Category: recipes

15 Bean Soup with Sausage Recipe

Post author By KS
Post date January 28, 2024
1 Comment on 15 Bean Soup with Sausage Recipe

On cold winter days nothing says comfort quite like hearty soups. And they’re typically easy to make. Start with a base of chicken or vegetable stock, add vegetables, a grain, and seasonings. Plus, whether or not you add meat is totally up to you. Moreover, you don’t have to follow recipes exactly. Ultimately they’re up to your imagination. For instance, this 15 bean soup with sausage recipe is traditionally made with ham and bay leaves. Since I didn’t have any ham, I used Italian sausage that I did have. And I leaned toward more Italian spices as well. It was delicious. Furthermore, I made this in my electric pressure cooker. But it can easily convert to the stove, if you prefer. I hope you enjoy.

Ingredients for 15 Bean Soup with Sausage Recipe

3 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 lbs 15 bean soup, any brand (rinsed and soaked)
1 lb Italian sausage
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 tbsp fresh minced garlic
6 c vegetable broth
4 1/2 c water
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp each dried basil and oregano
1 can diced tomatoes with juice
12 oz frozen spinach
and 1 1/2 c – 2 c cooked rice

15 Bean Soup with Sausage Ingredients

First, add olive oil to Instant Pot and press sauté; add sausage and sauté till almost brown, stirring.
Next, stir in carrot, celery, onion, garlic, and sauté till vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes more.
Then stir in beans, broth, water, seasonings, and diced tomatoes. Lock lid in place and press Manual or Pressure Cook button. Select High and cook for 1 hour.
When time is finished, let steam pressure release normally. While it’s releasing, cook spinach according to directions on package. And then unlock and remove lid on Instant Pot. Add spinach and cooked rice to Instant Pot, stirring till well combined.
Finally, serve and eat immediately.

What did you think of this recipe? Do you have a favorite winter soup recipe?

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Tags 15 bean soup recipes, cold weather meals, comfort food, instant pot meals, soups

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Brown Sugar Ginger Glazed Carrots

Post author By KS
Post date January 21, 2024
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Usually when I make carrots, they’re in a soup or a stew. But occasionally, I’ll remember to cook them as a side like in this brown sugar ginger glazed carrots recipe. They’re an upgrade from more traditional glazed carrots recipes. With the liqueur, orange juice, ginger, and vanilla bean paste, it’s the perfect flavor.

In addition, I usually steam my vegetables in the microwave. Most of the time I’m cooking several things at once, so I don’t have the space on the stove. However, if you prefer steaming your carrots on the stove, go here. Just know that it will take longer to cook them since you have to wait for the water to boil. Please enjoy.

Ingredients for Brown Sugar Ginger Glazed Carrots

2 lbs carrots, peeled & washed
2 tbsp each butter, Tuaca liqueur or similar flavored liqueur, brown sugar, and orange juice
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp ginger and vanilla bean paste

Brown Sugar Ginger Glazed Carrots Instructions

First, cut carrots into julienne strips. (I used a grater.)
Next, place in a microwavable casserole dish with 1 tbsp of water; cover and microwave for 3 minutes to steam.
Then put the remaining ingredients in a pan on medium heat, and cook till thickened.
Add carrots to pan, stirring till coated.
Finally, remove from heat and serve with your choice of meat.

Did you make this recipe? Or do you have a favorite side recipe for carrots that you make?

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Tags cooking with liqueur, food, healthy, healthy recipes, julienne carrots, Recipes, steamed vegetables, vegan

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Chicken with Orzo Recipe

There are a lot of recipes out there featuring one pot chicken with orzo. But this isn’t one of them. Most of the time, unless I make steak, I use my NuWave oven to cook meat which is similar to an air fryer. It takes less time. Plus, the food isn’t greasy. And it cooks to perfection.

Ingredients for Chicken with Orzo

3 chicken breasts
salt and pepper
3 tbsp butter
1 lb uncooked orzo
1 1/2 tbsp fresh minced garlic
32 oz chicken broth
1 cup of fresh baby bella mushrooms, sliced

Chicken with Orzo Instructions

First, season chicken with salt and pepper. Then cut the chicken breasts into 1 inch by 4 or 5 inch long strips.
Next, cook the chicken strips in an air fryer or NuWave oven according to the manufacturer’s instructions. I cooked my chicken strips in a NuWave oven for 7 minutes per side. And check internal temperature when timer goes off; 170° for chicken.
While chicken is cooking, start melting butter in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Then add orzo and stir till it’s all coated.
Next, stir in the garlic, stirring frequently, so the orzo turns golden.
Further, pour the chicken broth and mushrooms in with the orzo. Bring the orzo to a boil; then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 12 – 15 minutes.
Then when the chicken is finished cooking, add it to the orzo.
Finally, serve with your favorite vegetable.

