Thumbprint Cookies

2/3 c. butter
1/3 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs, separated yolks from whites
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c. sifted all purpose flour
3/4 c. finely chopped pecans
1/3 c. strawberry or cherry preserves

Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add the egg yolks, vanilla, and salt and beat well.  Gradually add the flour, mixing well. 

Shape into 3/4 inch ball, dip them into the egg whites and then roll them in the nuts and place them 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet.  Press down the center of each cookie with your thumb.  Bake at 350 for 15-17 minutes.  Cool slightly, remove from pan and cool on rack.  Just before serving, fill the centers fo the cookies with jam.  I warmed the jam slightly to make it easier to work with...it set back up as it cooled. 

Red-Apple Walnut Salad...

4 red apples chopped
1/4 cup orange juice
2 (16 oz. bags mixed salad greens)
1 (6 oz. carton Gorgonzola cheese)
3/4 cup pomegranate seeds or raisins
1 recipe candied walnuts
1 recipe winter salad dressing

One half hour before serving time, combine apples and orange juice to keep apples fresh.  At serving time drain off juices.  Place everything in a bowl and mix.

Candied Walnuts
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbs. water
1 cup walnuts

Line a baking sheet with well-greased foil or parchment paper.  Place sugar and water in a small saucepan; stir to moisten sugar evenly.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook and stir until sugar melts and caramelizes to a rich brown color.  Watch carefully so it doesn't burn.  Remove from heat and add walnuts and stir with a fork to cover.  Place nuts on baking sheet in an even layer.  Let cool until caramel hardens.  This step can be made days ahead if needed.

Winter Salad Dressing
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil or olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup honey

In a quart jar combine all dressing ingredients.  Shake vigorously.  Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.  Dressing can be made a few days in advance if needed.

So Simple Instant Pot Saucy Meatballs

Ingredients:

Frozen Italian Meatballs (I've heard the ones from Costco are great, but I just grabbed a bag from the grocery store)
1 bottle Sweet Baby Ray's Original BBQ Sauce
water

Dump meatballs in the instant pot.  (I filled my 6 qt. pot about 1/2 full.)  Pour 1 cup of water over the meatballs and then dump 1 to 1.5  cups of the BBQ sauce over the top of the meatballs.  Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.  When it beeps and is done, turn off the Instant Pot and let the pressure naturally release for 10 mins.  Quick release the rest of the pressure and open the pot.  Stir the meatballs and serve over rice or mashed potatoes with a green salad and/or veggies.  You could also serve these as an appetizer without the rice.

If you were doing more meatballs you would want to add a little more water and more BBQ sauce.

Pork Lettuce Wraps

Sauce:
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup warm water
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon ketchup
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon red chili paste

Filling:
3 Tablespoons sesame oil, or olive oil (This was a lot, especially using ground pork.  I would use 1 TB sesame oil and 1 TB of olive oil in the future.  I ended up draining a lot of fat off the pork before adding the onions, etc.)
1 lb. fresh ground pork, finely ground
1/4 cup shallot or onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup canned water chestnuts, diced  (I didn't have water chestnuts so I used matchstick carrots, roughly chopped)
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar

12-16 Butter lettuce leaves or Boston Bib (may use Iceberg)

Instructions:
Rinse the lettuce leaves. Drain well. Pat dry with paper towels. Place in a plastic bag and keep in the refrigerator until ready to use.

In a small bowl stir together 2 Tablespoons sugar and 1/4 cup warm water until dissolved. Add the soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, lime juice, sesame oil and chili paste. Mix well. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium/high heat. Stir-fry the pork quickly in the oil breaking the meat up as much as possible. Add the onions, garlic, and water chestnuts and continue to stir-fry until the pork is cooked through and the onions are soft. Add the brown sugar, soy sauce and rice wine vinegar. Cook until the liquid has evaporated. Should only take a couple of minutes. Serve warm.

Serves 8 as a side dish or 4 as a main dish.

