January, 2020 - Homemaker Geek

Chicken Tips

If your having trouble with dry and rubber Chicken, you may want to try a couple of my recipes, and notice the cook times.
IMPORTANT TO NOTICE… Organic Chicken doesnt have solution injected into it like regular chicken does so to still get tender and Juicy Breasts Think about Low Pressure cooking and for 3 min in the pot with 10 min NPR see pic.

this is well seasoned normal sized Organic Breasts. 1 tsp Better than Bullion Chicken 1 c water. Pressure cook selected on LOW pressure , time 3 min 10 min NPR.

Chicken Breasts. IP
Rice a Roni Recipe. Rice a Roni IP with or without Chicken.
Chicken Cacciatore IP
Important tip… Bring Meat to room temperature before cooking.

This is 3/30 (3 min 30 min NPR)

These Chicken Breasts were the Largest Chicken Breasts that I had ever seen, …over 1.25 LBs each, so I cooked them on purpose In the Instant Pot 8q Duo Crisp+ Air Fryer, pressure cooked on Hi Pressure for 5 min and 20 min NPR. And then did 5 min under the Air Fryer @ 400° .

This is the bottom of my 8qt. Each Breast Half was over 1.25Lbs! ( 1 1/4 lbs)

Chicken was not as pink as appears in the pic, and the juices ran clear.

Tender and Juicy and Flavorful TIL the last Bite!

Chicken is so often over cooked in the IP….so if you follow these tips, just remember that if it’s not quite all the way done, you can always use Sauté for a couple of minutes. Just put the lid back on, and turn vent to Venting. Turn the pot off and back on to Saute, but don’t leave, it takes just a minute or two. Also, very often, over processing them on HI pressure drives flavor out of the chicken, and doing a QR, even after Low pressure makes the chicken a little tougher than desired. I mean, not bad, but not perfect either.
This method of cooking chicken can also be cooked with teriyaki sauce or tandoori season or whatever seasoning that you choose.

For more shreddable chicken, add a minute or two more to the up front cook time.

For the video of the chicken Experiment,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/InstantPotCommunity/permalink/1485867368173913

Bone in and Skin on Large Breasts. See next picture for time.

This was two large Organic Breasts, well seasoned. Cooked at 4/20. They were tender and juicy all the way to the last point of the end, and packed with flavor.

This was 4 small to med sized Bone in Skin on thighs, cooked on the Rice setting with QR, on purpose for the sake of experimenting, because the rice setting is 12 min at Low pressure and recommended QR at the end for the rice. The Meduim Thigh was almost done so I just put the lid on for a minute more. No other action. I was Not thrilled with it being a tad bit tougher than I was looking for. It may have just been the chicken, so, my next experiment will be using the Rice setting for 8 min with 5 min NPR. And if I’m not happy, then I’ll do rice, 10/5… see where I’m going with this?
Better too little time than too much.

This was 3/30 …..3 min manual, and 30 min NPR. They were very tender and juicy and full of flavor.

Hamburger Gravy with Mushrooms

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb Hamburger
8 oz Crimini Mushrooms sliced.
1 Onion Finely chopped (1 1/2 c).
1/2 stick butter.
1/4 tsp Salt.
1/8 tsp Pepper or white pepper.
1 1/2 c half n half.
1 c milk (evap milk is ok too) More if needed.
2 tsp Costco Better than Bullion Chicken.
1/4 c flour To mix in with the Hamburger

OPTIONAL:
A few shakes of Worcestershire Sauce. no more than 1/4 tsp.

DIRECTIONS:
Partially Brown Hamburger in Butter and add The Onions and Mushrooms. Sauté for a couple minutes, then add the flour, and brown it all a bit together. This will make a good Rouix for the Gravy. Add the
Add the Milk, Half and Half, Better than Bullion Chicken Salt and Pepper.

Stir well and allow to bubble for a couple minutes. Then the heat down and barely simmer for about 15 min to bring the flavors out and finish thickening.

This pic is sausage but it’s the same process for the Hamburger.

Pork Stew IP

This an add what you want kind of stew.

