Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken

 

I LOVE Indian Food!  This recipe is so good that I've even had people that profess 

to "hate" curry love it!  I highly recommend doubling, tripling, or quadrupling this recipe.  The leftovers taste amazing too!  I've even had success freezing leftovers to use for a quick meal another night.

Image from Here

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 3) cut into 1 inch chunks

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 cloves garlic, grated

1 tsp grated fresh ginger

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp paprika (I like smoked paprika)

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp ground tumeric

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (for "medium" heat)

2 TBS butter

1 15-oz can tomato puree or crushed tomatoes

1 1/2 tsp sugar

3/4 cup cream

Chopped fresh cilantro, for topping

Naan and rice, for serving

Directions:

1. On the "Saute" setting of your instant pot: Add butter and spices.  Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes.  Add tomato puree, sugar.  Scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen spices stuck to the bottom.  Turn instant pot off.

2.  Add chicken and mix into tomato sauce.  Put on and lock the lid.  Cook on high for 5 minutes.  Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.  Manually release the remaining pressure.

3.  Add heavy cream.  Season with additional salt/pepper if needed.  Serve over rice and with naan.

**Note:  This can also work using precooked chicken, grilled chicken, etc.  I just Pressure cook it for 1 minute if I do that.  

**Leftovers freeze well.

Mun's Dutch Oven Classic Beef Stew

 

Image from Here

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 TBS butter
1 pounds boneless sirloin tip, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
8 ounces cremini mushrooms, quartered
2 medium sliced red or yellow onions
3 sliced medium carrots
2 medium parsnips peeled and sliced
4 large red new potatoes unpeeled, cut lengthwise into 4, then cut in half lengthwise,
10 ounces frozen pearl onions (about 1 3/4 cups)
6 small garlic cloves, smashed
1 cup cooking masala wine
1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour (omit for gluten free version)
1 quart beef stock, divided
1 herb bundle tied with kitchen twine: 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 2 tsp. dried thyme) and 4 large sprigs of parsley, and 2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh chives for garnish

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Sprinkle beef with pepper and 1 teaspoon salt and cook until well browned on 2 sides, 4 minutes per side. Transfer browned beef to a plate or bowl and set aside.

2. Add butter and mushrooms to Dutch oven, and cook, stirring often, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate or bowl. Add sliced onions and cook until begin to brown, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add masala wine; cook until liquid has almost evaporated, 6 to 7 minutes, stirring and scraping to loosen browned bits from bottom of Dutch oven.

3. Whisk together flour and 1 cup of the stock in a small bowl; whisk into mixture in Dutch oven until incorporated. Stir in carrots, potatoes, parsnips, mushrooms, beef, herb bundle, bay leaves, pearl onions, remaining 3 cups stock, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to a boil.

4. Stir in mustard and red wine vinegar into beef mixture. Cover and bake in 350-degree oven for 1 1⁄2 hours. Remove from oven; discard herb bundle and bay leaves. Ladle stew into soup bowls and sprinkle with chives.

Michelle's Slow Cooker (or Instant Pot) Beef Stew

Stew is a classic.  This is a simple and hearty meal that men particularly like.  Serve with warm biscuits if you want to have extra happy diners!  Note, when making stew, try to have all your vegetables/meat cut to the same size so they cook more similarly. Image from here. 

INGREDIENTS:
1-2 lbs beef stew meat (1 inch cubes)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp paprika (smoked paprika is good too!)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups beef broth
3 potatoes, diced
4 carrots, sliced
2 stalks celery diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 can petite diced tomatoes
*optional--can also add sweet potatoes, (mushrooms/peas--add these two at the very end before serving)

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Place all ingredients in the slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.  

2.  If using an instant pot, brown the meat first and cook about half-way through, then add the rest of the ingredients and pressure cook for 3-4 minutes.

3.  Serve warm in bowls (note this recipe does not have flour, so your stew will have a thinner broth).

Pizza Rolls

These were a special treat growing up.  

My sister learned to make them at a bread making class.  

To assemble, they are just like making cinnamon rolls, but with a savory filling.

FIRST:  Make one Batch of Homemade sandwich bread dough (enough for 6 loaves).  (I use my whole wheat recipe, but use 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 white wheat.  You can also use all white if you'd prefer).

Pizza Roll Filling
In a food processor, chop the following:
2  5oz pkgs. turkey pepperoni
1 small yellow onion
1 can 2-4 oz black olives (depending on preference)
1 large green pepper

1.  Cut bread dough into approximately 4 equal balls.  Roll out 1 of the 4 balls into a rectangle.  Spread with a few tablespoons of cream cheese.  Then spread 1/4th of the pizza roll filling and then sprinkle with shredded cheddar/mozzerella cheese.  Roll up just like a cinnamon roll and cut into slices about 1.5" thick.  Place rolls onto a cooking sheet (I fit 12-15 rolls on  1  11x17 pan).

2. Let Rise until double.

3. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes until tops are golden brown.

4. Serve warm or at room temperature with your favorite marinara sauce.

**These are great to take in a school lunch!  They also freeze well.

Harvey's Simple Black-Eyed Peas Curry

This is a quick and simple curry dish.  You can add additional vegetables that you have on hand (celery, carrots, zucchini, cauliflower, etc.) if you so desire!

Image from Here.

 

INGREDIENTS

1 TBS olive oil

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 tsp freshly grated ginger 

1 can petite diced tomatoes, drained

1 tsp tumeric

Pinch cayenne, or to taste

1 tsp salt

2 tsp paprika

2 tsp Garam Masala

1 ½ c half and half or 1 can coconut milk

2 c vegetable stock or chicken broth

2 can black-eyed peas, lightly drained

1 head cauliflower, chopped (optional)

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

-Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; saute 5 minutes or until translucent and slightly browned. Stir in garlic and grated ginger root; stir constantly for 30 seconds. Add tomato; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in turmeric, cayenne, salt, paprika, and garam masala; stir constantly for 30 seconds. Add half and half, stock, and black-eyed peas.

-Reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cilantro. Serve immediately with basmati rice.

The BEST Alfredo Pasta

Here is a simple and delicious Alfredo recipe I got from a neighbor.  It is delicious--and SO NOT healthy!  But everyone needs a simple and delicious Alfredo sauce!

Image from here.

 

Heat until warm:
1 cube butter
4 oz cream cheese
1 pint whipping cream
Add:
4 oz parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp pepper
-Serve over 16 oz penne or fettuccini
-Add grilled chicken and fresh Italian parsley if desired

-**I also HIGHLY recommend adding some fresh lemon juice and zest for make this OVER THE TOP amazing!

Egg Toast with avocado and honey

 

So so good.  So so simple.  This is a great meal for one!

Egg toast is kind of a comfort food for me now.  It is a great breakfast, but if we have this just as often for dinner!  This is not something I grew up eating.  There are several variations.  Make it your own!  The picture kind of says it all, so no directions here!

Image from Here.

Toasted Sourdough

Avocado (season with pepper/garlic salt)

Fried Egg (cooked to your preference) seasoned with salt/pepper

Drizzle of honey (or Trader Joes Spicy Honey)

This is the spicy honey from Trader Joes.  This gives the perfect subtle heat kick!

The BEST Blue Cheese or Gorgonzola Burger

 

I made this recipe from Pioneer Woman.  It is in my TOP 2 favorite burger recipes. I'm going to assume you've made burgers a lot, so there won't be a lot of specifics here :)

Image and recipe ideas from Pioneer Woman

Toasted Bun of choice

Spread mayo and 3-6 drops of Tabasco sauce on one side of the toasted bun

Hamburger (add some cracked pepper during cooking process)

Lettuce Greens

Carmalized red onions (caramelize with butter and a little brown sugar)

Blue OR Gorgonzola Cheese

Bacon (optional)

Bacon Jam (Optional)

Trader Joes Vegetable Masala Taco

 

Here is another "Trader Joes" recipe.  This recipe is flexible.  You don't have to use these Trader Joes items.  You may find similar substitutes.  I used to make a lot of veggie bean burger tacos in my college years.  The Vegetable Masala Burger from Trader Joes is a fun twist on this due to the spice differences.