** You can buy the chili paste at most grocery stores...Sambal Oelek Ground Fresh Chili Paste, Huy Fong Foods, Inc.

Thanksgiving Dressing

recipe from:  Epicurious

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter plus more for baking dish
1 pound good-quality day-old white bread, torn into 1" pieces (about 10 cups)
2 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
1 1/2 cups 1/4" slices celery
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided
2 large eggs

Preheat oven to 250°F. Butter a 13x9x2" baking dish and set aside. Scatter bread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, until dried out, about 1 hour. Let cool; transfer to a very large bowl.

Meanwhile, melt 3/4 cup butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add onions and celery. Stir often until just beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add to bowl with bread; stir in herbs, salt, and pepper. Drizzle in 1 1/4 cups broth and toss gently. Let cool.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk 1 1/4 cups broth and eggs in a small bowl. Add to bread mixture; fold gently until thoroughly combined. Transfer to prepared dish, cover with foil, and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of dressing registers 160°F, about 40 minutes. DO AHEAD: Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Uncover; let cool. Cover; chill.

Bake dressing, uncovered, until set and top is browned and crisp, 40-45 minutes longer (if chilled, add 10-15 minutes).

Makes 8-10 servings

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole

3 cups cooked and mashed red sweet potatoes
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1/3 cube of butter (softened)
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla

Mix together the above ingredients and place them in a greased baking dish.

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cube butter (softened)
1 cup chopped pecans

Mix together and sprinkle over the top of the casserole.  Bake 350 for 35-45 minutes.  I like to make 1 1/2 x the crumb topping.  I like a large nut to casserole ratio!

Notes:  I peeled and cut two very large sweet potatoes into about 2 inch chunks and cooked them in a mesh strainer/steam basket on high pressure in my Instant Pot for 5 mins, did a quick release, drained the water and used a hand mixer to mash them.  This ended up being almost exactly 3 cups of mashed sweet potatoes. 

Corn Chowder

1 Large Onion, chopped
1/2 lb. bacon, diced
3 cups chicken broth
1 17oz can creamed corn
1/4 tsp. marjoram
2 stalks of celery, diced
2 cups grated, raw potatoes
1/2 c. butter
1 can evaporated milk
parsley (optional)

In a heavy kettle, cook bacon on low heat, but do not brown.  Add the onion and celery and saute' until golden.  Add grated potatoes and chicken broth and simmer until potatoes are done, stirring constantly.  Add corn and butter.  Stir in the evaporated milk.  Heat until warm, but do NOT boil.  Add marjoram and parsley.

Crockpot Ham and Potato Soup...

8 cups potatoes (peeled and diced)
1/2 yellow onion chopped
2 large carrots (peeled and chopped)
1/2 cup chopped celery
16 ounce cubed ham
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 cups chicken broth
3 Tbsp cornstarch
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup sour cream
grated cheese to top each bowl of soup with

In crockpot add potatoes, onion, carrot, celery, ham, salt, pepper, and chicken broth.  Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.  15 minutes before eating, Take out 1/3 of the potatoes and put in a bowl.  Mash with a potato masher and then add back into the soup.  Add cream and sour cream and stir well.  In a separate cup put 3 tbsp cornstarch and a little bit of water to make a smooth mixture.  Add to crockpot.  Cook for an additional 15 minutes.  Serve with a green salad and roll.

Egg Roll in A Bowl...

1 lb. ground turkey breast
1/4 onion
1 TBS. minced garlic
1 bag of coleslaw mix
3 TBS. soy sauce
2 tsp. rice vinegar
2 TBS. sweet chili sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Brown ground turkey then drain and set aside
Brown onion and garlic for 3 minutes and then add coleslaw mix.  Cook on medium until coleslaw is tender.  Add back in ground turkey and add in the rest of the ingredients.  Cook for a few more minutes.  My kids like to drizzle more sweet chili sauce on their bowl of food before eating.  You can serve with rice and mixed vegetables.

