November, 2019 - Homemaker Geek

Chicken Noodle Soup. IP. from leftover Chicken, Alfredo Noodles and Butter Beans…Use what you have.

Fast and fun dinner! IP Chicken noodle soup. Well maybe not so fast. But kinda. We got some miles from that costco chicken?. I picked the bones and made bone broth this morning, and this afternoon I cut it up.
here is the links to the Alfredo with Pappardelle Noodles, Butter Beans, and Black Beans or Pintos.
Alfredo Blue Cheese with Pappardelle Pasta IP.
Lima Beans/Butter Beans IP includes Stove Top instructions.
Beans Pintos and others cooked In the IP Also here is another Chicken Noodle Soup recipe from fresh Chicken.Chicken Noodle Soup. IP Simple

6 cups Bone Broth. (Important because this is a richer Broth with more flavor).
2 tbsp lower sodium Better than Bullion Chicken, Costco s.
2 tsp better than bullion mushroom.
1/2 sweet Vidallia type Onion.
2 Carrots . About 2 1/2 c
2 large Celery stalks.
1 clove Garlic minced.
1 c cut Green Beans.
1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning.
1 Roma Tomato

Hold next ingredients out till the soup is cooked (like your gonna have it right.???‍♀️ But if you dont have the alfredo Pappardelle you can substitute leftover rice or just cooked noodles).
1 cup Leftover Butter Beans and juice ( or use what you have…Black Beans or Pintos would work too).
1/2 chicken.
1 cup chopped leftover Pappardelle Noodles with alfredo sauce.

Put everything except the last 3 things in the pot and push soup. 10 min. QR and then add the leftovers. Turn the pot off and back on to saute and heat the Chicken and Noodles and Butter Beans. Bon Apatite ?.

Split Pea Soup IP

1 ham bone ( or 2 Ham Hocks smoked)

2 Tbsp Evoo

2 1/2 c Chopped sweet Onion

3-4 cloves minced garlic

2 c Chopped Carrots

2 c chopped Celery

1 chopped potato if desired

1 bag Split Green Peas sorted, washed and rinsed (about 2 cups or 1 lb).

5 cups chicken broth (Or 2 Tbsp Costco’s Better than Bullion Chicken and water)

1 bay leaf

Cayanne or Red Pepper flakes to taste.

If your using Frozen Hocks, you may want to use 1 c water from the recipe and pre cook them in the IP For 10 min with QR before adding the rest of the ingredients.

Toss Onion, Garlic in the pot, add Ham Bone or Hocks, then the Peas and All the rest of the ingredients. Don’t Stir.
Lid on, Set time for 10 Min, then 10 min NPR due to chance of foaming.
remove Ham Bone or Hocks. Fish out any bones that fell in. Chop the ham up and remove meat from the Bones. Return meat to the Pot and stir in.
Serve up? and enjoy.

This is what it looks like as soon as the lid is opened

Egg Foo Young with Almond Sauce…Oven or Breville Toaster Oven

Preheat oven to 375° Or even
I save my stir fry leftovers. I make sure to cool them down and put the leftover Stir Fry away right away into the Refrigerator. Use with in a few (2-3 days)
You will need about 3 cups worth of leftover Veggies and Meats.
Pics show different Batches below.
I suggest Making only enough to feed you and your Family one Meal of this. Because it doesn’t freeze well as the Ingredients have been pre cooked once and will then be cooked again. From a Food Safety Perspective, that’s it.
I personally discard the Leftovers unless the Gravy has been made fresh.

3 cups leftover stir fry. meat cut small. I make Pork, Chicken or Beef.
6-8 beaten eggs.
1 Tbsp Oyster sauce.
3 shakes Fish Sauce. 1/8 tsp
1 Tbsp Flour
1 tsp Baking powder.
1 tsp Sesame Oil.
1 tsp of Simply Asia Sweet Ginger Garlic seasoning

FFOR THE ALMOND SAUCE: Not lower Carb so go easy if your watching them.

