Slow Cooker Monday

Rain again today. Ok, good for the gardens, so long as it doesn't create mold, fungus, or rust. I'm on a mission to get my gardens all in by the second week of July. After that, I just want to maintain, harvest, and enjoy.
Being a busy SAHM (stay-at-home mom), I've put into practice meal planning and a sort of cooking schedule. Mondays & Fridays are slow cooker days; most of us know this piece of equipment as a crock pot. Whatever name you want to give it, I recommend it highly, regardless of what hat you wear. The convience of throwing food into a pot, selecting a cook time and temp, and after turning it on, you can walk away. Wow, that's almost like having a chef you don't need to pay; it pays for itself. So, what am I cooking today? Take a look.

Chicken-Mini Penne Stew

2 1/2 c. chopped cooked chicken
2 medium carrots, bias-sliced 1/4 thick
2 Tbsp Dry Sherry
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
1/2 tsp grated gingerroot
1/4 tsp pepper
6 c. chicken broth
2 oz mini penne
1 6 oz package frozen pea pods, thawed

Combine all ingredients, except the pasta and peas. Cover & cook on low-heat setting for 6-7 hrs.
Stir in penne. Cover & cook on low-heat for 1 hr more. Before serving, stir in thawed pea pods. Makes 6 servings. (modified from a recipe found in Better Homes & Gardens New Crockery Cooker Cookbook)

*I like to use about half of the required cups of chicken broth; I find that the usual protocol makes it more like a soup instead of a thicker stew consistency. Today, I'm substituting chickpeas for the pea pods; I cook my beans, peas, legumes, etc ahead of time from dried; I then bag and freeze for convience.

My list for the week is in process; I've much to do just this week, let alone for a month to come. Today is my Mommy Monday; time with my boys to get started for the week. Places to go, things to do, people to leave in amazement of being able to handle two little ones under 5 & not totally losing my mind or closet drinking. To all the mothers in the world, these are the days to remember; children don't stay little forever.

~Momma

"For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control."
-2 Timothy 1:7