Cafe Rio Pork...

3 lb. pork roast
1 small can diced green chilis
1 package Frontera Red Chile Enchilada Sauce with Roasted Tomato and Garlic Pouch
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup coke

Cook roast for 4 hours with just some water in the crockpot.  Drain the water out and cut off any fat off the roast.  Then combine green chilis, enchilada sauce packer, and brown sugar in a blender.  Blend ingredients together until smooth.  Add to crockpot.  Then add the coke.  Cook on low or high until roast is ready to shred.  Shred meat and then put back in the crockpot with liquid.  Serve over salad or make a taco.

Hawaiian Baked Beans....

2 (15 oz.) cans pork & beans, undrained
1 (15 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
1 (15 oz.) favorite white bean, drained & rinsed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese,
1 (15 oz.) can chunk pineapple, drained 
1/2 lb. bacon, crispy and crumbled
1 small onion, chopped
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup ketchup
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

Mix beans, cheese and pineapple in a 9x13" baking dish.

Cook bacon until crispy. Drain excess fat, leaving 1-2 tablespoons to cook the onions in. Once the bacon is cooled, crumble and set aside.

Add the onions to the skillet with the bacon grease. When the onions are soft, add the sugar, ketchup and Worcestershire. Heat until boiling. 

Add the hot onion mixture to the bean mixture. Mix in bacon crumbles. Cover with foil and bake covered for about 45 minutes. Remove foil and cook uncovered for about 15 minutes or until the beans are set.

Instead of baking you can warm on a Treager Grill.

Crockpot Zuppa Toscana Soup...

1 lb. ground hot Italian sausage
1/2-1 onion
4-5 potatoes
2 tsp. minced garlic
32 oz. chicken stock
1/2 bunch kale (a couple handfuls)
1 cup whip cream
2 tbs. corn starch
salt and pepper to taste
pinch of red pepper flake (optional)

Brown sausage, onion, and garlic until sausage is cooked through.  Put into crockpot.  Peel potatoes and dice into bite size pieces.  Put into crockpot.  Add chicken stock and cook on low for 3 hours.  Check potatoes and if they are tender and ready to eat.  If potatoes are tender, put whip cream and 2 tbs. corn starch in a cup and stir really well.  Add to crockpot.  Add Kale and then cook on high for 30 minutes.
Serve when ready.

Simple Coleslaw

1/2 head green cabbage
1 carrot, finely chopped or grated
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar

Chop the cabbage and the carrot and place them in a bowl.  Make dressing by whisking together the remaining ingredients in a small bowl and then pour it over the cabbage and carrot mix.  Stir and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.  I like to serve this with/on pulled pork sandwiches.  

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
3-4 pound boneless pork shoulder roast, cut into 2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce, divided
1 cup chicken stock or water

DIRECTIONS:

Whisk together the smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, black pepper, mustard and salt in a large ziplock until evenly combined.  Add the pork, then gently toss with the spice blend until it is evenly coated.  Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.

When you’re ready to cook the pork, press “Sauté” on the Instant Pot.  Add the oil.  Then once it is hot (it will be shimmering), add a single layer of the pork pieces.  Brown the pork on all sides, then transfer the pork to a clean plate and set aside.  Repeat with the remaining pieces of pork.  (This may take you 2 or 3 batches.)  You can also brown the pork in a pan on the stove, which is what I prefer.  I feel like it takes longer in the Instant Pot and I don't mind washing an extra pan.

Once all of the pork has been browned, turn the Instant Pot off.  Then add the browned pork, chicken stock, and 1 cup of the BBQ sauce to the Instant Pot, and give the mixture a quick toss to combine everything.  Twist on the lid, turn the vent to “Sealing”, then set the pressure cooker to “Manual” for 60 minutes.  Once the time is up, let the vent naturally release.  (Don’t do the quick release option.)