Taco Ingredients--use some combination of the following:

Vegetable Masala Burger (Trader Joes brand, cooked according to package directions), cut into strips

Lettuce Greens/cabbage

chopped cucumbers

chopped peppers

shredded carrots

Chopped cherry tomatoes

Cilantro Dressing (Trader Joes brand or other)

Tortilla (Trader Joes has several varieties.  I prefer them over normal store brands, but they go MOLDY QUICKLY, so keep them in freezer until day of use.  They will keep 2-3 days in the refrigerator).

*For your dressing you can also use a favorite ranch dressing, or tzakiki sauce.

Sisters' Butter Chicken

I LOVE Indian food!!!  

This is a great version of Butter Chicken.  My sister made this for my birthday.  She doesn't have an "exact" recipe, so I took her "inexact" recipe and tried to create a consistent and repeatable version--hence "Sisters' Butter Chicken"  

The packaged curry paste makes this quite simple to 

make, and this makes AMAZING  leftovers!

Image from here.

Steam unti soft:

4 large carrots, sliced

In Blender blend

steamed carrots

1/3 c. cashews

1 15 oz can petite diced tomatoes

2 c. water

Pour carrot/tomato blended mixture into large pan. 

Add:

1 pkg. Kitchens of India Butter Chicken Paste Mix (mild or medium)

4 c. grilled chicken

Creme Fraiche (Trader Joes)

1/3 c. cashew pieces

1/3 c. golden raisins

1-2 c. chopped spinach (optional)

-Combine all ingredients.  Warm and then simmer for 15 minutes.  Serve with chopped cilantro, basmati rice, and naan bread.

-Optional---for extra heat and a little bit of a smokey flavor add a little smoked paprika or smoked chipotle powder.

Mediteranean Flatbread Pizza

This is good warm OR at room temperature OR some of my kinds even prefer it cold! 

This is really easy to make if you use a premed crust, flatbread, naan, 

or pita bread as your base.  

Picture and recipe idea from HERE.

CRUST: (I like to use premade pita bread or Trader Joes Middle East Flatbread)

SAUCE: Spinach Pesto, Cilantro Pesto (see recipe below), or Basil Pesto

TOPPING Ideas:

black or calamata olives

feta cheese

mozzarella cheese

artichokes

arugula (add after baking)

spinach

cherry tomatoes

red onion

sun dried tomatoes

grilled chicken

-Top pita bread with sauce, then layer desired toppings.  

For the cilantro pesto blend the following:
1½ cups fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tbsp. pecans
2 tbsp. pine nuts
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

 

Tuna Pesto Pasta

This probably sounds gross, but this is a classic staple meal at our home that our children love.  I grew up eating canned tuna, so it's not weird to me.  If you like canned tuna, then I'm sure you will like this.  There is another similar version to this that I will also post that is without pesto.

Image Credit Here

1 16 oz box farfalle pasta, cooked al dente

3/4 cup of favorite basil pesto

1 can tuna, drained

1 can white northern or cannelloni beans, drained (optional)

salt/pepper to taste

-Combine all ingredients and top with:

Fresh Basil and Pecorino Romano Cheese 

Pasta Calabrese - Bell Pepper Sauce

This is one of my favorite dishes my husband came back from Italy making.  The bell pepper sauce is delicious and a nice change from your typical Tomato Sauce.

Image Credit:  Cooks Illustrated

On low-medium heat sauce 7 minutes:
1 large sweet onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 TBS olive oil
Add and sauté 7 more minutes:
3/4 tsp crushed Red Pepper flakes
6 yellow/orange/red bell peppers, diced
1/4 c. pine nuts
1 tsp salt
4 TBS olive oil
-Blend 1/2 of the pepper onion mixture in food processor (or blender).  Return blended mixture back to pan and mix in.  You can blend all of the sauce if desired or do the 1/2 method if you link a chunkier sauce.

