Momma Aimone's Messy Life

Anyone who has ever lived with me - my parents, my sister, my college roommates and sorority sisters - know that I am not a neat person.  I love piles, I leave clothes lying around everywhere, I leave dirty dishes in the sink, you name a bad habit and I probably have it.  But ever since we bought our house last April and had our son in June, I have had a overwhelming urge to have a clean house.  Maybe it is because friends and neighbors stop by unexpectedly and I'm embarassed to open the door.  Or maybe it is because my baby boy is about to crawl and I don't want him putting my earrings in his mouth.  Whatever the reason, it is time to get my house in order.  And seeing that I am probably only one of five working mothers in the greater metropolitan area that does not have a housekeeper, I created the daily chore list you see below.  I'm hoping, wishing and praying that this really works, that I get my weekends back and that I finally have a clean house...

After being sick on Friday, a fun baby shower on Saturday and folding/putting away clothes all day on Sunday, I had zero desire to plan a menu/go to the grocery store.  That's when I realized I didn't have to, because I had enough frozen meals to get us through the week.  So here is what Momma Aimone's family is having for dinner this week. Monday Serves 4 Ingredients -1 onion, chopped -1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic -2 cans chopped green chile peppers (4 ounce) -4 teaspoons ground cumin -1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper -1 can chicken broth (14.5 ounce) -2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts -3 cans white beans (15 ounce), rinsed and drained -1 can black beans (15 ounce), rinsed and drained -1 can whole kernel corn, drained Directions 1.  In slow cooker, mix together onion, garlic, green chile peppers, cumin, cayenne pepper, chicken broth, white beans, black beans and corn.   If you like your chili a little thicker, puree one of the cans of white beans first. 2...

I posted this BBQ Chicken recipe back in October, but wanted to share it again because I tried something new that was delicious!  Instead of serving this delicious pulled chicken on boring old hamurger buns, I used it to make BBQ Chicken Pizza that, in my opinion, was better than what I used to get at California Pizza Kitchen.  I used Sweet Baby Ray's Hickory and Brown Sugar this time and it was the perfect amount of sweetness for this recipe.  And, the best part is it only took me about 20 mins to prepare once I got home from work!  I hope you enjoy. BBQ Chicken Pizza (adapted from allrecipes.com) Ingredients -2 lbs chicken breasts -1 bottle BBQ sauce (18 oz) -1/2 cup Italian salad dressing -1/4 cup brown sugar -2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce -1 onion (cut into rings) -2 teaspoons minced garlic -1 Pillsbury refrigerated pizza dough -1 cup of your favorite shredded cheese Directions For the BBQ Chicken 1.  Mix BBQ sauce, Italian dressing, brown ...

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches  (from allrecipes.com) Ingredients 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts 1 bottle buffalo wing sauce (17.5 ounces) 2 tablespoons blue cheese or ranch dressing 2 tablespoons butter Directions --Place chicken breasts in slow cooker. --Pour buffalo wing sauce over chicken. -- Add dressing and butter. --Cook on low for 8-10 hours. --Shred chicken with two forks before serving. Serving Suggestions Serve on top of hoagie rolls with a few celery sticks and your favorite potato chips or roast some potato wedges for homemade fries.

This recipe makes 4 cups of filling, which I was able to make into 4 meals.  I made 12 enchiladas (had half for dinner and froze the other half) and then I froze the remaining 2 cups to use for tacos one night later this winter.   We  I love all Mexican food - tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, etc.  And, this recipe is SO good, I know we'll be making it again and again. Shredded Chicken Filling  (adapted from America's Test Kitchen Slow Cooker Revolution) Makes 4 cups Ingredients -1 onion, minced (I used 1 tablespoon onion powder) -3 tablespoons chili powder -3 garlic cloves, minced -2 teaspoons ground coriander -2 teaspoons ground cumin -1 can tomato sauce, 8 ounces -1 1/2 teaspoons sugar -2 pound boneless chicken breasts -Salt and pepper -1 tablespoon lime juice Directions 1.  Add onion, chili powder, garlic, coriander, cumin, tomato sauce and sugar to slow cooker. 2.  Season chicken with salt and pepper, add to slow cooker a...

