Many, many moons ago I was a single girl living in a junior one bedroom apartment with my cat. I already had the cooking 'bug' at this point, but the tiny kitchen sometimes prevented me from making anything too elaborate. And some nights, weary from work, all I really wanted was to go home, make a big salad, and watch Freaks and Geeks (which was still on the air at the time). This is how the "Single Girl" salad was born. While I'm no longer single, I still like to make this on nights when dinner is "fend for yourself".

It's probably loosely based on a salad my mum may have made when I was younger, but basically it's a bunch of veggies (and fruit) that would make up my ideal salad. Over the years, I've updated some of the ingredients. Iceberg lettuce has been replaced by an herb salad mix (it has parsley and dill and other lovely herbs mixed right in), and I upgraded to an English cucumber (I think they're less watery than the normal variety). I also used to add a big handful of croutons, but have since given those up. However, if you'd like to add them to your salad, don't tell me about it. I kind of miss their crunchy goodness and it will make me jealous (If I had time, I'd make my own damn croutons). My beverage of choice with this was a Stewart's Key Lime Soda, but I now find that a glass of carbonated water really hits the spot.

'SINGLE GIRL' SALAD

you favorite lettuce of choice
6 to 8 grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes (cut in half if they're small, quarters if they're larger)
1 small can of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 to 1/2 of an English cucumber (I makes slices and then quarter the slices)
1 avocado, diced
1/4 pound shrimp meat (rinse and pat dry with a towel)
salt and pepper to taste

Salad dressing of choice (mine is Good Seasons Garlic and Herb)

As far as directions, basically add everything to a bowl and mix together. I've found that adding the lettuce last keeps you from making a GIANT salad. Also, I try to add the avocado near the end too, to prevent it from turning brown.