Let’s face it: sometimes you just aren’t in the mood . . . to cook. This is the danger zone. You worked all day, your house is a mess and you are hangry. This is really the danger zone. Be careful and don’t fall off the health wagon and do something stupid.

Here’s my go-to 10 minute dinner. A full meal for 2 adults. Like people you may have known in high school, this is fast and cheap. I’m calling it “Don’t Be Stupid Stir-Fry.”

Don’t Be Stupid Stir-Fry

In a large skillet, put just enough olive oil to cover a thin coat on the bottom of the pan and start on medium temp. First add one large chopped onion, any color. Then add 2 table spoons of chopped garlic. Let those 2 ingredients cook in the oil for about 5 minutes. Then add one large bell pepper, any color and one large spoonful of Golden Paste. Cook for 5 more minutes. Done. Serve with a moderate amount of brown rice.

Oasis Health Food Store in Tahlequah turned me on their Golden Paste. I buy one large jar and it lasts for 3 months. At $18, it’s high, but takes so little in each meal, budget for it. You could make it yourself with 4 ingredients: turmeric, coconut oil, water and black pepper.

I also splash on a bit of soy sauce. I use gluten free soy sauce, available at Reasor’s or Walmart. Who knew that soy sauce has gluten? It’s the caramel coloring and unless the product says gluten free, you can’t sort it out on your own between manufacturers.

When I have the time, I made the (cheap) bulk brown rice on the stovetop, but to save time, there’s 2 solutions. First, make up a big pot of brown rice over the weekend an keep in the refrigerator so you can throw it dishes all week. Or, get what we call “fast rice” – the packets like Uncle Ben’s that go in the microwave for 90 seconds.