Single Girl Supper

Summer's at work for J are really busy. At times he is away for work a couple nights a week, and the other nights he doesn't get home until after 9. This really screws up my eating schedule (it's all about food for me). When I was single I was really good at cooking for one. I could whip up something nutritious and delicious and single serving without breaking a sweat. I seem to have lost that skill. It shouldn't be hard to fall back into it, right? I mean, it's just halving the recipes I make now or using my imagination when I look in the fridge. Most dinners when he's away consist of cheese. Just cheese. Sometime crackers, if we have them. This is after hours of procrastinating about what to make, dismissing everything as too much work or not what I want. If we happen to be out of cheese, I'll have ice cream. On a crazy night I'll have BOTH. It's terrible. I can usually convince Sarah to come over and eat with me (I lure her with seafood), so that helps, but since J and I seem to be in this for the long haul, I should probably make an effort to stop eating like a 15 year old every time he goes out of town.

Shrimp Caesar Salad

While this isn't a complicated or exciting recipe, it's simply delicious. Homemade dressing takes it a little beyond normal into amazing, and is totally customizable to your taste. You'll need...

• A hunk of day old good bread
• Garlic clove
• Olive Oil
• Small head of Romaine lettuce
• 7 jumbo shrimp
• Chipotle seasoning
• Parmesan cheese
• Caesar dressing (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut bread into chunks- the smaller the chunks the crispier your croutons. Toss the bread with a crushed garlic clove and a tablespoon or so of oil. Turn onto a baking sheet, grate a little parmesan over them (if you are cheese inclined). Bake for about 15 minutes or until browned and crunchy. Keep an eye on them, the baking time with fluctuate with the size you cut your bread into.

While the croutons are cooking, toss your shrimp in olive oil and some Chipotle seasoning. I use this one. It's crazy good. Cook the shrimp over medium heat for about 5 minutes on both sides or until done. Set aside and let cool while you make the salad.

Add Romaine and croutons to a bowl. Toss with dressing. Grate parmesan and top with shrimp. Enjoy!

Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon Sriracha

Add all ingredients to a bowl, whisk until smooth. I add everything to a jar and shake the heck out of it.

Here's the fun part- I add Sriracha because I love spicy. I normally add more that 1/4 teaspoon to be honest. You can add any flavors you like. More lemon juice, more garlic, less of anything. This makes a pretty thin dressing, so if you like yours thicker, try it with just 1 tablespoon of water and work your way up until it's the constancy you like.

** I promise my photos are going to get better! I'm practicing and stuff! **