If you want to convert this to a one pot meal, you can. You would just cook the strips of chicken in the frying pan before the orzo. This was a hit for my family, even with more than one pan.

Did you make this dish? What did you think? Do you prefer one pot meals?

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Tags baby Bella mushrooms, chicken, food, healthy eating, healthy meals, orzo, pasta, Recipes

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Prime Rib with Red Wine Sauce

Post author By KS
Post date December 21, 2023
No Comments on Prime Rib with Red Wine Sauce

Every Christmas, when Sam’s puts them on sale, I’ll buy a prime rib roast to make prime rib with red wine sauce. I use the same recipe I’ve been using since my husband and I got married almost 22 years ago. Though, like a lot of my recipes from when we first married, I won’t be able to tell you where it came from. Except that it was a very small cookbook.

This recipe is a family hit. And it never gets old. Plus, the sauce is the perfect combo for the roast. Moreover, it’s easy to make. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Ingredients for the Roast:

1 4-6 lb prime rib roast
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp each of coarsely ground mixed peppercorns, mustard seed, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard

Ingredients for the Wine Sauce:

2 or 3 minced green onions
1 c red Zinfandel wine; you can also use Pinot Noir or Merlot
14 1/2 oz of ready-to-serve beef broth
1/4 c all purpose flour

Instructions for Prime Rib with Red Wine Sauce:

Heat oven to 450°F. With the tip of a knife, make shallow slits in surface of prime rib. Then insert minced garlic. Next, mix ground peppercorns, mustard seed, Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard well. And spread over the surface of the roast. Place the roast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
Bake at 450°F for 15 mins. Then reduce to 350 to cook for an additional hour to 1 1/2 hours. Or until meat thermometer inserted in the center registers 140°F for rare.
Remove the roast from the pan and cover with foil to keep warm. And remove all but 2 tbsp of drippings from the pan. Add the diced green onions, and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until the onions are tender. Then incorporate the wine. Continue cooking over medium high heat until mixture boils, scraping brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
In a small bowl, mix together broth and flour, and stir into wine mixture. Cook until mixture comes to a boil, stirring frequently. Then boil until slightly thickened. Finally, slice the roast, and serve with the sauce.
Finally, enjoy with your favorite sides.

What’s your family’s traditional meal for the holidays? Did you make this prime rib with red sauce? How did it go?

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Tags christmas, Christmas dinner, diy preparing your own food, food, holiday-meals, holidays, prime rib with wine sauce, Sam's club warehouse, traditional holiday meals

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Christmas Spiced Mixed Nuts Recipe

Post author By KS
Post date December 17, 2023
No Comments on Christmas Spiced Mixed Nuts Recipe

This flavorful Christmas spiced mixed nuts recipe perfectly captures the season. Plus, it’s extremely easy to make with only 5 ingredients. But if you want to add more to it, you can. And there’s no oven involved. In addition, it makes a great gift in a tin. However, after you taste them, you just might want to keep them all to yourself.

Ingredients for Spiced Mixed Nuts Recipe

~ 2 lbs unsalted mixed nuts
3/4 c brown sugar
1 tsp each of cloves, cinnamon, and salt
1/4 tsp each of cardamon and Chinese five spice
and 3 tbsp water

Recipe for Christmas Spiced Mixed Nuts Instructions

First, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. If using foil, spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Next, put all the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and stir before heating in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir again, and microwave 1 to 2 minutes more.
Then spread onto the cookie sheet and allow them to cool completely. It only took ~ 30 minutes in my kitchen.
Finally, pass around and enjoy!

These didn’t last long at my house. I didn’t get to pass any out, because we ate them all. They were just that delicious. Did you make any? What did you think?

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Easy Holiday Chex Mix Recipe

Post author By KS
Post date December 10, 2023
1 Comment on Easy Holiday Chex Mix Recipe

Holiday season and making sweets go hand in hand. There’s cookies and breads to be baked. And candies and trash to pass out. Wait, what? Trash? Well, that’s what this easy holiday Chex mix recipe was called when I lived in Texas. Plus, some people make them hot and spicy, while others, like me, make them sweet and salty.

