We recently renovated our kitchen, and one aspect I wanted to change was our appliance collection. What do we really use, how can we streamline, what needs to stay and can go? I'd say the most used appliances in our kitchen are the toaster oven (we did a trial period without a microwave and haven't missed it, more on that later!), our diffuser, and the famed instant pot. I LOVE the speed and convenience of this machine. Its replaced my crockpot and a LOT of my time. One thing I am asked for often are recipes, so here's a few of our favorites. Truly, we do not make a lot of fancy meals. What we make are favorites that are simple, easily incorporated into weekly meal plans, and items that are versatile/convenient for prep. 

 

some favorite recipes

 

Garbage Soup isn't fancy but it helps avoid my never ending struggle to guess the amount of produce I can use in a week!

 

dump and go

CHICKEN + RICE⁣

2 c rice⁣

4 c bone broth or water⁣

2-4 chicken breasts⁣

//Add contents to instant pot.⁣

Hit manual then set time to 20 minutes⁣

When its done, let release on its own a bit⁣

Remove chicken, shred. I use this for two recipes - chicken & rice with steamed veggies and then stir fry another night. Also easy for burrito bowls, just top rice and chicken with lettuce, salsa, guac, etc.⁣

⁣

TACO SOUP⁣

1 can each:⁣

Black beans (drained/rinsed)⁣

Pinto beans (drained/rinsed)⁣

Tomato sauce - small can (drained/rinsed)⁣

Corn (drained/rinsed)⁣

Rotel⁣

Diced onion⁣

2 chicken breasts⁣

1 ranch packet⁣

1 taco seasoning packet (or make your own)⁣

2 c bone broth or water⁣

//Add all contents to instant pot and stir. Hit manual, set time to 15 minutes. You can shred the chicken or even use cooked ground beef/turkey in its place. Serve topped with cheese, avocado, sour cream, or whatever you like!⁣

⁣

CHILI⁣

2 cans chili beans⁣

1 diced green pepper⁣

1 diced onion⁣

1 lb ground beef, browned (you could use raw chicken here if you want!)⁣

1 15 ounce can of tomato sauce⁣

1 14.5 ounce can of diced tomato⁣

1 can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)⁣

1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)⁣

2 tablespoons Chili powder⁣

1/2 teaspoon black pepper⁣

1/2 teaspoon salt⁣

1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional) ⁣

1 7 ounce can of diced green chiles (option⁣

//Add all contents to instant pot and stir. Hit manual, set time to 15 minutes. When its done, stir well and serve with your fave toppings. (Shred the chicken too if you chose to use that)⁣

⁣

SWEET + TANGY CHICKEN⁣

2 chicken breasts⁣

1 c rice⁣

2 c chicken broth⁣

Big squeeze of each - ketchup, mustard, bbq sauce⁣

//Add all contents to instant pot and stir. Hit manual, set time to 15 minutes. When its done, let release on its own a bit before opening. Shred chicken, stir well, serve.

easy prep staples

These two are just simple recipes I do weekly to keep staples on hand.

There is no better way to make hard boiled eggs that peel crazy easily!!

 

 

Happy instant-potting! 

 

(The salsa verde recipe is tweaked from Cooking with Curls, and the Garbage Soup is inspired by my friend Hannah Garza!)