, then fold into bowl with chicken mixture. Arrange greens on a plate and add chicken salad; sprinkle walnuts on top.

Adapted from The Pleasures of Cooking for One, by Judith Jones, copyright © 2009, with permission from the publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc.