The best laid plans....

So, last night, about 5:15 I started to feel weird. Shaky, tired, just off. Earlier in the day, I'd noticed a wheeze, but blew it off as nasty yellow pollen. My husband's ears have been so bad he hasn't been able to fly. However, as I started to feel so awful, I realized this was NO allergy.

So, instead of heading to the grocery store, I sacked myself out on the couch and watched the latest episode of Lipstick Jungle and Big Shots (TIVOed from AGES ago). My temp was slightly elevated, but not too bad. At bedtime I took my shot of NyQuil and passed out into never never land. At about 3 or 4 AM I started to get really cold, and at 7 AM my husband points out that I am now "radiating heat." Two Motrin and two more hours of sleep, and I am feeling good enough to make a smaller run at the grocery store for the necessities.

Alas, my grand plans of Strawberry Jam and Eggplant galore are dashed. C'est la Vie. No, C'est la FLU.

So, this weekend I get to go through my magazines, think up plans for NEXT week, and do a few more lazy-woman jobs.

I do want to say how HAPPY I am that I froze all those meals! I so don't want to stand for hours, so instead I whipped out a bowl of frozen chili and spicy black beans. A little rice, and we'll be good to go! I might even have J try to whip up some Chipotle Basmati rice to go with the beans. I found it on an Internet forum that I frequent. VERY tasty!

1tsp Vegetable oil or butter
2 tsp fresh cilantro
2/3 cup white basmati rice
1 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1 lime
In a 2 quart heavy saucepan heat oil or butter over low heat, stirring occasionally until melted. Add rice and lime juice, stir for 1 minute. Add water and salt, bring to a full rolling boil. At boiling, cover, turn down and simmer over low heat until rice is tender and the water is absorbed, about 25 minutes.

I have successfully doubled the recipe, but when I tried to quadruple it, I burnt the bottom of the rice. I also usually end up adding a little bit of water towards the end, as I find the water dissipates before the rice is cooked.

Very good with some spicy black beans. Orangette (gosh, I just LOVE her) has a great "in a hurry" version. I will save my full batch for another day!