From the book Don't Panic - Dinner's in the Freezer Serves 3 Ingredients -3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts -1 can pineapple slices, drained (16 oz) -1 can mandarin oranges, drained (15 oz) -1 onion, cut into chunks (optional) -1 green pepper, cut into chunks (optional) -1/4 cup cornstarch -1/2 cup brown sugar -1/4 cup soy sauce -1/4 cup lemon juice -1 teaspoon salt -1 teaspoon ground ginger -1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper Directions 1.  Add chicken to freezer bag. 2.  Mix together pineapple, mandarin oranges, onion, green pepper, cornstarch, brown sugar, soy sauce, lemon juice, salt, ginger and red pepper. 3.  Pour mixture over the chicken in the freezer bag. 4.  Remove air from bag, seal and place in freezer. 5.  When ready to use, thaw the chicken mixture overnight in the refrigerator. 6.  Once thawed, place contents of bag in your slow cooker. 7.  Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours (or less, depending on how quickly y...

I posted this recipe in January 2011, and am reposting because...it is that good.  I have made this a number of times and think I finally have the ratios right.  I also recommend skipping the bottom pie crust, it never comes out right for me.  I also "hate" cubed chicken, it grosses me out.  So, I cooked the chicken, chicken broth, carrots, peas and celery overnight in the slow cooker and shredded the meat in the morning and then finished assembling the pot pie.  You could also add corn and/or potatoes but I find this hearty enough without either. Chicken Pot Pie  (adapted from allrecipes.com) Serves 8*   Ingredients -1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts -1 cup sliced carrots -1 cup frozen peas -1/2 cut sliced celery -1 can chicken broth -2/3 cup butter -2/3 cup chopped onion -2/3 cup flour -1 teaspoon salt -1/2 teaspoon black pepper -1/2 teaspoon celery salt -1 3/4 cups chicken broth -1 1/3 cups milk -2 (9 inch) unbak...

My dear friend, Kerri Schlenker, is a new working mom whose resolution this year is to be a more efficient meal planner.  Of course, I was more than willing to help her out.  In her freezer right now are chicken breasts, ground beef, pork chops and a roast.  Below are a few recipes to help her get started on her 2012 meal planning.  And, there should be some leftovers so her and KC can have a healthy lunch during the week. Chicken Taco Soup  (from allrecipes.com) Serves 8: This is one of my favorite recipes, plus it's just Kerri and KC who are eating, so there will be plenty of leftovers for lunch or to freeze for dinner later this winter. Ingredients -1 onion, chopped -1 can chili beans, undrained -1 can black beans, drained and rinsed -1 can whole kernel corn, drained -1 can tomato sauce, 8 ounce -1 can or bottle beer -2 cans diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained -3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts -1 tablespoon chili powder -1/4...

Last month, my grocery store had London Broil Buy 1, Get 1 free...so of course I bought two!  With the first I made beef fajitas (be sure to check out the Weekly Menu: 12/11/11-12/17/11 for the recipe ).  With the second, I made the following.  Both were fabulous! Slow Cooker London Broil  (from allrecipes.com) Serves 8 Ingredients -2 pounds flank steak or london broil -1 can cream of mushroom soup -1 can condensed tomato soup -1 envelope dry onion soup mix -1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce -1 tablespoon red wine vinegar Directions 1.  Add cream of mushroom soup, condensed tomato soup, dry onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce and red wine vinegar to slow cooker and stir. 2.  Add meat. 3.  Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Serving Suggestions We had ours with mashed potatoes and green beans.  The sauce was delicious over the mashed potatoes.  Next time I might serve with crescent rolls or biscuits.

My bestest friend, Kristen Anders, bought me an AMAZING cookbook for Christmas - "American's Test Kitchen Slow Cooker Revolution."  I am serious when I say everything in it looks delicious.  I had a pork roast in my chest freezer from a stock up sale a few weeks back, plus some cranberries leftover from Christmas, so the recipe below was made without having to go to the grocery store.  Score!  Plus it was DELICIOUS!  Full disclosure, I tweaked it a bit in order to make less mess in the kitchen...but it was still delicious. Pork Loin with Cranberries and Orange  (from America's Test   Kitchen Slow Cooker Revolution) Serves 6 Ingredients -1 boneless pork roast, trimmed (4 1/2 to 5-pound) -1 can whole berry cranberry sauce (14-ounce) -1/2 cup dried cranberries -1/2 cup orange juice -1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon Directions 1.  Add cranberry sauce, dried cranberries, orange juice and ground cinnamon to slow cooker and stir. 2.  Nes...