Saturday, April 6, 2013

Pressure Cooker Pintos, World's Fastest Salsa and Lawry's Chile & Garlic Salt

I happened upon a new Seasoned Salt at Walmart, Lawry's Fire Roasted Chile & Garlic Coarse Ground Blend. It sounded like something I'd like so into the cart it went. The big aromas of garlic and chipotle just couldn't wait to burst out of that jar! As soon as I opened it I knew this was something I'd enjoy cooking with and got started right away:@)
This is my kind of snack!

Pressure Cooker Pintos for Refried Beans
I wanted to make some refried beans and decided to use my 4 quart electronic pressure cooker added 1 tsp Chile & Garlic Blend, 1 C dry pintos (sorted and rinsed) and 3 cups of water to the pressure cooker. Set it on high for 22 minutes then used the quick release method. My beans were cooked and soft. I reserved about 1/2 C of liquid and drained the rest. I added the beans to a heated skillet that had about 2 tsp of bacon fat (use any fat you'd like) add 1 tsp more of the Chile & Garlic Blend, cumin to taste (just a bit this time, I wanted the chile and garlic to be the dominant flavors) mashed them while cooking until they reached a refried bean consistency. Add a little bean liquid if it gets too dry.

World's Fastest Smoky Salsa
While I'm thinking the only thing faster is opening a jar... Someone out there probably has a faster version, but this is pretty darn quick and only has three ingredients. 10 oz can of Rotel-drained (store brand is fine), 1/2 tsp Chile & Garlic Blend (or more to taste) and juice from 1/2 lime. Add to food chopper and give it a whirl until the consistency you like. Let sit for at least an hour for flavors to mingle. Makes about 1 C.

There you have it folks, two things that came to me immediately to try with this new seasoned salt. I'm glad I picked it up and if you enjoy southwestern flavors I think you'll like it too!

Have a happy day:@)

I'm Joining:
Full Plate Thursday
Foodie Friday

Please note: Lawry's did not contact me for this review, it's just something I enjoyed and wanted to share. Of course if they want to send a little love my way, they know where to find me:@)

**Updated for the concerns about pressure cookers: They've come a long way since Aunt Gertie's Pea Soup ended up on the kitchen ceiling... Modern PC's have many safety features and the electronic ones are truly amazing! They don't blow up any more, if there should be a problem (which I've never encountered) they simply shut down. I have an 8 quart stove top version, 6 quart Instant Pot and a 4 quart electronic one that I honestly hope keep going strong! Chicken stock in 30 minutes, baked beans from dry in less than an hour (with no oven heat in the summer-the electric ones don't heat up on the outside at all), and pea soup in 20 minutes... I love my PC's folks and encourage you to give them a try!

24 comments:

  1. I love trying out new products, Lynn, and I appreciate the recommendation on the garlic/ chile salt. I have a pressure cooker and need to us it more often. The beans sound good and the salsa is the perfect pairing! Happy weekend to you.

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  2. I confess that I have a pressure cooker and have never used it. I'm amazed at how quick those beans cooked though! This recipe is a good enough reason to dust it off. :)

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  3. I'm confessing too! I am afraid to use a pressure cooker. When my mother was cooking in one, she made us leave the kitchen. Then she would rush in, check the gauge and rush out. Am I missing out on a good thing here? Your plate looks worth taking a risk to reproduce!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  4. How fun to find something new to try. Love your fast salsa too Lynn. I don't have a pressure cooker, but my brother-in-law loves his and says Jacques Pepin highly recommends it.
    Sam

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  5. Well Lawry's should give you a whole box of them to try to create with and post about. You always have so many yummy dishes posted.

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  6. I am hungry! I read the title and knew this post was written for me! I have a pressure cooker but have not used it much...it is a scary thing.....

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  7. I love your salsa recipe! Sounds so smokin' good!

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  8. Hi lovely lady.
    I have a pressure cooker and use it lot.! Hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend.
    XXOO Diane

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  9. My daughter makes refried beans and I have been trying to get her to buy a pressure cooker for some time now..Perhaps this post will convince her.

    Thanks again for your Cheeseburger soup recipe..I am working on a pot of it right now and have added some of my own touches, like bacon, snipped up with scissors and green beans. Also think I'll add a few globs of cream of mushroom soup for that mushroom salt addition you did.

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend. xo

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  10. And healthy too! Looks good. sandie

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  11. I find some wonderful things at Wally World. Will be on the look out for this seasoned salt. xo

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  12. Your post demonstrates why I love blogging. I was all set to cry about peas on the ceiling and my Deep Fear of pressure cookers, but you have put my mind at ease. Your refried beans have convinced me to buy a pressure cooker. Thank you!

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  13. Yummmy Looks so good...have a great weekend~~Debb

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  14. Home-made pinto beans...sounds delish! Have a great week ahead :)

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  15. Lynn, Every time you mention your pressure cooker I want to buy one! Your beans and salsa sound delicious especially with your chile & garlic blend...where's the cerveza? :)

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  16. We haven't had a pressure cooker in a few years, but you are correct. They are a lot safer these days. The last one had all those safety features, and Mom used to talk about how much safer they were than the ones she had used when she was younger. We keep saying we should buy another one. Maybe we will soon.

    I've always bought refried beans when we have tacos, but I bet they are much better homemade. Thanks for the recipe. If I ever get another pressure cooker, I will have to try it!

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  17. My mom bought me an electronic pressure cooker from QVC. I used it only six times and then it broke. The times I did used it though my meals turned out terrific. The thing I like about how you cook is that you instinctively know what ingredients go together. Everything you make always appeals to me.

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  18. Oh Yum! Now that is totally my kind of snack! I've enjoyed this many times before but all from cans or jars. I've never thought of cooking my own beans or much about pressure cookers before either. I may have to look into this a bit more as your version looks so fresh and delicious!

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  19. Sounds like my kind of seasoning. I know what I'll be looking for at Wal-Mart! Thanks for sharing.

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  20. These two dishes sound delicious and I will look for that new Lawry's seasoning.

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  21. I keep meaning to buy a pressure cooker, as one of my good friends makes all her vegetable sin one and they taste so much better. The Lawry's chili and garlic seasoning blend sounds fabulous!

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  22. Lynn, thanks for bringing new products for us to try, its fun! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope to see you again soon!
    Miz Helen

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