shrimp avocado jalapeño salad

Ok, so this is a little awkward. I know I kind of hated on salads in an earlier post, so you're probably thinking this is super hypocritical, right?

I went through this phase in high school where I only ate Caesar salad every day. Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking either. As a result I was super skinny, but I was also cranky and irritated and kind of awful all the time. You can blame it on teenager hormones, but I'm blaming it on how freaking awful salads are. They're just never really filling or delicious. Be honest, how many times have you said to yourself thank goodness I chose to eat that garden salad instead of that maple brown sugar bacon? Now that I don't eat salads on a regular basis, I'm a much more pleasant person to be around.

But THIS salad. Whoooo, boy. This salad is a different story.

yeah, this salad freaking rocks.

These are words coming from a salad hater: make this salad right now. I'm serious. Make it for lunch tomorrow. Make it for every picnic you ever go on. Make it to impress your boyfriend's parents, but first make sure they don't have shellfish allergies. Make it for your next road trip. Make it for your awkward office potluck. Just, seriously, make this salad.

isn't this the prettiest dressing?

SHRIMP AVOCADO JALAPEÑO SALAD

makes 4 servings 

For salad:

1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, chopped in halves
1 pound jumbo shrimp, cut in halves or thirds
1 avocado, diced

For dressing:
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1 lime, juiced
1 tsp olive oil
pinch of salt, to taste
pinch of pepper, to taste
1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped

Combine cherry tomatoes, shrimp, and avocado in a large bowl. Tip: If you're transporting this salad to a second location, wait until you've arrived before you cut the avocado. Browned avocado is one of the least appealing foods in the world. :(

For the dressing, combine the first five ingredients, and let marinate for at least 10 minutes, to mellow the flavor of the onion. Add the jalapeño, then add extra salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Isn't that so easy? And pretty? And deliciousssss?

get at me