Crash & Burnnnnnn :/

Well, bad news.  Fanatic computer = crash and burn.

Yep, nothing recoverable either.  It’s been a fabulous morning to say the least.

Anywho, these things are only material and life must go on… however I am really going to miss those few files and pictures that I didn’t backup and that I’m going to have to recreate 😦

But as they say, when the “going gets tough” the “tough get going cooking (?)”

So that’s what I did yesterday.  Stress relief via kitchen… is there any better way?

Here’s what I came up with 🙂

Spiced Brown Rice & Bean Salad

I wanted to come up with a delicious & healthy meal option for lunches this week – and since we had a large bag of my favorite brown basmati rice on hand, I knew just what to do!

We had plenty of fresh veggies on hand so I got to choppin’while the rice was cookin’ —>  cucumber, onion, tomato, red bell pepper.

I also chopped up some fresh basil & lemon basil plus gathered the dressing ingredients —->  apple cider vinegar, olive oil, coriander, cumin, salt, pepper.

Once the rice was cooked, I allowed it to cool for a few minutes before adding in the beans, veggies and herbs.  I mixed the dressing in a separate bowl and drizzled that on top as well.  Then gave the salad a nice big stir!

Yum!  Such a great mix of flavors & the cumin/coriander addiiton really kicked it up a notch 😉

I’ve had it for 2 meals already, ooops!

Spiced Brown Rice & Bean Salad

• 1 cup(uncooked) brown basmati rice
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cucumber, chopped
• 2 red bell peppers, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can northern beans, drained and rinsed
• handful basil, chopped
• handful lemon basil, chopped

Dressing

• 4-5 tblsp cider vinegar
• 2 tblsp olive oil
• 2-3 tsp cumin
• 2-3 tsp coriander
• sea salt
• pepper

Cook rice according to directions, allow to cool for 10-15 minutes once done.  Chop veggies/herbs and drain/rinse beans, add to cooked rice.  Mix up dressing and drizzle over salad, stir to incorporate.  Serve!

There was also some light baking on the agenda… I just couldn’t resist 😛

That would be a chocolate cake cookie topped with peanut butter coconut drizzle! 

Yea, they were that good 😉

Alright, well see ya back later.  I have a fun recipe on the menu for tonight, one that I’ve been curious about making for quite some time now!