Lunchbox Pack Up #1

Steamed shrimp & carrots and loaded baked potato. 

I never liked cooking until I moved into my own apartment when I was a junior in college. The prep work, waiting for the food to cook, and the clean up afterwards didn't interest me, so instead I would hop in my car and drive down Paul Bear Bryant Dr. to Chipotle and grab three chicken tacos or a chicken burrito bowl. Quick, easy, and less than $7. And then it got to the point where my budget could no longer afford Chipotle-or any other restaurant for that matter- three times a week, so I had to come up with my own solution. I had to make my own meals at home or else I'd be broke. 

Even though that story took place only two years ago, I've learned that cooking for one can be as easy or complex as you make it, but it always keeps you from contemplating whether to put gas in your car or grab another burrito bowl. (Yes, I've contemplated that before! I was sooooo young...and hungry!) With this new blog series, I'll be sharing what I like to cook and how I pack a lunch for work (for my working ladies and gents!)

Today, I honestly just threw together a meal. I had some left over fresh shrimp, carrot slices I've been trying to get rid of, and a baked potato I didn't get around to making last night. Running late as usual, I steamed the carrots until they were tender, but not flimsy, then steamed/sautéed the already seasoned shrimp (I used pepper, garlic salt, and Mrs. Dash for my seasonings).

Once I did that, I threw it all in a skillet to cook together a bit more before draining the steam water/oil and dumping (yep, I just threw it in there) the mix into a plastic container. I put cheese, bacon, and butter all in the same sandwich bag for my potato and threw it in my lunch box and headed out the door. Once lunch time rolled around at work all I had to do was heat everything up and enjoy!

What are some of your favorite dishes to create and pack up for lunch?