INGREDIENTS for the Sauce:
3 c Chicken Broth or 3 c water and 3 Tbsp Reduced Sodium Better than Bullion Chicken.
1/2 tsp Sesame oil.
1/2 tsp Almond extract.
Slurry of 1/4 c Corn Starch and 1/4 c Water.
OPTIONAL: 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice.

Preheat the Oven
You can use a Preheated Cast Iron Pan, or a Frying Pan. just put them in about 5-10 min before your ready with the Foo. Add a tsp of Sesame Oil and swish it around just before you add the Mixture.
Spray any Oven safe Dish with Baking Spray .. a Souffle Dish, or Cassarole Dish, or even a Toaster Oven sized Broiler Pan.
In a good sized Bowl, mix the Flour and Baking Powder together and sprinkle over the leftover Stir Fry .
Add the rest of the Ingredients, and mix well but quickly so that you don’t flatten the Baking Powder.
Pour into sprayed or Preheated Pan. If you use a preheated Pan it shortens the cook time.
Place in the Oven on the Middle Rack …Breville Toaster Oven goes more towards the bottom.

Bake for 15-20 min and check for doneness. The Breville will take longer. Especially if you use a Cassarole Dish.
When it’s done it will be Golden on top or just slightly puffy, and either a knife comes out clean or there is no jiggle in the center.

MAKE THE SAUCE:
While the Egg Foo Young is Baking, get a medium sized Sauce Pan and add to it

Using ingredients from above
3 cups of chicken broth or I use Reduced Sodium better than Bullion Chicken because I can make it more concentrated. So that would be 3 c water and 3 Tbsp of the Costco better than bullion because it has less sodium in it. You can add more later if you want
Slurry of 4 Tbsp Corn Starch and 3 level Tbsp Better than Bullion Chicken
1/2 tsp Almond Extract
1/2 tsp Sesame oil

Make the sauce by heating the Broth and sesame oil first and slowly adding just enough of the slurry to thicken the sauce to your desired consistency, then add the Almond Extract.

Adjust the taste to your liking. When you do taste it don’t double dip or the saliva on the spoon can break the sauce.
I add more of one or the other to get the taste I’m looking for.

This Sauce was BTB Chicken, Water, Sesame Oil, Corn Starch and Almond Extract.

Simply Asia Sweet Ginger Garlic and Eggs

For this Sauce, I used Turkey Gravy, water, corn starch, BTB chicken, sesame oil, & almond extract.

Leftover Brussel Sprouts, Sesame Oil and Simply Asia

Good Lil Gingerbread

This recipe was my moms and her moms before her. Over 100? yrs old… That is why it says things like 150 hand strokes. And to be honest, it turns out good that way? . I also think they didn’t sift the flour. Flour was different back then.

Oven 350°
1 1/4 c Flour (don’t sift. Use the dipping method).
3/4 c Sugar.
3/4 tsp Baking Soda.
1 tsp Ginger.
1/2 tsp Cloves.
1/2 tsp Cinnamon.
1/2 tsp Salt.
1/4 c Shortning/ Margarine (I use BUTTER ) SOFT.
1/2 c Molasses.
1/2 c Sour milk or Buttermilk (To make sour milk use 1 Tbsp vinegar or lemon Juice and fill to 1/2 c with Milk. Let set 5-10 min for it to work).
1 Egg

Preheat Oven
Sift dry ingredients into bowl, drop in butter. Add sour milk, and Molasses.
Beat by hand 150 strokes or by mixer for 1 1/2 min.

Add the eggs and beat for another 1 1/2 min or 150 strokes by hand.

I wrote this from moms recipe in 1980! And the recipe was old then.

Grease and Flour 8×8 pan. Pour batter in the Pan and Bake at 350° For 30-35 min or till done…springs back up when you touch and press with your finger…another way to tell is that it will seperate from the sides of the pan, or knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Note: Another way to make the cake is to beat butter, molasses, and sugar first and then add dry ing alternately with milk.

For a double recipe bake at 350° for a lititle longer. (40-50 min)serve with whipped cream, Ice cream or cooked frosting, Recipe in files.

Pasta Salad with Spiral Noodles and Veggies (IP for Pasta)

This can be made ahead and assembled right before serving or an hour before. Serves 8 with leftovers.

1/2 Cucumber, chopped into bite sized pieces
1/2 Red Pepper, chopped into 1/2” chunks
1/2 Yellow Pepper, chopped into 1/2” chunks.
1/2 Orange Pepper, chopped Into 1/2” chunks
1/2 head Broccoli tops. Chopped into bite size pieces
2 scallions, chopped
1 can Olives cut in half.
1/2 Purple Onion, chopped
1/2 Summer Squash, sliced
2 cups Roma or beefstake Tomatoes.
2 stalks Celery, sliced
1 large Carrot sliced thin.
1/4-1/2 c grated Parmesean Cheese.
Paul Newman’s “Cesar Salad dressing”.
8-12 oz pkg spiral and colored Pasta Noodles …cooked in 2 c water for 4 min in the IP .( Drain and rinse in cold water.)

*Crimini mushrooms sliced if desired, also chopped up Salami, pepperoni or Ham can be added for variation.

Note * Keep in mind that the rule of thumb with pasta cooked in the IP, is 4 oz noodles to 1 cup of water or liquid so if you want less pasta, then do less water in accordance to how much pasta you do. for more pasta in it use the whole pkg .

Pour 2 cups water in the IP, add the noodles, add 1 tbsp oil or Butter.

Lid on, vent to sealing, set manual to 4 min.

Do a QR or CR (Controlled release) if it starts to spit on release.

When the noodles are done pull the pot and run cold water in it from the sink faucet to cool the noodles faster, drain them really well and set aside?

Meanwhile, use more or less of the veggies, your preference. The list of ingredients is suggestions. Cut all the veggies including tomatoes and cucumbers into 1/2” chunks, no need to peel cucumbers unless the skin is tough then I rough peel it (leaving some peel on.) save the other veggie halves for veggie n pork, (I’ll make that recipe, and put it in the files)

Assemble salad, sprinkle with Parmesan, stir and pour 3/4 of the bottle of the dressing on an hour before serving. Stir gently. Stir before serving.

Mac n Cheese IP

It’s easy to double this recipe, and you can substitute 1/2 of the cheese for 1/2 pkg of cream cheese as well.

1 cup Macaroni, I used large.
About 3 c Water in the pot.
1/8 tsp Salt.
1/2 stick Butter.
1/2 c Half n Half.
1/2 c Whipping Cream.
Salt and Pepper to taste…..add some garlic if you like.
8 oz grated Cheese…CoJack, or Mexican blend,
(or actually any blend or kind you like best. I prefer the mild ones but you can use sharp too, the texture will change a bit though.)

Add the Water, Noodles and Salt in the pot,
Put the lid on, vent to Sealing. Set manual and adjust + – to 4 min. when it’s done, do a QR, and turn the pot off, and drain excess water off noodles. (If your using Deli noodles, check for doneness, and if they aren’t quite done, turn the pot to sauté and let them cook a minute longer until done, then drain excess water off) after the noodles are drained, turn the pot to sauté, and make sure it’s on normal or medium, then toss in the butter to melt, once it’s melted, pour in the cream and half and half, and heat til nice and bubbly, then add cheese about a half cup at a time and stir in to heat. Add more cream if you like as well.

After it’s all added, then taste it and add salt and pepper to taste.

[Note on Noodles: if you don’t want to drain water off of the pasta at all, the basic proper ratio of pasta to water or broth is 4 oz of Pasta =1 cup water… 8 oz pasta =2 c water ….16 oz pasta = 4 c water ]

Cheesy Burger Sausage and Mac IP

If your not a fan of cheesy creamy, mellow, warm comfort food, scroll on by☺️
Ever buy a pkg of Hamburger helper for emergencies, and leave it set on the shelf for too long because ya just can’t bring yourself to add that processed package, and then it expires….? Well, like how about jun 11/2011!?. NO, I didn’t use the packet! I just used the Noodles. Substitute Penne or even Bow tie Pastas for the mac if you like.

