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Savory Vegetables

Culinary Tales/ Savory Vegetables

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

So, we’ve had the instant pot for awhile and I’ve yet to make one of the simplest dishes there is: Mashed Potatoes! Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are fairly easy to make and delicious.

Another plus to making the mashed potatoes in the instant pot is that it frees up your stove and time to cook the rest of your dinner! Especially helpful on Thanksgiving Day or just when you’ve got a lot of different things to cook in general.

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

To make these you’ll need potatoes (Russet or Yukon), water, milk, butter, salt, and just a smidge of cream cheese.

Start by peeling and cutting the potatoes into smaller chunks.
Place them in your instant pot liner and add your water.
Place the lid on top of the pot, seal it, and place it on manual for 8 minutes.
Once they’re done cooking switch to vent and quick release!
Next, drain them.
Add the milk, butter, cream cheese. Mix and mash them well. Make sure there aren’t any lumps.

They are ready to enjoy! You can also leave them in the instant pot on warm while you prepare the rest of the dinner!

[You can make them Dairy Free as well. Follow the same directions as above but, instead of the milk, butter, and cream cheese – you’ll add a dairy free margarine spread like country crock, almond milk, and chicken broth!]

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2-3 lbs Potatoes (Russett or Yukon)
  • 1 Cup Milk
  • 1/2 Cup of Water
  • 1/2 Stick of Butter
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • 1 Tsp Pepper
  • 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tsp Onion Powder
  • 1 Tbsp Cream Cheese

Instructions

1

Start by peeling and cutting the potatoes into smaller chunks.

2

Place them in your instant pot liner and add your water.

3

Place the lid on top of the pot, seal it, and place it on manual for 8 minutes.

4

Once they're done cooking switch to vent and quick release!

5

Next, drain them.

6

Add the milk, butter, cream cheese, and seasonings.

7

Mix and mash at the same time.

December 7, 2020
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Culinary Tales/ Savory Vegetables

5 Minute Homemade Salsa

Yesterday, I made this 5 Minute Homemade Salsa! It was so easy to make & it taste just like restaurant style salsa!

I used fresh tomatoes, limes, cilantro, onions, poblanos, garlic, and a little tomato paste. I threw it all in my Ninja Food Processor and in less than 5 minutes it was ready to devour!

5 Minute Homemade Salsa

I used one large tomato as well as some cherry tomatoes, because that’s what I had on hand. Start by removing any stems (tomato & poblano) and seeds (from the poblano). Next, dice your onion. The cilantro can be left as is, the stems are fully edible and good for you too!

Now, If you have the time and supplies – I highly recommend roasting your tomatoes and peppers via the grill or oven. I had a few extra minutes so, I lined a pan with foil and sprayed it with cooking spray allowing my tomatoes and Poblanos to roast for about 10 minutes.

This step is totally optional and you can easily go straight to blending your salsa if you’d rather. Either way will yield delicious restaurant style salsa every time!

Place the tomatoes, onion slices, cilantro, poblanos, crushed garlic, and tomato paste right into the food processor! Squeeze your lime right on top of the other ingredients, getting as much juice as you can out of it and then discarding the rind. Place the lid on tight and blend away.

You can also add salt, black pepper, and white sugar to taste. I used about a dash of each.

Once your salsa is mixed thoroughly it’s ready to serve! Super simple, fresh, and delicious.

Serve immediately or place in the fridge in a sealed container for 3-4 days.

This Salsa is perfect to keep on hand as a snack and it goes perfectly with my Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos!

5 Minute Homemade Salsa

Print Recipe
Serves: 4 Cooking Time: 5 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 3-4 Large Tomatoes or 15-20 Cherry Tomatoes
  • 1/2 Cup of Cilantro
  • 1 Tbsp Crushed Garlic
  • 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 1 Small Poblano Pepper
  • 1/2 White Onion (Diced)
  • 1 Lime
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Sugar (Optional/To taste)

Instructions

1

Add diced onions, poblanos, cilantro, tomatoes, tomato paste, and crushed garlic to blender. Squeeze lime juice in and discard lime.

2

(Optional) Add black pepper, salt, sugar to taste.

3

Blend on high.

4

Serve and enjoy!

May 1, 2020
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Culinary Tales/ Savory Vegetables

French Fry Board

I love all of the appetizer boards that have been floating aorund lately, from classic charcuterie, to dessert boards. I see one everytime I turn my head. And rightfully so, they offer a little bit of everything for everyone. Today I’m making a French Fry Board perfect for game day (and really every day because I mean french fries are involved!)

French Fry Board

When making a French Fry Board one must consider how many different fries it will feature. For me this came down to the size of the board. I did not have a board big enough (shameful, I know) so, I opted for a sheet pan covered in kraft paper. I figured I would be able to fit about 5 different kinds of fries comfortably. Next, I decide on fries with varying size, texture, and taste.

