I Am Leaving My Husband.

You heard it here first. I am leaving my husband. Yup, after 12 years of marriage, I'm leaving. It's not that I've fallen out of love with him or am fed up with him. It's just that I need something a little different for a while.

And, it's not the first time I've left him. Truth be told, I've been leaving him about this time of the year for going on 5 or 6 years now. And, it's always for the same thing - a bunch of bimbos. Now, don't go blowing a gasket. It's really not what it sounds like. It's just Bimbo Weekend time.

Those of you who have been dedicated readers of Gail's Galley may remember a previous column about the Bimbos. It's not what you think. If you looked "bimbo" up in the dictionary, you would NOT find any of our pictures.

Nope, the Bimbos is a group of business women ranging in age from 60ish to 40ish (I'm the Baby Bimbo). Once a year, we get together for some "female bonding". Last year, it was in Atlanta. This year, it's in San Diego. Since husbands, significant others, etc. are NOT invited, you see how I'm leaving my husband for a bunch of bimbos. But, only for a long weekend.

This does, however, pose several problems. Normally, my husband will eat out while I'm with the Bimbos. Not only is this expensive, but it plays hell with his nutrition. If I'm not around, he falls back into the male version of the 4 food groups. Grains - beer and pretzels. Fruits and vegetables - the lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and onions on a burger. Dairy - sour cream onion dip. Meat - burgers, dogs, etc. The perfect meal is Barbarian Pizza: grains = the crust; fruits and vegetables = pizza sauce; dairy = extra cheese; and meat = sausage, pepperoni, salami, hamburger, etc. All four food groups and you don't have to dirty any silverware to eat it.

He also has a tendency to take food experimentation to a new level when left to his own devises in the kitchen. It's not that he is a bad cook. Quite the contrary, he's quite good (his Christmas duck was magnificent). However, like "Tim (the Toolman) Taylor" he believes in "more power". In this instance, it means he must use every pot, pan, bowl, utensil, etc. in the kitchen and, if the recipe or self-generated concoction calls for some esoteric, highly-unusual item found only in some remote bazaar, he will ferret it out regardless of the expense and/or hardship to himself and others.

Since I'm rather fond of my kitchen the way it is, I will cook for him before I leave. You can see that this is mostly out of a sense of self-preservation.

While I believe that variety is the spice of life, The Husband doesn't. So, lucky me, instead of having to make 3 different dishes for the 3 days I'll be away. I only have to make one big casserole. I make sure that it is one of his favorites and easy to reheat. Otherwise, I get to eat it when I get back and he has reverted to his male instincts.

Cajun Casserole

Serves 6.

2 half chicken breast -- boned and skinned

3 Louisiana hot links

1/2 medium red onion -- coarsely chopped

1/2 medium red pepper -- coarsely chopped

1/2 medium green pepper -- coarsely chopped

4 medium mushrooms -- sliced 1/4" thick

4 cloves garlic -- crushed

1 cup rice

2 cups chicken broth

1/4 teaspoon thyme

1/4 teaspoon tarragon

1/4 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon paprika

1 can red beans

Cut each chicken breast and hot link into 4 pieces and set aside. Coarsely chop red onion, red pepper, green pepper, and mushrooms. Crush 3 of the garlic cloves and mix into chopped vegetables.

In a medium size sauce pan, bring chicken stock to a boil. Add thyme, tarragon, oregano, basil, paprika, and remaining crushed garlic clove. Stir. Add rice. Stir. Cover and lower heat. Simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat.

Oil a medium casserole dish. Spoon rice into bottom of casserole. Open can of beans. Pour juice over rice. Spoon beans over rice. Place cut chicken and hot links on top of beans. Spoon vegetable mixture over meat.

Cover casserole with a lid or aluminum foil. Place in a 375 preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes (until chicken is completely cooked).