-Stir in 1 pound of penne pasta cooked al dente into the sauce.

-Serve warm.

-Sprinkle with Pecorino Romano cheese and fresh basil if desired.

Ecuadorian Lentil Stew

 

(Picture from Keep Recipes)

My friend Julie made this for me recently.  She lived in Ecuador.  This dish is very simple and delicious! It makes great leftovers and also a great meal for take and go lunches.  Here is her recipe slightly altered.

Ingredients

• 2-3 tbs oil
• 1 red onion diced
• 1 bell pepper diced
• 3 tomatoes diced
• 6 garlic cloves minced
• 3 tsp cumin
• 1 bunch chopped cilantro
• ~7 cups of water
• 1 lb lentils rinsed
• Salt/pepper to taste

Side dishes:

• Ecuadorian style rice

Instructions:

• Heat the oil on medium heat in a large sauce pan or cooking pot.
• Add the onion, bell pepper, tomato, garlic, cumin, salt,  and 2 tablespoons of the cilantro to make a refrito for the stew.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until all the ingredients have softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the water and increase heat to bring water to boil.
• Add the lentils and reduce the heat to medium low, cover partially and cook until the lentils are tender. Taste and add salt if needed, stir in the remaining cilantro, and remove from the heat.
• Serve with Ecuadorian style cooked rice, carne asada o carne frita (fried thin beef steaks), fried ripe plantains or fried green plantains, and a small salad or avocado slices.
  
  
  
  

  Instant Pot Directions: Saute onion, oil and spices for 5 minutes.  Add only 4 CUPS of water (not 7).  Add all other ingredients.  Pressure cook for 11 minutes.

Salmon Tacos with Cucumber Slaw & Guacamole

Another recipe from Ina Garten with a few changes to my taste...

Again, we've become fish taco fans.  This is our other favorite fish taco recipe!

Image from here.

Flour or Corn Tortillas

Slaw

3/4 lb green cabbage, cored and finely shredded 

1 seedless English cucumber, unpeeled, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced
3 TBS  white or red wine vinegar
1/2 c. sour cream
3 Tbsp minced fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
-Combine all ingredients in a bowl and let marinate in fridge

Salmon

Olive oil, for greasing the pan 

salmon fillet, skin removed 

-Sprinkle salmon with chipotle chile powder, fresh lime zest and lime juice, salt, pepper

--Bake 425 for 20-25 minutes until just cooked through

Build Taco and top with:
-Guacamole:  avocados, seeded and peeled-mash adding 1/2 tsp Sriracha per avocado, salt/pepper.

Tilapia Fish Tacos with Mango Peach Salsa

I had never had a fish taco until about three years ago.  To many that may be crazy!  It always sounded a bit weird to me, but I finally made the plunge...and now it is a family favorite!  We especially like this in the summer, but anytime is good.  Trader Joes is a great place to get your tortillas, breaded, tilapia, sprouts, chili lime seasoning, and peach/mango salsa!

Image from here.

Breaded Tilapia (bake according to box directions and cut into strips)
Flour or corn tortillas
sliced avocado
Trader Joes Peach/Mango Salsa (or another favorite brand or a fresh salsa works great too)
sliced radishes
sprouts
Cabbage Slaw (see recipe below)
*jalapenos optional
*limes for serving
*Chili Lime seasoning from Trader Joes for extra flavor/kick

Cabbage Slaw 16 oz:
red/green cabbage
shredded carrots
Coleslaw Dressing:
1/2 c. sour cream
3 TBS honey
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c. fresh cilantro, chopped
-Note the coleslaw will seem very dry.  The longer it sits in the dressing, the more it will soften.

