Recipes

Salad is the perfect start for a break-up meal because it's light. Heavy dishes make us lethargic. "One more night" turns into a week, a week into a year, and before you know it you've got three beta rugrats screeching for their Ritalin Rigatoni, and you've lost control of your life and the remote—not good.

For the pesto: toast pine nuts in a pan over med-high heat for 5-10 minutes (until they become fragrant). Toss them into the food processor with the basil, garlic, parmigianno regiano cheese. Slowly stream in 1/4 cup of good extra virgin olive oil. Blend until smooth.

In a big bowl, mix mesclun lettuce with pesto. Set aside

In a pan, reduce the balsamic vinegar with a pinch of brown sugar until it looks syrupy and sticks to your spoon.

Place the salad in Asian take-out cartons, which whisper: "I'm playful... now get the fuck out." Top with figs, slices of toasted baguette smothered in goat cheese, and drizzle with the balsamic reduction.

Enjoy!