Bullety, Edition 15; When The Working Day Is Done

• I've a new appreciation for my Mom. She raised two kids all on her own, while working full time. I just don't get how she did it.  I also see a method to her madness. Going to work must have been a fantastic break for her!  (So far, I'm loving my job!) That said, if it wasn't for John being a work at home Dad, I couldn't do it.  I don't think about the kids at all during the day. Maybe "think" isn't the right word. I don't worry. He's got it all under control and I think he's really enjoying being with them and taking an even more direct and active roll in raising them.

• Yet still ... can he not multi-task?  I swear, I come home to a bomb every night. His response is that he's so busy with them, he doesn't have time to do everything else. I wonder if he always thought I had a clone in the closet I pulled out while he was working. I've sat them all down and something has to change.  I'll make lists and be sure they stick to them.  It's just not fair that I come home after working nine hours to find the house a mess and dinner, though made, not cleaned up after.  I also don't think I should have to use up a whole Saturday morning just getting caught up.

• Doing my Presidential Duty, I also wanted to point out, if you're in the Ottawa area, that the Co-Operative Nursery School Of Almonte (click through to our site, designed by the fabulous Alison) is having a Mom to Mom Sale on October 20, 2007 from 10am-2pm in the Almonte United Church Hall on Elgin St in Almonte.  It's a great chance to get some big bargains on kids clothes and items or to sell your own.  I am pretty sure there are also still a few tables available.  Details are on the website!

• This time of year, I always turn to my crockpot for wonderfully comforting fall meals. Now that I'm at work, I depend on it even more.  So, your mission is this:  if you comment on this post you have to give me one (or six!) of your favourite crockpot recipes.  Go!

Comments

[Pendullum]

Oh Geez, Crockpot recipes????
Geez Louise!!!!
I always wing it....
But how 'bout this one....
It is indeed oneofmy favourites...and best of all I JUST found it on the internet... thereby saving me the chore of writing it out for you....
So here it is doll....ENJOY!!!!
http://www.foodtv.ca/recipes/recipedetails.aspx?dishid=5731

[sherry]

The world's most ridiculously simple crockpot recipe that I love:

Aztec Beans

-2 cups of dried black beans
-1 jar of salsa at whatever heat level you like (we use mild because of our wuss child)
-seasonings that you like (I use garlic powder, onion powder, and a couple of whole bay leaves)

Soak beans in a covered pot overnight, in about 6 cups of water. In the morning, drain and rinse, then dump them in the crockpot. Pour salsa over the top. Stir to coat. Add seasonings and stir again. Pour in enough water to just cover the beans (usually about 1 or 1 1/2 cups). Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

Make some rice and serve beans over it. Delicious.

I love that they're called Aztec beans, because the Aztecs, they had lots of jarred salsa. :)

[Melissa]

My oldest and easiest crockpot recipe is chicken & veggies with mushroom soup served on rice. (everyone knows this one right?)

* 4-6 chicken breasts (We use boneless skinless)

* Add 1-2 cans of "cream of mushroom" soup (any cream soup would do but this is my fav) 1 for minimal sauce, 2 for extra saucey

* Add favorite veggies (If I have time I cut up fresh celery & green peppers and red onions) If I dont have time it's frozen. I guess you could add mushrooms too but I dont actually like mushrooms. (Ironic eh?)

* Cook on high for 4 hours minimum

* Serve on rice (or pasta depending on your kids)

If you're leaving it all day I would use 2 cans of soup. We usually use 2 cans since we like it extra saucey.

Sorry for the rambling recipes.... mine are all like that. I tweak them to suit me.

Looking forward to the other comments & recipes.

[Melissa]

...and thanks for admitting that working outside the home is a break. I've been working p/t during most of my 5 year SAHM term and I absolutely think it's a break too. I hate it when working moms can't admit it.

[Soire]

I just snagged a table at Mom to Mom show! :D

OK:

Lamb Shanks in the crock:

1 Can Peeled Spiced Diced Tomatoes,
1 Cup wine
3 Lamb shanks
4 Carotts
1 Onion
Oregano, Bay Leaf, Rosemary Salt/Pepper to taste.

Toss it in. If the juice doesn't cover the shanks, add more wine! (Kidding really, it'll simmer out :P) Crock on Low for 8 hours, or high for 4. Meat will fall of the shanks.

I'm going to try this tomorrow with a lamb shoulder I think.

A.

[Carolyn J.]

Rib Chili

Not much of a real recipe here...buy a rack of ribs and count the bones. Sprinkle the ribs with salt & pepper and brown under the broiler, turning once. Cut the ribs between the bones and toss into the slow cooker with your favourite chili recipe - just leave out the other meat.

