Instant Pot: Ribs, Mashed Potatoes, and Broccoli

If your looking for a good instant pot bbq ribs recipe this one is really really good and really really easy! It's definitely a Fish Fam Favorite.

http://www.pressurecookrecipes.com/easy-bbq-instant-pot-ribs/

Pressure Cook Recipes has some really great IP meals. I use them a lot.

I have two Instant Pots so in one I cooked the ribs in one, mashed potatoes in the other, and steamed the broccoli on the stove. Super easy and super good.

http://www.pressurecookrecipes.com/pressure-cooker-mashed-potatoes/

Dish it all up and serve. YUM!

Life Saving Leftovers: Teri Chicken Sauce Over Rice

I really love making dinner, but sometimes it's nice to rely on leftovers, especially when we are in a rush or I don't feel well and the leftovers become life savers!!!

Our Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken from a few nights ago came to the rescue.

Heated up the sauce on the stove.

(We don't have a microwave)

Cooked some white rice.

Steamed some edamame beans.

Cut up some bell peppers and carrots.

Dinner is served!

Here is another Life Saving Leftover Teri Chicken Plate....

With green beans, fried tofu, and cut up veggies. 

Yum!

Wusthof Kitchen Knives!

I love love love my Wusthof kitchen knives!

They are sharp sharp sharp.

So sharp that I gotta be careful.

I've cut myself a time or two. OUCH! 

They do such a great job and cut so precisely with little effort!

I missed them the whole summer. LOL!

So happy to have them back!!!

Instant Pot: Saucy, Tender Pork Chops

The Fish Fam loved these tender and saucy pork chops. I put them down on their plates, we blessed the food, and then I got up to grab something in the kitchen. I was only gone for a couple minutes, but when I came back there weren't any pork chops on their plates and they were licking their chops saying, "These are the best, can you make them tomorrow too!"

Hahaha! I was like did you really just down that whole pork chop?!!

I love love my instant pots and put them to work everyday. They do a great job at making meat tender and juicy. Something that I couldn't really do in the oven or on the stove top. 

Here is the link to the recipe I used from The Kitchn.....https://www.thekitchn.com/instant-pot-pork-chops-257222

If you have an Instant Pot and have it sitting on your counter (unused) don't be scared!!! Get it out and put it to work!! You'll be so glad you did. 

I call my IP Mr. Incredible!

Breakfast Goodness

This is one of my most favorite low FODMAP breakfasts: Bok Choy, soft boiled egg, and sweet potatoes w/ some peanut butter. Yum!! It's super easy to make in my instant pot. Throw it all in for 5mins. and then it's done! I do have more sweet potato than pictured, but cut it up and didn't keep the fun flower shape. I have to stick close to fodmap safe foods and am really happy this one is a winner.

And this is THE BEST Paleo Pancake mix out there!

Sooo good!

Thank goodness I can order it on Vitacost.com and have plenty of it for me here in Okinawa.

I'll spread some peanut butter or almond butter on the pancakes with some really yummy organic vanilla strawberry jam by Stonewall Kitchen. 

I alternate between these two breakfasts, the photo at the top and this one.

I always look forward to breakfast!

Leftovers for Lunch....

Last night we had the boys favorite Teri Chicken, so leftovers were for lunchu!

My oldest whipped together some sesame noodles and it smelled delicious!

Sesame Noodles Sauce

• Wide rice noodles, the kind for Pho, cooked and drained
• 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar
• 2 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
• 3 Tablespoons Pure Sesame Oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Hot Chili Oil
• 4 Tablespoons Canola Oil
• 3 whole Green Onions, Sliced Thin

Directions

• Whisk all ingredients (except noodles and green onions) together in a bowl. 
• Taste and adjust ingredients as needed.
• Pour sauce over warm noodles and toss to coat.
• Sprinkle with green onions and toss.
• Serve in a bowl with chopsticks. 

Throw in some perfectly steamed broccoli, which after the water reaches boiling point add the broccoli to your steamer tray and cook for 5mins. They come out perfect on our stove. Then rinse them off in cold water to stop them from cooking further. 

Thumbprint Jam Cookies

If you want a quick and simple cookie, yet delicious and buttery soft with a sweet surprise, these "Thumbprint Jam Cookies" are it!!! 

I was shopping at the BX, here on our military base, and stopped to pick up our favorite "Wild Maine Blueberry Jam" and spotted a bunch of recipe cards and wanted to give these cookies a try. Super glad I did! For all my military friends I highly recommend all of Stonewall Kitchen's specialty jams and jellies that are sold at the BX. They are a bit pricier, but are on sale right now 2 for $11.

I made a couple changes...I added almond extract (did 1/2 almond and 1/2 vanilla), used less sugar, and didn't add the walnuts. *Also remember to leave your butter out overnight, so it's room temperature and that you should chill the dough for an hour.

These cookies are fun to make with your kids. My kids had fun pushing their little thumbs into the cookie dough and sneaking some dough and then dropping the jam into the holes. Because of my food sensitivities and intolerances I am unable to eat these cookies, so I really rely on others feedback and I'm so glad these turned out! That my family and friends have all said how incredibly yummy they are! 

Now go and make your own and enjoy!!

Chicken & Onions In White Sauce w/ Quinoa

This dinner was really quick and easy to make and most importantly the Fish Fam loved it!

My youngest loves loves quinoa, so I decided to do quinoa instead of noodles or rice. If you haven't had quinoa I highly recommend you try out this awesome superfood filled with lots of health benefits!

I'm always changing up recipes to adjust the dairy content (besides the butter) and this time I used a gluten free flour too....

White Sauce Ingredients: 

4 tbsp. butter (can sub with Ghee for dairy & casin free)

4 tbsp. flour (can sub. w/ gluten-free flour)

2 1/2 cup milk (we like our rice/coconut milk mix) warm

Salt & Pepper to taste

1. Directions:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan
• Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the paste cooks and bubbles (don't let it brown)
• Add the hot milk, continuing to stir as the sauce thickens
• Bring it to a boil
• Add salt and pepper to taste
• Lower the heat, and cook, stirring for a few more minutes
• Remove from the heat

*I didn't know how the gluten free flour would change the recipe, but it came out really good and all I heard from my husband and the kids of how good it was.

*If the sauce isn't think enough, in a separate pan heat up a tablespoon of butter and then add a tablespoon of flour and stir. Add the mix into the sauce and keep stirring. 

While the sauce was cooking I stir-fried some red onions and garlic in grapeseed oil and then added some diced chicken and cooked thoroughly. Let it sauté and brown to bring out more flavor, just make sure there is enough oil in the pan so it doesn't burn. 

I steamed some broccoli and cut up some bell peppers and cucumber and whala dinner was done!

Instant Pot: Un-Stuffed Cabbage Bowls

I used Skinny Tastes recipe as a start and made my own alterations. My family said it was really good!

I love using my instant pot and this recipe was fast and easy!

Add some salad and it's ready to serve :)