2 lbs Pork Shoulder Chopped into 1 1/2” pieces. ( I buy a large Boneless Pork Shoulder for this and slice off 3” or so from the small end).
1 /2 Lg onion Chopped.
2- 1 1/2 in steak slices of Cabbage chopped into 1” pieces.
3 Roma Tomatoes Chopped
2 carrots Chopped (I do about 1/2” pieces)
2 c green beans chopped.
3 Sweet mini peppers chopped.
1 lg Aneheim pepper chopped into lg pieces.
1 Tbsp Johnnies Seasoning or Lowery’s type (or Slap ya mama type if you want more spice.)
1 Tbsp Cumin.
2-3 Tbsp Corn Starch.
2 c day old leftover veggies if you have them
1 handful of Kale chopped if you have it.
1 c Summer Squash chopped/slices
1/2-1 c Broccoli stems sliced thin. If you have them.
1 Tbsp Costco’s Better than Bullion Chicken (add on top).
1/2-2/3c water

Throw the cabbage in the pot with Onions first, then just pile all other ingredients in the pot.
Evenly sprinkle cornstarch on top, and 1 Tbsp of Costco’s Better then Bullion.
Add the water 1/2- 2/3c … yes. 2/3c ..the onion and Cabbage adds a ton of liquid as does the Pork itself.
Set Pressure cook or Manual for 4 min, yes 4 Min.
15 min NPR. (Natural pressure release ) Do not skip this.
QR (quick release) any remaining Pressure out of the pot. Open the lid and you will still see the cornstarch on top. Carefully stir the Stew to blend in the cornstarch. Taste it and add more seasoning if needed.

Serve as is, or over Rice. I did the rice in the Mini3 ….(1 1/4 c par boiled rice, and 1 1/4 c water. Rice Button QR.

Optional: As you serve up, add a Splash of your favorite Teriyaki Sauce like Yoshidas, or Shoyu (Soy Sauce).

It will look like this when you first open the lid, your going to stir the cornstarch down and into the stew.

Air Fry Hot Wings IP Duo Crisp+Air Fryer

Hot Wings, and the works!
Who needs to go out!
This is a very simple Recipe and even if you don’t have an Air Fryer, you can do these in the Instant Pot and then under the Broiler in the Oven.
In the Instant Pot, you would just put the Trivet in and use the required amount of Water in for your Pot, and press Manual 2 min with 5 min NPR, and then use the Broiler to finish them after you sauce them up.
you can also cook them a bit longer if you want them even more crispy.
Also see my Air fried Chicken Thighs here.
Air Fry Chicken Thighs or Breasts IP Duo Crisp.
And my Buffalo style Pork strips Here Buffalo Style Pork Strips Air Fryer or Oven

My Hubby said, “Baby! Buffalo Wild Wings Ain’t got Nutin on You! These are great Wings!” That is what I was aiming for? and I thought that my Son was the only one that could make good Wings.

Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer.
Preheat to 400°

1 Dozen Fresh Chicken Wings.
2 tsp Johnnies Seasoning Salt or equivalent.
1 tsp Slap Ya Mama Seasonings.
Evoo.

Mix the Seasonings together.
Spritz the Wings with Evoo then Sprinkle with the Seasoning Salts.

I don’t use the Duo Crisp Basket anymore because I want more surface area for the Food to cook , but for these I do flip my Trivet over so that it’s tall, and then I put the Broiler plate/rack on top of that. See the first and second Pics below.

Preheat the AF 400° By setting the Temp and then the Time for about 18 min, this will give you time to load the Wings for a couple of minutes. When it beeps telling you that it is heated.
Spray the fryer rack with Cooking Spray then put the Wings on top of the Rack evenly spaced out. Adjust the time to 16 min. . Flip Wings over at the half way point.

Meanwhile, make the Hot Sauce for the Wings:

3 Tbsp Butter melted
1 1/2 Tbsp Sushi Rice vinegar
2 Tbsp Worchestershire
4 Tbsp Cholula sauce
1 Tbsp Tabasco
1/2 tsp Garlic powder

Put all ingredients in a Sauce Pan and heat until hot and mixed, do not boil. Pour Some over the wings and mix in.

