Clearing out the closets....

Alot of things have changed for me since January, and recently I have had a veritable downpour of changing events regarding friendships, relationships, work, and as I can see from the devasting effects of a howling wind outside my window, even the weather is proving mighty ornery.
Ah well, previously these sort of circumstances would have had me hiding under a heavily scented duvet ( doona for our Australan friends) and asking myself what I had done wrong.  Now I am no doubt not blameless, in some of the many messes I create, but I can at least exit stage left with a bit of dignity and respect. Besides, I have a box set of 'Downtown Abbey' to watch, and those discs are not going to watch themselves.
So I did some metaphorical house keeping, and have decided I need something comforting, yet hopeful for dinner. Caesar salad it is then, with chicken, and bacon just this side of crisp as to almost-but not quite- be burnt. I kid myself this meal is healthy, but after adding chicken, bacon, grated parmesan and lots of dressing ( I use Gizzi Erskine's recipe from her 'Kitchen Magic' book when I make it myself, and Paul Newman's version when I am not being quite so good, but I reassure myself that the profits from my laziness go to charity, so it's not all bad).
It's so simple, put the chicken and bacon into an oven around 180-200 degrees-if you place the bacon over the chicken you only really need to add pepper, as the bacon will be salty enough. Then chop your Cos lettuce into easily forkable sized pieces ( for the ultimate in feel-good you want to be able to spear a piece of chicken and shard of bacon plus a piece of leaf onto your fork each time with no need for other messy time consuiming utensils-although it just occured to me that I must look pretty lazy if using a knife or spoon is seen as hard work) Wait until the chicken and bacon are cooked, tear them up into the afore-mentioned bite sized pieces then toss together with your chosen dressing and a large handful of grated parmesan. If you are feeling particularly indulgent sprinkle more parmesan over the finished salad, retire to a comfortable lounge and dig in. Which is exactly what I am going to do now, thankyouverymuch.