I need to lie down.

The Romans had the right idea...lie down to eat. Or at least immediately afterwards.

As promised, Leda took the bus out to PA this afternoon, carrying CSA chicken, dulce de leche, and a few bottles of wine. After a quick stop at the grocery store (yes, occasionally I shop at the Grand Union), we came home to cook.

First step: marinate the chicken. The recipe is from Leda's yiayia. (Yiayia is the Greek word for grand- mother; Leda and I are both Greek.) It's called Peloponnese chicken with orange. I cannot in good conscience give the recipe here because it isn't mine to give. You'll all just have to wait and buy Leda's book when it comes out next year. Suffice it to say that the orange gives the chicken a distinct tang without being overly sweet. Garlic, rosemary, and tomatoes are also essential.

Dessert was another recipe from Leda's book: coconut- banana rice pudding. It's a sweet, creamy concoction with caramel overtones (thanks to the dulce de leche); Leda came up with it on an island off the coast of Brazil where she was forced to work with an unusual collection of grocery items. As usual, I get carried away with dessert...by the end, I need to stretch out on the couch and groan softly to myself.

How wonderful to have someone come to your home and cook for you. Even better when you get to pitch in. Now I have to go lie down.