Girl's night in.

Please note that the "girl's" is singular. Yes. Singular. As in: just one.... all alone.... by herself..... ahem....myself.

Richard is out of town (tear.)

I have the house to myself. Wahoo..... I get to take out the trash, water the garden, and walk/ try not to kill four dogs for an entire week by myself.

So, clearly I am cooking for one.... which looks like this:

Simple baked sweet potatoes and roasted asparagus 

with roasted shallots and a maple balsamic reduction sauce.

Looks really healthy, right? 

You would think when I am not cooking boy food (lamb chops, steak, pasta etc....) that I always feast on nutritious meals as pictured above........

Um, last night I ordered Dominos. Just saying. 

Simple Baked Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:

Sweet potatoes

Cinnamon

Sea Salt

Olive oil

Yep. That's it. 

Method:

Slice sweet potatoes about 1/4 inch thick. Toss in olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake 45 minutes or until golden brown. Turn 1/2 way through cooking. 

Maple and Balsamic Reduction

Ingredients:

1/4 cup maple syrup (the real stuff)

1/4 cup +2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

salt and pepper

Method:

Combine ingredients in a small saucepan over medium- high heat. Bring to a simmer and let bubble for 3-5 minutes until reduced by 1/3. Season with salt and pepper. 

I usually put this sauce over steak, but it was delicious drizzled over asparagus. 

Also wonderful for a night in: Stags Leap Petite Syrah (it comes is a half bottle!)

Favorite. Wine. Ever.