Welcome to Another Edition Of...

...Tell gnomi What to Do!

Today's topic? Shabbat dinner.

I'm at a complete loss as to what I should make for the main course for dinner for Shabbat. The parameters are:

-- Not a gigantic amount of prep time (given that I don't necessarily have any time to cook until after work on Friday afternoon)

-- Dairy or pareve

-- Few if any nuts

-- Ingredients easily procured at a standard grocery store, kosher grocery store, or Trader Joe's

Other than that, the field's wide open. Suggestions greatly appreciated (and anything that doesn't get made for this meal will be filed away for future reference).

Once I've got the main course figured out, I'll figure out sides (our dinner guest is bringing a salad). I have a handle on dessert already.

ETA: I've decided to go with stuff that can be made on the stovetop instead of requiring the oven. So I'm making the Black Bean Chili suggested by seborn and Spanish Rice. Thanks to one and all for your assistance!

You Don't Say...

So here, verbatim, is the text of spam I just got:

Hello,
And... oh, no marrer! Much obliged to ye, Old Wolf - faithfulThese bullocks were handed over to those of the company whoBlood escorted him to the entrance ladder at the foot of whichproposed that the Arabella and her prize should return to Tortugawhich he was master.no more.assure you I am calm. I am asking you a question, Lord Julian.You're so very hot, now! The doctor linked his arm through Peter's.severe in character.THE SERVICE OF KING WILLIAMBlood. Yesterday I had his own explanation of that tale of Levasseurrefitted for sea on the other, Captain Blood was pondering the riddleto line the bulwarks and view the great stately vessels that weremarry her.girl?Nuttall.

Huh?

A couple of snippets of it I can understand:

-- "No marrer." Not a problem; Passover was months ago.
-- "These bullocks were handed over" -- clearly a reference to some korban (sacrifice brought in the Temple. See Leviticus.) or other

But the rest of it? Completely flummoxing.