Pasta Fagioli

This dish was introduced to me by my husband. Of course it tastes best when he makes it, but I make it myself a lot too because it is one of my all-time favorite pasta recipes. The mashed white beans give an interesting twist to the usual "pesto-pasta" recipe. (Picture from ChoosingChia).  This is also a GREAT recipe to add summer veggies to such as cherry tomatoes, zucchini, kale, etc!

Pasta:
13 oz Barilla Whole Grain Pasta (fusilli works best, but you can use shells, penne, etc.) Boil six minutes oil, then drain in colander.

While pasta cooling/draining:
Caramelize 5 minutes 1/2 large onion, diced in 2 TBS olive oil.
Add 1 15 oz can white Northern Beans (not drained)
Simmer onion and beans together for about 5 minutes. Begin mashing the mixture with the back of your spoon until 1/2-3/4 of pan looks like a mashed paste.

Pasta:
Place drained pasta back into large cooking pan.
Season with:
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp garlic seasoning
Fresh Garden vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, zucchini, kale (optional)
Toasted Pine Nuts (optional)
1/2 cup prepared pesto (homemade or I like Costco brand-freezes well too)
-Add: mashed bean/onion mixture and mix all together until well combined
-Serve at room temperature topped generously with grated pecorino romano cheese and chopped fresh basil

Chicken Marsala

Picture and original recipe from Here.

My Italian food loving husband has perfected this recipe.  This is the recipe that gave him a change of heart toward mushrooms (which he previously thought were an unnecessary food)!!!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into desired thickness
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1½ cups sliced mushrooms
• ½ cup Marsala wine
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Fresh Chopped Parsley for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large skillet over medium heat add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan. Add the chicken and lightly salt and pepper. Cook until lightly brown and cooked throughout. Remove chicken and set aside on plate.
2. Add 1 Tablespoon olive oil and sauté the mushrooms for 1-2 minutes. Add marsala wine and bring to a boil over medium high heat for 1-2 minutes. This allows the alcohol to burn out. Add the chicken broth, heavy whipping cream, ground mustard, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until it starts to thicken. Place chicken back in the sauce and continue to simmer for about 1-2 minutes.

Thai Green Curry Vegetables

Simple, Healthy, Delicious!  

I think this is my closest Thai restaurant copycat invention.  I've never had exactly this, but the sauce tastes very similar.  You could certainly alter the vegetables or add chicken if desired.

In large pan heat over medium for 15 minutes or until vegetables just tender:
2 TBS olive oil
1 yellow onion, sliced
1 head cauliflower, diced
4 medium carrots, cut on the diagonal

Add and heat until warm:
1 cup frozen peas
1/4 tsp salt
1 TBS sugar
1 can coconut milk
1/4 c. chicken broth
2 TBS green curry paste (I used Thai Kitchen brand)
1 TBS fresh ginger, minced
1/2 c. chopped FRESH basil
-Serve warm (with rice if desired)

Korean Rice Bowls

 I love eating at family members homes.  Their food always tastes so good!  Here is a tasty recipe from one of my amazing sister-in-laws!  This makes a great "Pot-luck" meal where you can divide out topping assignments.

1 ½ lbs ground turkey or ground beef or ground chicken

3 cloves garlic, finely minced

Salt and pepper

½ c brown sugar

1 c low­ sodium soy sauce

½ c low ­sodium chicken or beef broth

2 TBS sesame oil

½ tsp red pepper flakes 

2 tsp finely chopped fresh ginger

Garnishes/Toppings:

green onions, chopped

Hot, cooked sticky rice

Romaine lettuce, chopped
shredded carrots
red peppers, chopped
mung bean sprouts
spinach
sesame seeds
roasted zucchini

• Start the rice cooking according to package directions.  Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, add the meat, garlic and ¼ tsp salt and pepper. Cook, stirring to break the meat into small pieces, until the meat is cooked through and crumbly, about 7­10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
• In a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, broth, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and ginger.  Stir the sauce into the meat and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes or so. 
• In serving bowls layer lettuce, rice, and meat with sauce.  Serve topped with green onion, shredded carrots, sesame seeds.