I selected Curly Fries, Crinkle Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Steak Fries, and Dipping wedges. Fortunately for me 3 out of 5 of them had cooking times and temperatures that matched so, I threw thos ein the oven. Simultaneously, I threw the other 2 in the air fryer. Cook the fries according to the directions on their packages.

Meanwhile get your board (or tray) set up. To do this I placed a sheet of kraft paper over my sheet pan. Then I started filling up my dips and placing them in the center of the tray. I went with : sour cream and onion dip, nacho cheese, ketchup, honey mustard, orange sauce, mandarin terriyaki, and buffalo sauce.

As soon as the fries came out I added them to the tray, keeping them each in their own sections!

Finally, garnish. Once you have all of your fries and all of your dips on the tray it’s time to garnish. I added some rosemary and parsley to the fries. As well as sesame seeds to the terriyaki dip, minced garlic to the orange sauce, and a little chives to the sour cream and onion dip!

Now it’s ready to enjoy. The variety in this board is what makes it so appealing..and well fries..

This French Fry Board is perfect for your next get together! I will definitely be serving it on game day along with this Chili Cheese Dog Dip!

French Fry Board

Print Recipe
Serves: 10-12 Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • Curly Fries
  • Crinkle Cut Fries
  • Sweet Potato Fries
  • Steak Fries
  • Dipping Potato wedges
  • Various Dipping Sauces (ketchup, ranch, buffalo, terriyaki, etc,)
  • Rosemary & Parsley for garnish

Instructions

1

Cook fries according to directions on package.

2

Line sheet pan with kraft paper.

3

Add dipping sauces to the middle.

4

Add fries to the sheet pan after they finish cooking. Keep them in separate sections.

5

Sprinkle with salt.

6

Add garnish to the fries and a little to some of the dips.

7

Serve and enjoy wile warm!

January 31, 2020
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Culinary Tales/ Savory Vegetables

The 21 Best Avocado Recipes

Avocados are super fruits! They are nutrient rich, power houses. Did you know eating more of them every day can benefit your health and your taste buds?!

They have a subtle nutty taste, with a rich creamy texture. Basically, they pair well with a large variety of flavors and ingredients!

So, today on the blog I’ve compiled a list of The 21 Best Avocado Recipes! Here are my favorite, beyond delicious ways to help you incorporate more avocados into your daily routine!

Continue Reading…
January 21, 2020
12
Culinary Tales/ Savory Vegetables

Caramelized Bacon & Green Bean Casserole

I’m making a classic, easy green bean casserole and adding one of my favorite ingredients! Bacon.. But, not just any bacon, Caramelized Bacon. In my opinion adding bacon to anything only makes it better. This savory Caramelized Bacon & Green Bean Casserole is very simple to make and the first side to go at any family dinner!

Caramelized Bacon

To make the caramelized bacon, take 3 Tbsp of Praline Pecans (basically glazed pecans – they can be found at most grocers) and crush them in the food processor. Next, pre heat your oven to 350 degrees. On a baking sheet spread your precooked bacon in a single layer. On top sprinkle the crushed praline pecans. Bake in the oven for just a few moments. Keeping a close eye so as not to burn them. Pull them out after about 3-5 minutes and allow them to cool. Chop bacon. Set aside.

Caramelized Bacon & Green Bean Casserole

This Casserole is really simple because it’s mainly all about assembling. Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees again.

In a large casserole dish add two-three cans of cut green beans.

Next, add a can of cream of mushroom soup and one cup of milk. Mix around thoroughly until the beans are evenly coated.

Cover the top of the casserole with fried onions.

Place your casserole in the oven for about twenty minutes. Turn it once halfway through. Sprinkle your caramelized bacon all over the top. Return to oven for an additional five minutes.

When the top of the casserole is golden brown it’s ready to go.

Remove from the oven and let cool for a few moments before serving!

Caramelized Bacon & Green Bean Casserole

Print Recipe
Serves: 5-6 Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2-3 cans of cut green beans
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 medium can of fried onions (about 2 1/2 cups)
  • 8 pieces of precooked bacon
  • 3 Tbsp Praline Pecans
  • 1 cup of Milk

Instructions

1

To make the caramelized bacon, take 3 Tbsp of Praline Pecans - crush them in the food processor.

2

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. On a baking sheet spread your precooked bacon in a single layer.

3

Sprinkle the crushed praline pecans over top. Bake in the oven for 3-5 min. Allow them to cool. Chop bacon. Set aside.

4

In a large casserole dish add two-three cans of cut green beans.

5

Add a can of cream of mushroom soup and one cup of milk.

6

Mix around thoroughly until the beans are evenly coated.

7

Cover the top of the casserole with fried onions.

8

Bake for about twenty minutes. Turning once halfway through.

9

Sprinkle caramelized bacon over the top. Return to oven for an additional five minutes.

10

When top of the casserole is golden brown it's ready. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few moments before serving!

This Casserole can be thrown together at the last minute and it’s perfect for any holiday or family gathering! Be sure to check out the recipe for my Drunken Chorizo & Sage Dressing, because they pair insanely well together.

October 5, 2019
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