Change it up. Use Bratwurst or andouille sausage in the place of the hamburger and sausage meat.

1/2 lb hamburger, not 80/20 because you don’t drain it.
1/2 lb mild sweet Italian sausage.
1/2 onion chopped finely.
1/2 c Cream.
1/2 c half n half.
8 oz grated cheese….Colby in this case
10 Crimini mushrooms, sliced.
1 cup macaroni plus a little……(I used the 1 pkg hamburger helper meal macaroni).
About 2 c water with 1/8 tsp salt and 1 Tbsp Costco’s better than bullion (less sodium) chicken or use chicken broth And the salt.
Olive oil 2 Tbsp
salt and pepper to taste.
Parmesan Cheese to sprinkle on top
Tapatio sauce or Tobasco

Optional. Condiment.. Add fresh tomatoes and scallions on top for garnish.

Turn the IP (instant pot) onto Sauté and adjust to More. Let heat a bit and add olive oil and put the burger and sausage in and shop it up and sauté till done, (if you like it brown, do that in a skillet, it works faster and better).
Add the onion and Mushroom slices and sauté for a minute.
Move the Burger and Onions to one side and dump the noodles in and cover them and spread them out with the hamburger, don’t stir in too much.
Add the broth or water, butter, salt ,cream and Chicken broth.
Turn the pot off and back onto manual, set it for 3 min. . If you use penne or other artisan pasta increase time to 4 min.
Lid on quickly and vent to sealing. And let it go.
When it beeps, do a Quick Release and then turn off. When the pin drops, take the lid off. Turn pot back on to Sauté. Stir in the half and half. Let it come up to bubbling. Add the cheese and stir in. Let it bubble for an minute and turn off the pot while you make your veggie. About 5 min. It will soak up more of the cream.
*(If you use all heavy cream, you can add it before cooking.) it will continue to thicken after you stir everything in.

Serve with hot sauce and parmesean.

Zuppa Toscano IP

This delicious Soup is one of our favorites, and probably one of the fastest and easiest that I have made.
Here is the link to my Greek Bread that is what we drove with it. I guess the one hour fast roll recipe would work well for the sticks if ya have time.
Greek Bread Breville or oven.

1- 1/2 lbs Sweet Spicy Italian sausage (mild can be used as well)
Optional….3 pieces of Bacon chopped.
1 onion chopped 1/3“ to 1/4” pieces.
3 cloves Garlic minced.
4 white Potatoes finely sliced in food processor or mandolin..they should be almost see through and ply-able ), you could even run the onion through the same blade if you want.
5 big leaves of Kale chopped into about 1-2” pieces. (Or 1 1/2 5 Oz bags)
6 cups Chicken broth. Bone broth works just as well.
1 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
2 Tbsp low sodium Better than Bullion Chicken flavor .
Salt and Pepper to taste….(go easy on the salt because bacon and sausage and broth have salt).
Pinch of Nutmeg (only a small pinch because nutmeg takes over really fast and flavor comes out when it’s heated)

Garnish: Parmesan cheese or grated Parmigiano/Reggiano Cheese (Deli or fresh grated is best )

Serve with hot Sauce or Red Pepper Flakes.

While you can use the IP to sauté your Meat, I use a good frying pan, just because it’s faster and more efficient.
Break up Sausage and Bacon together and sauté til almost done and a little brown to give the soup more flavor. If you have used Bacon ….spoon off all but a couple of Tbsp fat, and reserve it in case you want to add some back in later. No When the sausage is done, deglaze the pan with a few Tbsp water. Add it to the Pot with the meat. Add all other ingredients as well as the Cream.

Put the Lid on. Set the time for 2 min. When it’s done allow for 5 min NPR. (natural pressure release) .
Serve with Parmesan and hot sauce or flakes.

This is from a batch where I added the Bacon. I always sauté the meat before adding it to the Pot.

To simplify the process, I use a food Processor to chop the Garlic before adding the slicer for the Onions and then Potatoes.

Always add the Meat on the Bottom first then layer the rest.

This pic is from another batch. If you want, you can quickly sauté the onions and garlic, but it doesn’t make a lot of difference in the taste.