Let this go for at least 10 hours, or until the meat has come off the bones. Pull the bones out, free any remaining meat (you counted your bones right??) and toss the meat back in. Eat!

I wouldn't eat this every day because it's kinda greasy, but that rib meat is GOOD.

[Lyns]

Three words: Fix-it and Forget-it..ok so it's six words..but its the best crockpot cookbook!!! Haven't commented in a while.. but Im sooo excited about your job!! enjoy your crockpot...xo lyns

[urban pedestrian]

I don't have a crockpot recipe, but the single best piece of advice I can give you as a working mom is to get a cleaner. You will never, ever keep on top of the housework if you work outside the home all day and it will slowly drive you crazy and cause you to freak out regularly at your family. Really, get someone in once a week or once every other week to give the place a good going over and then you can relax. You can enjoy your weekends. I know it sounds like an unnecessary expense, but it's totally worth the money. Totally.

[chris]

Crock Pot Recipe:

1 package Taco Seasoning Mix
2 can diced tomatoes (I use the one's with chili's and garlic in them)
4 bnlss/sknlss chix breasts

_____________________

Place chicken on bottom of crock pot, pour taco mix over chix, pour tomatoes over. Set on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5.

(I then use the tomatoe mixture as substitute for 1/2 the water in instant rice. Instant Mexican Rice :-))

[jennie]

I'm going to have to come back here to print some of these ideas. I made this soup on Friday and it was really good. I used pre-cooked sausage (the kind you might use on pizza) and it saved the pre-crock pot work. It was a big hit.

http://www.bhg.com/recipes/recipedetail.jsp?recipeId=37015

(I also made it a double batch and it took quite a bit longer)

[ali]

all my crockpot recipes are at home...but i'll send you some. my crockpot and i are total besties. i love her in the winter! :)

[Nancy]

Being a working mom is hard, hard, hard. Most of that is the mom part, admittedly, but 40 hours a week outside the home is tricky too.

Some crock pot faves:

Slow-Cooked Pineapple Chili (yum!)
http://www.wegmans.com/greatMeals/recipes/frameset.asp?recipe_id=9404&url=displayrecipe.asp&direct=false

Italian Chicken (SO easy)
http://www.recipezaar.com/155672

Slow cooker pot roast
http://www.recipezaar.com/155672

And there's one more for beef barbecue that I can't find right now -- if I do I'll send it along. :-)

[alison]

There are days when I *can't wait* to drop the girls at daycare for the school bus and get to the office. My office. With no whining (except my own), no child mess, and grown-ups to talk to.

Chinese Pepper Steak

1 large (or 2 small) simmering steak (I used cross-blade) cut into big chunks (not bite-sized)
2 medium cooking onions, cut in fairly long, skinny pieces
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1 small-medium green pepper, chopped
1 small-medium red pepper, chopped
garlic powder
ground ginger
~ 2 tablespoons beef Bovril (liquid beef bouillon)
1/3 cup ketchup
soy sauce

Brown steak in a little oil on both sides and put in slow cooker.

Sauté onions and mushrooms in same pan in the meat juices and put in slow cooker on top of steak.

Sprinkle with a little soy sauce.

In a 2-cup measuring cup, put the ketchup, Bovril (a good squeeze from the bottle) and a few shakes of garlic and ginger (not too much garlic or it won't taste right.) [I made up this recipe, so the measurements aren’t exact] Fill the measuring cup up to the 2 cup mark with water, mix well (to dissolve the ketchup) and pour over meat and veggies in slow cooker.

Cook on low 8 to 10 hours. About 1 hour before serving, add chopped peppers (you might only need half of each pepper depending on how much steak is there). When ready to serve, turn slow cooker to high and thicken the mixture it corn starch and water.

Serve over egg noodles, fusilli pasta, or rice. MMmmmmmmm. I’ve served this to guests, and they always ask for the recipe.

[alison]

Umm, I left out the word "concentrate" as in "~ 2 tablespoons beef Bovril (liquid beef bouillon concentrate)"

You want it the way it comes out of the bottle, not diluted to the actual bouillon. Or you could use a couple/three oxo cubes.

You know.

[Mar]

Hi! I have never commented here before but I just want to thank you for all the wonderful crock pot recipes! I am the mom of 2 small girls (think 2 and under!) and hubby is a shift worker so often there isn't much time for cooking dinner! Here is my fave:

Salsa Chicken:

Throw chicken breasts in slow cooker (frozen or not!) add salsa to cover (usually about half the jar for 2 breasts) and cook on low until dinner :) The chicken comes out moist and tender and just falls apart! I use the chicken to make enchiladas, or tacos or just serve with rice and veggies! Enjoy.