Women at work and their tips, challenges, advice, complaints, and experiences

Whether you're a Workerette juggling a job outside the home, an at-home mom, a work-at-home mom or all of the above *yikes!*, you've probably wondered if a slow cooker would be useful for you.  I'm personally learning that the answer is a resounding YES!  Even if you aren't a mom (or perhaps, are a gramma or great-gramma), planning ahead can only be a good thing.  It makes the budget a little less likely to break, the days a little more efficient, and with recipes like the ones these ladies are sharing, it can make dinner healthier and/or tastier! 

I just spotted this recipe today and can't wait to try it - it just figures that I'd find it after yesterday's grocery shopping trip!  Perhaps next week, eh?

What You Need:

• 1 lb bulk Italian sausage
• 1 - 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 - 15.5 oz can chili beans
• 1 - 15 oz can black beans, rinsed/drained
• 1 - 2.25 oz can sliced ripe olives, drained
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 small green pepper, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 C grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 T quick-cooking tapioca
• 1 T dried basil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• Hot cooked pasta (I'd try this over whole grain ziti or rotini)
• Shredded part-skim mozzarella

What To Do:

• Cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.
• Transfer meat to slow cooker and add next 13 ingredients (down to the pasta; save that for serving time).
• Cover and cook for 8-9 hours on low, or until slightly thickened.
• Remove bay leaf.
• Stir and serve over pasta with cheese topping.  YUMMMMM!

Don't forget to stop by Diary of a SAHM and see what Sandra and the other Slow Cooking Thursday participants are cooking up!