Serve with my Greek Bread! Greek Bread Breville or oven.

Rice a Roni IP with or without Chicken

Rice a Roni. With or without chicken.

Decide If you will be adding Chicken, I use Bone in Skin on Thighs. The recipe also includes instructions on the adjustments that you will need to do if you dont want the onion or if you dont want to do it with Chicken.
Make sure that if you are making Chicken with this that you DECREASE the Liquid by 1/4 c (you will use 1 3/4 c) this allows for the added liquid that the Chicken will make. If using Organic Chicken then ignore this note, (organic is not injected with liquids). You will need to Season and Brown it well on both sides while you sauté the rice, vermicelli and onion… then you will add it when it’s ready to put the lid on.

FOR THE CHICKEN:
4 bone in Skin on Chicken Thighs…. well seasoned on both sides with your favorite seasoning. (I use Johnnies seasoning.).
(Or use 2” chunks of raw Chicken but decrease the cook time to just 4/10NPR)
don’t forget to decrease water/ broth for the rice to 1 3/4c). * If you want to cut the Chicken into smaller 2” chunks, then you don’t need to pre Saute it, just toss it in and pressure cook for 4 min/10 min NPR. 2 Tbsp EVOO

FOR THE RICE -A-RONI:
1 1/2 cups Jasmine, Basmati or long grain rice.
1 c vermicelli.
1/2 stick butter.
1-1 1/4 c Onion-Chopped
1 clove Garlic- minced
2 cups Chicken Broth plus 1/4 tsp Salt (1 3/4 c if making the Chicken too) OR use water with 2 tsp Costco’s Reduced Sodium Better than Bullion Chicken).
NOTE: If you are making just the Rice-a-Roni alone and leaving out the Onions and Garlic, then and only then, you will increase the liquid to 2 1/2 c . Staying with the 1:1 rice to liquid ratio. Make sense?
If your not using Chicken then skip that step and continue on to “Turn the Instant Pot to Saute……” you will still turn the pot off after you brown the rice and vermicelli to deglaze…and then set the time to 4 min with 10 min NPR.

*If using Chicken, Use a separate frying pan on medium, with 2 Tbsp of Olive oil. Place seasoned Chicken Skin side down for about 5 min and carefully pull up and flip. It should be golden brown.
When the Chicken has browned, remove it from the pan and use some of the liquid for the rice mixture to deglaze the pan, stir it around to get all the brown off.
While Chicken is cooking….

*Turn the Instant Pot to sauté, Medium …melt butter and add the rice and vermicelli, stir continuously for a few minutes until rice starts to brown slightly. Add Onion and Garlic and continue to sauté for a minute and then add the Better than Bullion to the water, stir. Add liquid. Stir the rice mixture well to get the brown off the bottom.
Turn pot off. Add all the liquid to the rice mixture and stir around for a few seconds to get any brown off the bottom of the pot.
Gently add Chicken to the top…by just lightly Laying it on top of the Rice mixture and then turn the pot on to manual for 4 min…let it fully NPR, 15-20 min, or for smaller chicken chunks then NPR for 10min. Remove Chicken and fluff with a spatula or wooden spoon.

Toss the Butter, Rice and Vermacelli in and slightly brown. (stock photo. ) Then the Onion and Garlic, Sauté for a minute and then toss in the Chicken Broth or the water and Bullion.

If your adding Chicken…. see below starting with the Chicken in the frying pan.

GREEN GODDESS DRESSING

Add 1 Perfectly Ripe mashed Avacado to the Creamy Italian Dressing.

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 c Mayo.
1/4 c EVOO.
1/4 c Basalmic Vinegar.
1/2-1 tsp Italian Seasoning.
2 tsp Grey Poupon Mustard.
1 clove minced Garlic.
1 Tbsp Worchestershire Sauce.
Salt and Pepper to taste.
1/4 tsp . Mrs Dash Onion and Herb seasoning

Mix together in a Bowl.

Use this recipe minus the Evoo and Basalmic Vinegar And use in the place of Mayo on sandwiches