Serve with Celery, and carrot sticks and Lighthouse Blue Cheese Salad Dressing.

Enchiladas or Enchilada Pie with Red Sauce IP or Oven

This first Method is for the Oven. For directions for the IP go to the bottom.

Oven 350°

1 lb hamburger (You can use precooked Chicken as well.)

1 onion chopped finely (1 c)

2-3 cloves minced garlic

1 tsp Chili powder (more if needed)

1 1/2 tsp Cumin (more if needed)

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp oregano

1 can… 4 oz or 2 Cans if you want more heat Chopped Green Chilis.

2 lb grated Mexican cheese blend up you may not use it all.

*Optional red pepper flakes to taste.

1 15 oz can Enchalada Sauce (28 oz) Separated (1/2 c for the meat filling, More to dip the tortillas in, and the rest for the pan and topping)

1 pkg Tortillas Your choice of Blended or White. I used 6 for the small 7”x 2 1/2” spring form pan.

Oil for Tortillas

Preheat Oven to 350°

Use a bowl to pour the Cheese into. Set aside. Save 1 cup Out for the top of the Enchiladas.

In a 9 x 13” Cassarole dish, pour a thin layer of enchalada sauce. Spread it around evenly. Set aside.

In a Frying pan on medium high heat, brown the meat and toss in the Onion, and sauté for a couple of minutes, until onions are translucent, then the Garlic and spices and 1/2 c Enchalada sauce. Continue to sauté until garlic is cooked and sauce is blended into the meat. Taste the meat and add more spices if desired. Either pour meat into a bowl to reuse the pan or Set aside.

In a frying pan, and on medium to med high heat, add a couple of Tbsp of oil to the pan and quickly dip a tortilla in and flip, lightly browning on each side, stack Tortillas and set aside as they get done. If they get crisp, they will break as you roll them.
Using a dinner plate pour a little Enchalada sauce on the plate and take one cooked tortilla, one at a time, and dip it into the sauce and fill it with about a 10th of the meat, and then sprinkle with Cheese, and roll up. Place rolled Enchalada side by side in the Cassarole Dish with the Enchalada sauce in it. They can be made into two rows, or just one, depending on which fits better. Continue this process until all Tortillas are filled and in the Cassarole dish. Pour remaining sauce (a cup or so) over the top of the Enchiladas. Sprinkle with some cheese but save some for the end. Cover with Foil and Bake at 350°-15-20 min or until bubbly and heated through. Remove from the Oven and take off the the foil and add the rest of what you want for cheese and bake another 5 min.

To construct for IP cooking.

Add your recommended amount of water into your pot.

Follow directions from above except for using a leakproof Spring form pan.

Butter the bottom and dip the first cooked tortilla in the sauce, and layer, meat, cheese, E sauce dipped tortilla, repeat until you use all the tortillas or run out of Meat and room
Finish with a Tortilla dipped both sides in Enchilada Sauce on top, (you may choose to hold the top layer of cheese off so it doesn’t stick to the foil) add it later .

Cover with foil, lower into the instant pot using the Long handled trivet or a fashioned sling.

Press Manual or Pressure cook for 20 min. 15 Min NPR. Meanwhile turn on your oven broiler. Remove Pie from pot and take foil off add cheese to the top… put under the broiler or your air fryer Lid 5 min, to melt the cheese .

Very Lightly fry the tortillas for the rolled up Enchiladas and for the pie, do them like this.

Add onion, garlic, spices, chili’s, enchilada sauce

Add small amount of meat filling and then just about 1/4 c cheese. Repeat

This is what it looks like when you remove the foil add 1/2 c cheese, and put under broiler or air fryer lid. 4 min under the air fryer lid

8q Duo Crisp Air Fryer . Made this whole thing.

Sop up the grease with a napkin or paper towel. But yum!

Pineapple Coconut Upsidedown cake IP

Prepare for the melt down! This one is goooooood!

These 2 small Bundts can also be Baked in the Oven at 350° for 25 min. Check for Doneness.