Carefully open the lid.  Transfer the pork to a separate clean plate with a slotted spoon, leaving the juices behind.  Press the “Sauté” button once more, and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes or until it has thickened and reduced by more than half.  Meanwhile, shred the pork with two forks.  (if the roast doesn't shred easily, pop it back into the IP for another 10 minutes, but I haven't had to worry about that with this recipe.)

Once the sauce has reduced a bit, skim some of the fat off of the top with a spoon or use a fat separator to separate and discard it.  Then add the shredded pork back into the sauce, and give everything a good toss so that it can soak up those tasty juices.

Serve on toasted buns topped with an extra spoonful or two of the remaining BBQ sauce.

Cheesy Sausage and Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Cheesy Sausage and Croissant Casserole
adapted from Southern Living
serves 8 to 10

1 lb hot sausage (I used Jimmy Dean)
1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 (10 to 13-oz) package mini croissants, chopped
2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
6 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese


Cook sausage in skillet over medium-high heat until done. Remove from skillet and drain fat.

Toss together cooked sausage, Parmesan cheese, onion powder and chopped croissants. Pour into a lightly greased 9x13-inch pan.

Whisk together milk, heavy cream and eggs. Pour over sausage mixture. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Uncover casserole and top with shredded Gruyere cheese. Bake 45 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Homemade Hot Fudge

This is great to serve on top of Texas sheet cake. Don't ice the cake if you are going to serve with hot fudge.


1 pkg. semi sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup margarine
2 cups powered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 can evaporated milk
Place chocolate chips & butter in a glass measure. Microwave 1 1/2-2 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir in remaining ingredients beat with mixer until smoothing microwave for 5 minutes or until bubbly.

Blackened Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Salsa

http://therecipecritic.com/2017/04/blackened-cajun-shrimp-tacos-avocado-salsa/

• 
  
• 1 pound jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined, remove tails if wanted
• 1 Tablespoon cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Avocado salsa:
• 3 roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 (11 ounce) can yellow corn, drained
• 1 (15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
• ½ red onion, diced
• 2 avocados, diced
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• juice of one lime
• salt and pepper to taste
• crumbled feta for topping, optional
• 4-6 flour tortillas for serving

1. In a medium sized bowl add the shrimp and cajun seasoning. Toss until coated. In a medium sized skillet over medium high heat add olive oil and shrimp. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until no longer pink.
2. To make the avocado salsa: Add the tomatoes, corn, black beans, red onion, avocado, and cilantro to a bowl. Salt and pepper to taste.
3. Assemble the tacos dividing the avocado salsa and topping with shrimp. Sprinkle with crumbled feta and serve immediately.

Turkey Lettuce Wraps...

1 lb. Ground Turkey
1/2 diced Red Pepper
Handful of Matchstick Carrots
Soy Sauce
Sweet Chili Sauce

Brown Turkey, Red Pepper, and Carrots.  When done drain any liquid in the pan.  Add soy sauce and sweet chili sauce to taste and let simmer on low for 10 minutes.  Spoon meat into romaine or green leaf lettuce, wrap and eat.

Zesty Lime Chicken Tacos...

1/2 bottle Kraft Zesty Lime Vinaigrette Dressing
16 oz. jar Salsa Verde
1 can diced Green Chilies
1/2 can diced Jalapeños (optional)
Juice from 2 limes
4-5 Chicken Breast

Combine in crockpot and cook for 4-8 hours or until shreddable.  Shred chicken and then place back into the juice/liquid in the crockpot.  Serve in flour or corn tortillas with cheese, beans, lettuce, and avocado.  We also like to top them with sour cream or cafe rio ranch.  This chicken is also so good in a salad with black beans, tomatoes, and dressing.

Calico Baked Beans...

