Momma Aimone's Messy Life

It's time Momma Aimone got busy in the kitchen.  The past eight weeks have been crazy and to be honest, I wasn't able to put dinner on the table as much as I would have liked to.  But you know what?  That's okay, because I'm still adjusting to being a full-time working mom and, as many of you know, it's not easy.  Being a parent in general is not easy, then add in a long commute, a busy travel schedule and an intense career...sometimes, you just need to order take-out, or cook a frozen pizza.  However, it's time I stop making excuses and get back to cooking at home because, quite frankly, our checking account, and waistline, hate me.  Here is what we are having for dinner this week. Sunday, May 20, 2012 Chicken Noodle Soup  (adapted from allrecipes.com) I like chicken soup to be a little chunkier, so my adapted version does not have a ton of broth.  If you like more broth in your soup, feel free to add more chicken broth and decrease the amoun...

I have always been scared of making red beans and rice, mostly because my husband loves them so much.  On Friday, I tried making them in the slow cooker.  It was a success! Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice  (from Weight Watchers Best Eats) Serves 4 Ingredients --1 small onion, chopped or 1 Tablespoon onion powder* --1 garlic clove, minced --2 crisp-cooked bacon slices, crumbled** --2 cups chicken broth --1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained --1 (10 3/4 ounce) can crushed tomatoes --1/2 cup uncooked white rice --2 tablespoons minced chipotles in adobo --1/2 teaspoon dried oregano --1/2 teaspoon salt --1/2 teaspoon black pepper --1 tablespoon chipped cilantro * I didn't have an onion, so I used 1 Tablespoon onion powder and it still turned out great! **I used the pre-cooked Oscar Meyer kind found in the refrigerator section to cut down on time. Directions 1.  Spray a medium nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and p...

This is a great salad to make on Sunday night for lunch during the week, or a quick side to whip up for a summer picnic.  It has a fresh, light taste and is a great alternative to a tired old pasta salad.  Plus, it's a Weight Watchers recipe (4 pts per 1 1/4 cups serving).  What could be better! Tortellini Salad (from Weight Watchers Best Eats) Serves 8 Ingredients --1 pound package of frozen spinach tortellini --1 can (15.5 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained --1 can (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered --1 pint grape tomatoes, halved --1 1/2 cups of shredded red cabbage --1 medium yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced --2 scallions, chopped --2/3 cup reduced-fat Italian dressing --3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese --1/2 teaspoon salt Directions 1.  Cook the tortellini according to package directions.  Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water. 2.  Meanwhile, combine the beans, art...

On Monday, I had a few girlfriends over for dinner.  Without my slow cooker, it would have been so hard to pull dinner together after work while getting the little one ready for bed.  Luckily, the black bean and corn salsa chicken cooked all day while I was at work and the rest was easy to throw together when I got home.  There was even enough chicken leftover to make two freezer meals for later. Black Bean and Corn Salsa Chicken  ( www.sixsisterstuff.com) Ingredients -2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed -2 cans corn, drained -1 package taco seasoning -4 to 5 chicken breasts -1 cup salsa -3/4 cup water or chicken broth Directions -Put beans, corn, taco seasoning and water/chicken broth in slow cooker and mix together until seasoning is dissolved. -Place chicken breasts on top and spread salsa on chicken. -Cook on low for 8 hours. -Shred meat. Serving Suggestion I served with flour tortillas, hard taco shells, cilantro, shredded cheese, sour cr...

This is another SUPER easy and SUPER delicious pork taco recipe.  This recipe made a ton, so we froze half for another time.  I still love the slow cooker pulled-pork tacos  but this recipe has a much different flavor.  I hope you enjoy! Slow Cooker Chile Verde Pork Roast   (from www.letsdishrecipes.com) Ingredients --2.5 lb pork roast  --16 oz bottle salsa verde (green salsa) --3 tablespoons lime juice Directions 1.  Place pork roast in slow cooker. 2.  Pour salsa verde and lime juice over roast. 3.  Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. 4.  Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. 5.  Return to slow cooker and stir. Serving Suggestions -The original recipe suggested combining a chopped onion with one cup fresh chopped cilantro.  Then at the end, stir in one half of the onion cilantro mixture to the slow cooker and using the rest as a topping with chopped tomatoes.  -I served with chopped tomatoes, avoca...

It's been awhile since I posted, mid-February through March is always a crazy time for me.  Hopefully things have settled down and I can get back to putting dinner on the table every night.  Last night we had this stew.  I liked it because it was hearty and filling, but not too heavy.  Though the title says it is spicy, I don't think it is too spicy.  I actually think next time I would dice the onions and double the cumin and chili powder.  I hope you enjoy! "Spicy" Chicken Stew   (from sixsistersstuff.com) Serves 6 Ingredients --2 baking potatoes, peeled and cubed into chunks --1 package frozen sweet corn --2 stalks celery, chopped --2 carrots peeled and cut into chunks --1 onion, thickly sliced --2 cloves of garlic, minced --1 jar salsa --2 teaspoons kosher salt --1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin --1 teaspoon chile powder --1/2 teaspoon black pepper --4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts --2 1/2 cups chicken broth Directions 1. ...

I have been dying to try this recipe and was finally able to this week.  It did not disappoint! Fire-Roasted Tomato and Italian Sausage Grinders  ( from Better Homes and Gardens) Serves 10 Ingredients --10 uncooked hot or sweet Italian sausage links --2 cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained (14.5 ounces) --1 can crushed tomatoes (28 ounces) --1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar --6 cloves garlic, minced --2 teaspoons dried basil --1 teaspoon dried oregano --1/2 teaspoon salt --1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper --1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper Directions 1.  Place sausage in slow cooker. 2.  Add undrained diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, red pepper and black pepper. 3.  Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Serving Suggestions I served mine on toasted hoagie rolls with provolone cheese and sauteed green pepper and onions.