Originally I used to add mini marshmallows to this. However, they would get stale in no time. Therefore, I cut them out. Moreover, you can swap out the almond bark for white chocolate if you want.

Just the Chex cereal layers here.

Ingredients for Easy Holiday Chex Mix

24 oz almond bark
7 – 7 1/2 c mini pretzel twists or pretzel sticks (I used pretzels twists)
and 5 c each of rice, wheat, and corn Chex cereals

Drizzle the chocolate on the cereals here prior to adding the pretzels.

Easy Holiday Chex Mix Instructions

First, line your counter space with either parchment paper or wax paper.
Next, with a measuring cup, pour out each of the 3 cereals evenly mixed over the paper.
Then melt some of the chocolate according to the package instructions. And, once melted, drip evenly over the cereal mix. (I used a spoon to do this.)
After the first chocolate layer, spread the pretzels evenly. And melt more chocolate to drip over the pretzels.
Allow to cool. Then store in an airtight container or enjoy immediately.

Add the pretzels and more chocolate.

Did you make this recipe? What did you think? Thanks for stopping by! Please like, share, and if you haven’t already done so, you can follow me now.

Tags Chex cereal, Chex mix, holiday recipes, Texas trash

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Beef and Barley Soup in the Instant Pot

Post author By KS
Post date December 3, 2023
1 Comment on Beef and Barley Soup in the Instant Pot

Fall and winter are the perfect times to make soups and stews. They’re hearty with meats, vegetables, and grains. Plus, they warm you up when it’s chilly out. Recently I made this beef and barley soup in the Instant Pot. However, you can make it on the stove. Also, it only serves 4 people. So, if you want leftovers or you’re serving more people, just double the recipe.

Ingredients for Beef and Barley Soup in the Instant Pot

~ 12 oz beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 c water
1 of each, onion and celery, chopped
4 tsp beef bouillon
1 tbsp fresh minced garlic
1 c frozen mixed vegetables
14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 medium potato, washed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
and 1/2 c quick cooking barley

Beef and Barley Soup in the Instant Pot Instructions

First, add the oil to your Instant Pot, press the Sauté function, and add your garlic. After a couple of minutes add the beef, onion, and celery. And sauté for ~ 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Next, add the remaining ingredients. Then secure the lid, moving the valve to the sealing position. Further, hit Cancel and either hit Manual or Pressure Cook for 20 minutes. When it’s finished, allow Instant Pot a 15-minute natural release, (meaning you do nothing for 15 minutes) followed by a quick release.
And finally, serve immediately.

The original recipe came from Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook 12th edition, I think from 2002. But I’m not exactly sure on the date, since the copyright page is missing from my book. And it’s not online. Though, if you’re interested, you can get the cookbook on Amazon or another online bookstore.

I don’t use barley much. Truthfully I forget about it. However, I enjoy it in soup when I do remember it. What’s your favorite soup during winter?

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Tags cold weather food, electric pressure cooker, foodie, homemade, homemade soup, instant pot, recipe

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Recipe for Cranberry Fruit Salad

Post author By KS
Post date November 15, 2023
No Comments on Recipe for Cranberry Fruit Salad

After looking for a particular recipe online a few years ago, I started getting tons of recipe emails from Southern Living. Unfortunately I don’t have time to go through every recipe email I receive. But, because I’m always looking for something new, I still go through the holiday emails. Well, it was 2 years ago that I tried a recipe for cranberry fruit salad during Thanksgiving. And it was all thanks to Southern Living that it’s now part of our Thanksgiving meal.

However, it can be part of really any meal, or served as dessert. But, because it’s cranberry-themed, you might choose to just have it around the holidays. Plus, it tastes absolutely delicious. And I’m sure it will become one of your family’s favorites as well.

Ingredients for Cranberry Fruit Salad:

32 oz fresh cranberries
3/4 c Truvia
1 c fresh orange juice
1 c drained maraschino cherries
4 Bartlett pears, peeled and chopped
1 can each drained mandarin oranges and pineapple tidbits

Instructions for Cranberry Fruit Salad:

Bring the first 3 ingredients and 1 c water to a boil in a large pot over med-hi heat. And stir often. Then reduce heat to medium, and simmer.
Continue to stir occasionally, 20-25 minutes or until cranberries pop and mixture thickens.
Next, remove from heat, and allow mixture to stand for ~ 15 minutes. Then stir in the cherries and the rest of the ingredients. Transfer to a bowl. Finally, cover and chill 2-12 hours.