Check your pot to see if two bundts will fit stacked in your 6 q. I used an 8 q. If you can’t get 2 bundts in you may be able to use 2 small cake pans. See what fits.

1/2 recipe of the “Cake White and Simple” …Moms White cake recipe http://Cake white and simple. … except substitute some of the Pineapple juice for the milk…see below

Topping :

1 can (15 1/4oz) drained Pineapple Chunks or Crushed. Reserve juice.
1/2 cup shredded sweetened Coconut.
1/4 c brown sugar.
1/4 c butter melted
1/4 c Maraschino Cherries (I didn’t have them)

2 mini bundt pans (6 3/4” x 2 1/2”) you will stack them. I have an 8 q. Or use 2 stackable small non stick Cake pans.

Split the can of P A Chunks between the 2 Bundt Pans sprinkle both with the Coconut. Mix the melted butter and brown sugar and pour it over the Coconut .

Mix 1/2 the cake recipe below in the picture according to directions. Except use Butter instead of Shortening, and reduce the milk to 2 Tbsp and Substitute 1/3 c Pineapple Juice for the rest. It should = 1/2 c.

“Cake White and Simple” in the menu. Moms White cake.http://Cake white and simple

Split the batter on top of the Pineapple, Coconut and Brown Sugar toppings already in the bottom of the Pans. Carefully Bundt pan on the counter a few times to settle the bubbles out.

Add your recommended water to the Pot. Add the Long handled Trivet, and then one pan on the bottom, cover and add another trivet or rack, then the last pan full of cake. Cover that with foil or a pots lid that fits or stainless lid from your stackable pans set. Mine are called “Dubbas” brand.

Set Manual for 20 min and then 15 min NPR.

This is what it looks like if you cover it

This is what it looks like if you don’t cover it. No big, this goes on the plate.

Miso Soup IP or Stove top

This simple soup is perfect for a light snack or appetizer. Add more or less ingredients to your personal taste. Sometimes I like More Tofu and Niri if I am making it our meal. See last Pic.

*See below for IP instructions, you will use the Sauté feature only for this.

1/3- 1/2 c Miso Bean paste ( to taste)

4 c Chicken Broth

A few shakes of Fish Sauce

1/2 tsp Sesame Oil

1-2 tsp Soy Sauce (to taste)

Niri sheets 2-4 cut up (Sushi sheets) or I also use the snack Niri sheets from Costco.

1/2- 1 pkg Tofu cut up in 1/2” cubes (I like firm)

2-4 Scallions chopped (If you don’t have Scallions, then finely chopped Leek will work)

Optional *Red Pepper Flakes
For a twist add Chopped fresh Cilantro

*If using the Instant Pot you will not use the lid. Just turn the Pot to Sauté Hi and heat the soup, then turn to Low.

Add Oil, Soy, Pepper, Fish Sauce and Miso Paste to a medium sized pot and bring the Broth to a boil then add Niri sheets, Scallions and Tofu, turn down to warm. Taste Soup and adjust seasonings per your personal taste.

Serve with the fresh Scallions

Notice the next picture. I chose to make with more Niri and Tofu.

Cake White plain and simple

This is real Cake. A bit more Cakey than boxes. (More dense)

In the picture, I only made 1/2 recipe, and made it in a 12” round cake pan and frosted it and cut it into quarters and stacked them up. That is what you see.. you can do this in a 9x 13 casserole pan or 2 8”-9” cake pans.

This goes well with butter cream frosting and just a sprinkle of nutmeg on top.

Moms White cake

2 1/4 c Flour.
1 tsp Salt.
1 1/3 c Sugar.
3 tsp Baking Powder.
1/2 c Shortening (I use Butter.)
1 c Milk.
1 Tsp Vanilla.
2 Eggs

I know this doesn’t make sense but it is written this way.

Sift dry ingredients into a bowl. Add Shortening, 2/3 c milk, and Vanilla. Speed 2 in Kitchen Aid for 1 min. Stop. Add remaining milk and Eggs. Speed 2 …30 sec. Stop. Scrape bowl, Turn to speed 6 and beat 1 min. Pour Batter into2 greased and floured 8”-9” cake pans. Convection Oven. 350° Or regular Oven 375° 20-25 min

Check for doneness.

