Sunday, April 23, 2017

Instant Pot- Ranch Chicken

I think the first recipe everyone tells anyone who gets an Instant Pot about is the "crack chicken" recipe. I am not sure who started it to give credit to it for, but it is yummy. Here is my version of it, but we call it Ranch Chicken. Remember, even if you don't have an Instant Pot, you can cook most of these recipes in the slow cooker just adjusting the cooking times. It seems most slow cooker chicken meals I make I cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8 hours.

  • Package of chicken ( i like tenders bc they are easy to shred)
  • Package of Ranch Seasoning
  • Block of cream cheese
  • 1 package of shredded cheese (I used the Mexican variety)
  • 1 cup of water 
  • 4-6 cut up pieces of bacon or bag of bacon pieces
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
I put the chicken in the cooker and topped with the block of cream cheese and ranch seasoning. Then I added a package of the ranch seasoning.  Seal Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. When done, I do a quick release of the steam and open. I stir, shred chicken and add salt and pepper, shredded cheese, and bacon. We always have bacon around here. It's my husband's favorite food group :) I stir everything again and then let it sit in the pot and warm for a few more minutes. It tends to thicken up if you let it sit for a few. If you want it thicker, try adding a little cornstarch.  I've served this on rolls, with toasted sourdough bread, and over noodles!

I always forget to take picture until it's almost gone. I'll try and get better about that!
Enjoy!

Monday, April 17, 2017

Instant Pot- Banana Toast Breakfast Bake

 My husband is a fan of this pot people. I think he likes the new things I am trying. We get in a rut too and eat a lot of the same "go to" meals. I made this for Sunday morning breakfast and everyone liked it. Except the two year old. That day he didn't like food. He preferred being a stubborn toddler. Go figure.

Anyways- this was a little more intense than I had planned for, but it was just because it was my first time and I combined a bunch of recipes to make something of my own.  It'll be much easier next time. I am not really a "measuring" kind of cook. I prefer to just add what I want and cross my fingers. Maybe not the most technical, but hey, it's part of my creative side coming out ;) Let me know if you try it and if you add variations like pecans, or almonds to it!


 
  •  5-6 slices of bread, cubed (I just used wheat)
  • 4 bananas, sliced
  • 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • ¼ cup cream cheese
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons chilled butter, sliced
  1. Slice your bread into cubes. Or use scissors! Works great!
  2. Grease a round baking dish that will fit down in your size pot.
  3. Add a layer of cut up bread to the bowl.
  4. Layer one sliced banana over the bread, then sprinkle one tablespoon of brown sugar over the bananas. or maybe a little more if you like :)
  5.  In a microwave, melt the cream cheese 30-45 seconds until it’s creamy enough to spread. Cover the bananas and bread with cream cheese.
  6. Add the rest of the bread to the bowl and layer one more sliced banana over the bread.
  7. Sprinkle  brown sugar over the bananas.
  8. Place sliced butter pieces over the bread as the top layer.
  9. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk. Whisk milk, vanilla, and cinnamon into egg mixture.
  10. Pour the egg mixture over the bread, making sure to coat the bread pretty well.
  11. Pour ¾ cup water into the pressure cooker pot and place a trivet or pot lifter in the bottom of the pot. If you don’t have a trivet to lift the pan out of the hot pressure cooker, make a sling out of of a large foil strip. Mine came with the trivet.
  12. Center the pan on the trivet or foil strip and lower it into the pressure cooker.
  13. Lock the lid in place. Select High Pressure and set the timer for 25 minutes.
  14. When timer goes off, turn off the pressure cooker and turn the steam release valve to “venting” to release the pressure. When the pressure valve drops, remove lid and remove dish from pressure cooking pot.
  15. Let set for 5 minutes, then top with sliced bananas, more cinnamon, or syrup!

Monday, April 10, 2017

Instant Pot- Buffalo Ranch Shredded Chicken

I finally used my Instant Pot! Are you impressed? I am! I was determined not to let it sit in a box and get lost in this crazy life.  I will also say it was a pretty big hit for the first go around! It's a little intimidating honestly. I mean I don't want to screw it up and ruin dinner and have to go get take out after all. That totally defeats the point!   So bear with me. I just kinda winged this with stuff I had on hand! (The Wildtree Blend I used was in my pantry. I got it from my sweet friend Sara Whiteside. Look up Wildtree By Sara on Facebook if you need some!)

Buffalo Ranch Shredded Chicken
1 package of chicken tenders
1 Cup of Franks Hot Sauce
1 Cup of Ranch Dressing
4 T of Blazin Buffalo Blend Seasoning from Wildtree
Cook Time: 25 mins


I put all the ingredients in the IP. I have the DUO Plus model, so I am having to make adjustments because of all the new fancy settings on it! I used the Pressure Cooker setting on 25 minutes high. When the cooking time was done, I did a quick release of the steam and used forks to shred the chicken. I normally use my kitchen aid mixer to shred chicken, but this was so tender it pretty much fell apart! We put out some Hawaiian Rolls, Crackers, and Celery and ate on this all day. I used the glass top I got when I got my IP and kept it on "Keep Warm" so we could munch! WIN in our book!

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Instant Pot Craze

Unless you've been busy and under a rock, you've probably heard the hype about the Instant Pot. I recently joined world of users, and I have to say- it's great for families on the go!

I actually enjoy cooking. I know. Weirdo. But when the "crazy" season hits, and by this I mean ball season, it comes in pretty handy! I am trying to post a few of the recipes I try in the hopes it helps out some of my other friends who want more family time and less kitchen prep time!

Oh- for a few people who asked me, here is the link to my favorite CrockPot Baked Potato Soup! It's had thousands of views over the years! 

Thanks!

http://sixtytwocrafts.blogspot.com/2012/02/recipe-day-homemade-crockpot-baked.html

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