Minestrone (Instant Pot)

August 16, 2018 Amanda Plott

Yeah, so... I might be on vacation, but that doesn't stop this work engine from running. I really wanted to get at least one recipe out during the week of my being gone. So whilst in the midst of packing and sorting and getting ready, I was also busy in the kitchen. Okay. Not really busy. This Minestrone soup is delicious, simple, tradtional, and couldn't be any more quick or easy to make.

One of my favorite things about this soup, is that it's a great way to use up leftovers from the fridge or pantry. Any of the vegetables or noodles or beans can be swapped out for nearly any alternative that you might have on hand…

Southwest Egg Bites (Instant Pot)

August 3, 2018 Amanda Plott

I've had a rough couple days of it. There were two recipes that I was SO excited about sharing, but... in the midst of testing them, they didn't turn out nearly as well as I had planned. They both tasted great. But, there was just something off about the process and the directions. ...Which means that I've still got some work to do.

So needless to say, it's been a couple of days in between recipes again. Which is not my favorite thing to do. I would much rather keep it fresh and new around here. But, I also don't want to put anything up here that I am not completely happy with. If I'm stressing over the cooking of a dish, that means you will be too! And that's just no good.

That's why today I woke up bright and early and reverted back to one of my current FAVORITES. Egg bites…

Chicken Faux Pho (Instant Pot)

July 31, 2018 Amanda Plott

For a good long while now I've heard nothing but good things about pho. And to be honest, I've never given it a try. My brother swears by it and about the time that my hair stylist said the same thing, I knew it was going to have to happen. So, when I was planning out my meals for the week, I decided that I was going to dive head first in and make a quick and easy version of pho.

...And let me just tell you... it's pho-king delicious.

This pho isn't what I would call traditional. It hasn't spent all day cooking down in it's broth, and the ingredients are pretty minimal. The most of what's going on here is spices and fresh veggies - which I am anything but mad at…

Italian Turkey Meatballs & Sauce (Crock Pot or Instant Pot)

July 25, 2018 Amanda Plott

An old recipe, but a good one that I just recently updated with some new photos and also a quicker way to cook these meatballs in an Instant Pot too!

This has been a favorite of mine for a long time now. Ridiculously easy? Yep.

This recipe that's a healthy take on an old classic. Flavorful turkey meatballs simmering in thick hearty tomato sauce all day long to cook. Who needs the pre-made bottles off the shelf? Not this girl.

Everything's bigger in Texas, right? I kept the size of these meatballs rather large since I have some fun plans for the leftovers. And the sauce? Oh, yes. The. Sauce. This is amazing stuff right here…

Low-Carb Instant Pot Cheesecake

July 23, 2018 Amanda Plott

Today it's going to be a whopping 107 in Austin, Texas! I'm at that point of summer where it's so hot that I nearly want it to be over, but I'm also not quite ready to end the freedom with the onslaught of another school year for my daughter. Let's face it, there is just something about waking up in the morning naturally and having absolutely nothing on the schedule that's required to be done that day.

So, while it's literally as hot as hell in Texas... That doesn't stop me from wanting the things that I can't have. Or dare not have, anyway. Things that generally require the oven. Things like... cheesecake. Here we have a no-bake cheesecake that still manages to be cooked!…

Cranberry BBQ Chicken Bites (Instant Pot)

June 30, 2018 Amanda Plott

Product was provided to me on behalf of Cape Cod Cranberries to review, use, and write about. As always, all opinions are entirely my own.

Summers are for BBQs! The only thing is... it's really hot out right now in Texas. I mean... really hot. We're hovering just outside of the three digit thermometer reads, but let me just say that it doesn't feel like it. Since it's so hot out, I'm opting to stay inside where it's nice and cool. And while normally my oven is in shut-down mode for a couple more months, these BBQ chicken bites were worth it to cook inside today!

Being a native Texan, I can tell you that BBQ is big business here. It's serious business. So you know when I say that BBQ is good, that you can take my word for it. I'm not shy when it comes to playing around with the flavors of BBQ sauce, and this Cranberry BBQ sauce is no different. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's a new family favorite…