1/2 lb. Bacon
1/2 Chopped Onion
1/2 lb. Hamburger
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Dried Mustard
16 oz. Pork and Beans
16 oz. Pinto Beans partially drained
16 oz. Black Beans drained and rinsed
16 oz. Kidney Beans Drained
3/4 cup Ketchup
1 cup Brown Sugar
3 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar

Cook and crumble bacon and set aside.  Brown hamburger and onion together till hamburger is cooked through.  Combine the rest of the ingredients and place in a 8x10 tin foil dish.  Put on treager for 1 hour on 300 degrees.  If you don't have a trigger cook in oven on 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Conference Crepes

2 eggs
2 tbsp of sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups of milk
1 cup of flour
1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
oil for pan (I have found this to be optional if using a good non-stick pan)

Instructions:
Mix all the ingredients in a mixer or a blender really well and let sit for a few minutes.  Heat a non stick frying pan with a 1/2 tsp of oil really well or spray it generously with cooking spray.  It is very important that the pan is hot.  Pour 1/4-1/3 of a cup of the crepe mixture, or more depending on your pan size, into the pan and spread the mixture to cover the entire pan, by rotating the pan.  Leave about 1 to 2 min per side then flip over or until you see the edges of the crepe starting to brown a little bit. Once the crepe is done on one side it will also be able to slide it around and flip it over.  Repeat steps until you've prepared all the crepes.  You can just pile them all up on a plate as you cook them.

Fill crepes with berries, bananas, nutella, jam, cookie butter, pastry cream, cream cheese mix (see recipe below), whipped cream, etc. and roll and serve.

Cream Cheese Filling for Crepes:

8oz Cream Cheese, softened to room temp
8 oz Extra Creamy Cool Whip (defrosted in the fridge overnight)
2 tsp. Lemon Juice
1/2 c. Powdered Sugar (or to taste)
Mix all ingredients well and serve in crepes.

Shelly's Salsa

This makes a ton, so I usually half the recipe for just my family.  

Ingredients:

2 cans (15 ounce) Whole Tomatoes with Juice

2 cans (10 ounce) Rotel Tomatoes with Juice (mild or any other variety)

1/2 white onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1-2 Jalapenos, finely chopped (seeds and ribs removed for less heat!)

1 teaspoon sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher Salt (less if you use table salt)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

Black Pepper to taste

2 tablespoons Ketchup

1 cup Cilantro, rough chopped

1-2 Limes, juiced (depending on size of lime)

Splash of white vinegar 

Directions:

Combine all of the above ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until you get the desired consistency you like. Test for seasonings and add some more if needed. Let the salsa sit for at least an hour or so in the refrigerator to let the flavors blend. This will keep for at least a week in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Protein Waffles...

1 Scoop Protein Powder (Quest Powder works well)
1 Full Egg
1 tsp. baking powder
3 T. water

Mix really really well and pour into waffle maker.

Top with PB2 mixed with sugar free syrup and a few berries.  You can also top with a little spray whip cream.

For 2 Waffles
182 Calories
7.4  Carbs
6.8 Fat
31 Protein

Protein Donuts...

3 scoops protein powder (I like to use Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Birthday Cake Flavor)
3/4 Cup Pumpkin Puree
2 Whole Eggs
1 tsp. baking powder

Mix all ingredients in a kitchen aid mixer until really smooth.  Pour batter into a zip lock bag and cut the end off and pour into a 6 count non stick donut pan sprayed with a little bit of pam.
Bake at 350 for 11 minutes or until cooked through.  I store these in the fridge after they have cooled. I also like to top them with the spray whip cream when I eat them.

(Per Donut)
92 calories
15 protein
3 carbs
2 fat

Cookie Dough Dip

1 (8oz) package cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 TBS. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup toffee bits

Instructions:
Cream together cream cheese and butter. Add all other ingredients and mix until well combined.
Serve with apple wedges.

7 Layer Dip

1 (15 oz.) can refried beans
1 (4oz.) can diced green chilies
1 pt. sour cream
2-3 tsp. taco seasoning
3-4 avocados
3/4 cup salsa
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
3-4 tomatoes, diced
2-3 green onions, sliced
1 large can black olives, sliced

Beat beans  with mixer until smooth and add taco seasoning, and green chilies.  Spread over a platter.  Spread sour cream over beans.  Mash avocados with lemon juice, garlic powder and salsa.  Spread over sour cream.  Sprinkle with cheese, tomatoes, onions and olives.  Serve with tortilla chips.  

