monday calls for crockpot meals and brownies

i used to not mind mondays at all. not this semester. i detest them. they are my busiest of all days so i like the have supper pretty much ready for me when i come home so that i can scurry off to meeting. tonight i made crockpot jambalaya and for my first attempt at it, it was delicious!

crockpot jambalaya

1 large chicken breast

1 16 oz turkey kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/4 inch slices

2 cups chicken broth 

1 can diced tomatoes with juice

1 6 oz can tomato paste 

1 bag frozen onion, celery and bell pepper mix

2 cups sliced okra 

2 tbsp creole seasonings 

1 tbsp minced garlic 

Oregano, thyme, black pepper to taste

Hot sauce, to taste

2 cups cooked brown rice 

1. Combine all ingredients except brown rice in crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
3. Remove chicken breast and shred. Return to crockpot and stir.
4. Serve over brown rice and season according to tastes. 

somedays you just need dessert. usually mondays. these brownies are easy to whip up and are actually not horrible for you. i modified them from the recipe on the box for fall and the product is a dense, fudgy pumpkin brownie that is even better topped with my mama's buttercream icing!

no-guilt pumpkin brownies 

1 box no-pudge fudge brownie mix

2/3 cup pumpkin purée

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 

1. mix together the bownieix and pumpkin purée. The batter will be very thick. Spread evenly into an 8x8 non-stick baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Top with buttercream icing and enjoy! 

my mama's buttercream icing

1 stick butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1 tbsp vanilla

2-3 tbsp milk, depending on desired thickness

1. cream butter in large mixing bowl. gradually add remaining ingredients and beat at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. 
2. makes enough for 24 cupcakes. store leftover icing in refrigerator. 

We had formal meeting tonight and commng up with an outfit was a bit difficult. It was hard because the weather is still warm but I don't want to wear any of my summer stuff and it's not quite cool enough for my fall clothes. also, I was not in the mood to dress up after my long day at school! The dress I decided on was simple and comfortable so it worked well for meeting! 

i am ending this long day with a call to my mama and a good nights sleep. i have a quiz, two tests and a lot of homework due this week so tomorrow i will have to hit the ground running!

xoxo, 

clp