Regrettably, when I went back through my food emails, to link to the original recipe, I could no longer find said recipe on Southern Living. It literally says “page not found” on the Southern Living website. Regardless, it was published November 2020. However, I think the recipe was called Old School Cranberry Salad, since I found a similar recipe on this site. Moreover, here are more cranberry salad options to choose from.

What’s your favorite recipe for cranberry sauce? Thanks for stopping by! Please like and share, and if you don’t already follow, you can do so now.

Tags cranberry salad, holiday food, homemade, Thanksgiving

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Pasta with Spinach and White Sauce

Post author By KS
Post date November 12, 2023
No Comments on Pasta with Spinach and White Sauce

My favorite type of sauce to make is a white sauce. You can add shrimp, chicken, or sausage to it. And you can mix in different types of vegetables and seasonings. The same is true for a red sauce. However, it just doesn’t come together the same, at least to me. Most pasta with spinach and white sauce recipes are made with penne pasta. Though, the recipe below is made with elbow macaroni. However, you can substitute any pasta you want.

Ingredients for Pasta with Spinach and White Sauce

1 1/2 lbs elbow macaroni
2 (12.5 oz) cans of canned chicken breast, drained
1 (6 0z) package of microwavable frozen spinach, cooked according to instructions
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup half n half
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
2 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp dried basil
4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 tsp granulated garlic powder
and salt and pepper to taste

Pasta, Spinach and White Sauce Instructions

First, fill a pot with water, and follow package instructions for cooking elbow macaroni. Since the rest of the recipe doesn’t take long to cook, get the noodles started.
Next, in a medium saucepan, add whipping cream, chicken breast, and seasonings; stir over med-heat for a couple of minutes.
Then stir in tomatoes, spinach, and cheese, stirring occasionally. Check seasoning, and adjust if needed.
After ~ 5 minutes, adjust temperature to low, until pasta is finished.
When elbow macaroni is done, drain the water. And place noodles back into pot.
Further, pour all of the sauce over the pasta, gently combining them together.
Finally, serve immediately.

What is your favorite sauce for pasta? Did you make this sauce, and what did you think?

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Tags comfort food, easy meals, fast food prep, white sauce

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New Potatoes in the Instant Pot

Post author By KS
Post date November 5, 2023
No Comments on New Potatoes in the Instant Pot

Because we had another hot summer this year, I didn’t use my stove nearly as much. And I don’t think I used my oven at all. Thus, my favorite kitchen appliances are those that don’t put out as much heat. My electric pressure cooker, aka instant pot, is the first one that comes to mind. When we first received our instant pot from a neighbor, my husband was the only one who used it. But when I realized how efficient it was, gone were my days of sweating at the stove. Below is one of my family’s favorite side dishes. Originally this Southern Living recipe was meant for the stove. However, it easily converts to use in an electric pressure cooker. Plus, I’ve found that cooking new potatoes in the instant pot is much easier than on the stove. Especially the standard recipe.

Instant Pot New Potatoes Ingredients

2 1/2 lbs of new potatoes
7 tbsp butter
1 1/2 tbsp each of dried parsley and lemon juice
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp lemon rind
1/2 tsp pepper
and 1/8 tsp nutmeg

Instructions for New Potatoes in the Instant Pot

First, scrub and quarter the new potatoes.
Next, put the potatoes in the instant pot. Then add the remaining ingredients.
Cook on high pressure for 7 – 12 minutes.
And finally, serve with chicken or pork and a green vegetable.

Even though I have the original recipe, it’s in hardcover format. And unfortunately, I couldn’t find it online to share. In addition, it was printed ~ 20 years ago. Although, if you want the original, you can order the book on Amazon or elsewhere. The cookbook is Southern Living: 30 Years of Our Best Recipes. And the recipe is called “Lemon-Buttered New Potatoes”.

Do you have an instant pot? Did you made the most out of it this past summer as well? And what’s your favorite recipe to cook in it? Thank you for stopping by! Please share, post a comment, and if don’t already do so, you can follow me now.

Tags electric pressure cookers, instant pot new potatoes, instant pot recipes, new potato recipe