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal

There are 100 different ways to do everything in the IP, so when I find the way that works for me I like to write it down so I don't forget.  This is how I like Instant Pot steel cut oats.  The best part is that I can set the delay start the night before and we wake up to hot oatmeal!

1 c. steel cut oats
3 c. water
2 TB butter or coconut oil
pinch of salt
tiny splash of vanilla
You can also add spices like cinnamon, etc.

Place all ingredients in the pot, stir, and cook on (manual) high pressure for 4 minutes.  Then let it naturally release pressure until the "pin" drops.  Open the pot, stir, and serve (with butter and brown sugar!).  When I first open the pot it seems "watery" a lot of times, but if you stir it up the water just stirs right in and you are left with creamy steel cut oats.

Also, a tiny bit of Amber/Emily's Caramel Syrup drizzled over the top is really yummy.  Don't ask me how I know.  LOL

Instant Pot Refried Beans

• recipe slightly adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe
• 
  
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 jalapeño, cored, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 3-4 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 1/2 pounds dry pinto beans, rinsed
• 8 cups water
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar

1. In the insert of an electric pressure cooker (or in a stovetop pressure cooker), heat the oil (using the Sauté function on the InstantPot) and add the jalapeños, onion, and garlic, and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring often.
2. Add the rinsed and drained beans, water, broth, salt and vinegar.
3. Secure the lid on the pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes (stovetop) and 35 minutes (electric).
4. Let the pressure naturally release. Reserve two cups of the liquid in a separate bowl.
5. Drain the rest of the liquid off the beans. Using an immersion blender, potato masher (or spooning the beans into a blender), process/mash to the desired consistency, adding reserved cooking water, if needed for a smoother/softer consistency.
6. Refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for several months.

I froze the leftovers in 2 cup increments in quart-sized freezer bags and they thaw and reheat great.  

Instant Pot Mexican Style Shredded Beef

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 3 Pounds beef chuck roast
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 3 Cloves fresh garlic (minced)
• 10 Ounce can diced tomatoes & green chilies
• 1/2 Large onion (sliced)
• 1/2 cup water
• Juice of one lime (about 2 Tablespoons)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 3/4 Tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

DIRECTIONS

Salt and pepper both sides of the chuck roast.  I had to cut mine into two pieces.

Select the Saute button on your Instant Pot, and add the oil.

Brown the chuck roast on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the roast to a plate and deglaze the pot with the tomatoes and water.  Then place the roast back into the pot.

Add the garlic and onion slices.

Place the lid on the Instant Pot, select the high pressure setting, and set the timer for 75 minutes

The Instant Pot will beep when it is finished. Allow the built up pressure to release naturally, then remove the lid.

Shred the beef with two forks, I place mine on a large dinner plate.

Remove the tomatoes and onions from the pot and return the shredded beef.  I strain them but keep some of the juice to moisten the meat with.  Add it back into the beef when you put it back into the pot.

Add the lime juice, cumin, chili powder, and cilantro, stir to combine.

Place the lid back on top of the pot until ready to serve. Beef can be used to make tacos, salad, burritos, chimichangas, etc.

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

• 1 box (16 ounce) of elbow macaroni
• 4 cups of water
• 3 Tb of butter
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 cup of heavy whipping cream (can sub 1 can of evaporated milk(12 ounce), half and half, or even whole milk)
• 2 cups of shredded medium or sharp cheddar cheese

Place the macaroni, water, salt and butter into the Instant Pot.  Set Instant Pot on 4 minutes high pressure and do a quick release of the pressure as soon as it's done.  Take lid off and immediately add whipping cream and stir. Then slowly add cheese and stir until it melts.  You can add a little hot sauce and dry mustard for flavor if desired.