I’ve had this recipe for almost 40 yrs . And before that…mom had it for years as well. So no telling,,,but it’s at least 40 and was for the Kitchen Aid stand mixer K45SS.

Baked Potatoes IP

BAKED POTATOES:

Ex large Potatoes.
Seasoning Salt if desired
Evoo or favorite Oil to rub on .
30 min Manual HI pressure.
15 min NPR.
1 c water in the Pot for the 6 q. (1 1/2 for the 8 q)
Trivet

Clean the Potatoes and dry them well, rub with Olive Oil, put the Potatoes on the Trivet and lower into the Pot.

Set Pressure cook/Manual 30 min, and 10-15 min NR.
You may get by with 25/10 min NR

For Large Potatoes 20/10 works

Check out my Recipe for Loaded Baked Potatoes here:
Loaded Baked Potatoes ..“Abel Bakers” IP Or Breville Oven

Meatloaf IP

This can also be Baked in the Oven 350° for about an hour. Check for doneness. Personal opinion, is this is Easiest done in the Oven because it is less work to serve unless you want to serve it out of the Bundt pan.

Meatloaf
A tad more spicy/ flavor than just hamburger loaf…

1 lb Hamburger
1 lb mild Italian sausage
(Or for less rich loaf/sausage, do 1 1/2 lbs burger to 1/2 lb sausage)
1/2 c Parmesan
2 eggs
2 Tbsp Worchestershire
1 c onion chopped finely and sautéed (sautéing removes the excess liquid from them so the loaf doesn’t turn out mushy.)
4 cloves garlic minced and sautéed with onion
2 tsp Italian season
3/4 c almond flour for Keto (Or use Rolled Oats Or Bread Crumbs)
Salt
Pepper
1/4 c milk
2 Tbsp mustard ( dry works best)
2 Tbsp Catsup.

Topping
3/4- 1 c catsup
2 Tbsp tube type tomato paste
1 large Clove Garlic Minced
1 1/2 tsp Italian season

Mix together. Set aside.

use a bundt pan that fits in the IP for the 6 q,
Spray Bundt Pan and a small cake pan for leftover meat mix. (A bit much for just the bundt).
Note: The Meatloaf mix all fits in an 8 1/2” bundt that fits the 8 q.

Add 1 c water to 6qt .

Add trivet
Cover the Meatloaf ..Using a longer handled trivet, or a sling made from foil, Lower the Bundt in, and set small cake pan on top, cover the small loaf.
Lid on vent to sealing
Manual 20 min 20 NPR. [for a spring form pan, do 30 min with 15 min NPR] When done, Using a Pie pan, inverted onto to top of the Bundt pan, over a frying pan, drain fat off and then flip the Bundt and pie pan over, leaving the Bundt pan on top of the meatloaf for a minute, use it to hold the meatloaf Bach while you finish draining the liquid into the pan.

I use about a cup of this juice with a Tbsp of cornstarch whisked in it, heated for a sauce to go over the veggies.
Put the Sauce on the meatloaf and put under broiler for 5 min or so…..I used the toaster oven so I didn’t have to heat the kitchen up.

Serve with cauliflower mash, or mashed potatoes, and green beans. Or whatever you like.

I used Half Almond Flour and Half Rolled oats for this one

Recipe fits a 8 1/2” Bundt for the 8 q. If you have a 6 q. It will have some leftover to fit in a small cake pan and can go on top.

Cover. And put down into the pot with the long handled trivet.

Now is the time to add potatoes on top if you want them. This is how they look going in and coming out, take them out to get to the loaf below.

If you have the duo crisp drain liquid and invert loaf onto metal plate that will fit in the pot. In this case it is the rack for the air fryer, but you can even use the spring form pan bottom, or a small cake pan. Put the sauce on top and lower it back down into the pot on the long handled trivet. If you don’t have the Duo Crisp, then just use the oven broiler.