Pickled Corn Salad with Cumin, $1.25 Barbie Size Food & Minions...

I had a couple ears of corn to use up and we were having burritos for dinner so I thought I'd try to make a Pickled Corn Salad with Cumin. The idea was, we could either add it to the burritos or eat it as a side dish. We liked it as a side dish salad. This was easy and surprisingly tasty, and the boys said it was perfect for summer:@) I love cutting it off the ear and leaving some of the kernels attached in little rows so folks know it's fresh corn. Recipe below...

Dollar Tree has this set of Barbie Size Food Erasers in with the back to school things. It has a good variety of items, hot dog, hamburger, French fries, soda and personal pan pizza, and would be perfect for doll play:@)

And I hear there's a new Minions movie out... Thought I'd share my silly Minion Deviled Eggs from back in 2016:@)

Cumin Pickled Corn Salad

For each two ears of cooked corn:

Hearty 1/4 C green/red bell pepper

Small jalapeno, cleaned diced

About 1/4 C onion, diced

3 Tblsp apple cider vinegar

2 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp oregano

S&P to taste- or your favorite seasoned salt

Fresh parsley or cilantro if you have it-optional

~Mix everything, cover and let sit in fridge for a couple hours.

Have a Happy Day:@)

Zucchini Rice Pilaf -Instant Pot or Stovetop

Exciting news folks... This Zucchini Rice Pilaf is the first zucchini recipe of 2024:@) And I honestly hope there will be many more to come! This recipe comes together pretty quickly and I used my ♥Instant Pot pressure cooker. But it could easily be made on the stove top too. When it comes to pilaf, we can add any vegetables we have or would like. I cooked the rice with some onion and large grated carrot, and added the zucchini and almonds while fluffing the cooked rice. I like for my zucchini to have a little body, and the almonds added some crunch. This was a great side dish and can easily be made vegetarian by subbing vegetable broth for the chicken broth, and maybe add a little olive oil instead of butter if desired.

Notes: 

• I used water and bouillon, you can easily sub broth or stock if you have that on-hand. 
• I used the biggest holes on the grater for the carrots and zucchini, you know your crowd... Grating smaller might help hide the veggies. If you cook the zucchini with the rice, it will almost disappear. And if you peel it, well, nobody will know it's in there at all:@)
• Leftovers? Stir fry some onion, cabbage and garlic. Toss in some broccoli or peas if that sounds good, add soy sauce and wa-la, this is a nice base for fried rice.
• My Zucchini Pinterest Board here.

So far the plants are hanging in there and I like the idea of trying to grow them vertically. I especially like cutting the large lower leaves off as the plant grows upward. It's airier, cleaner, easier to see what's growing, and much more contained. 

More Zucchini and Rice Recipes:

Zucchini & Rice with Butter

Zucchini & Rice w/Tomato Sauce

Zucchini Rice with Cheese

Taco Rice w/Zucchini & Black Beans

Spanish Rice w/Hamburger & Zucchini

Zucchini Rice Pilaf -♥Instant Pot

1 C uncooked long grain rice

1 carrot, shredded

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1 Tblsp dried onion -or- medium onion, chopped

1 Tblsp butter

1 1/2 C water

1 1/4 tsp chicken bouillon granules

1 small/medium zucchini, shredded

Handful of slivered almonds

S&P to taste

1. Add everything ~except zucchini and almonds~ to vessel. Close lid, push rice button, automatic release.
2. *Alternately: add ~except zucchini and almonds~ to pot, increase the water or broth to 2 C. Boil, reduce to low simmer, cover and cook on stove for about 20-22 minutes or until rice is done.
3. Remove lid, fluff rice stirring in zucchini and almonds.
4. S&P to taste.

Let's use up those zukes, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Sweet Potatoes with Hard Cinnamon Candy

These Sweet Potatoes with Hard Cinnamon Candies would be a very pretty holiday side dish. I loved the occasional small bite of the candy, and the red adds some nice seasonal color. No rules here folks, love butter-add lots. Want more cinnamon flavor or sweetness-add more candy. Love black pepper-yep, adjust to taste. Hitting the candy once with a hammer creates all different size bits and some dust, simply open the wrapper and pour it in. Will the candy all melt? I guess that's a possibility, but mine didn't. If you want to ensure a little color, save a candy or two to stir in before serving. This is different, and totally unexpected:@)

I cooked mine in my ♥Instant Pot, or the sweet potatoes can be steamed on the stove. This whole side dish can also be made and served in a slow cooker, only one thing to wash, and saving precious oven space too. 

More holiday sweet potato ideas: 

Sweet Potatoes-with Applesauce, Slow Cooker
Sweet Potatoes-with Bourbon or Brandy

Sweet Potatoes-Coconut Mashed, Slow Cooker

Sweet Potatoes-Mashed with Pumpkin Spice-Slow Cooker
Sweet Potatoes-Savory Twice Baked or Mashed

Sweet Potatoes with Hard Cinnamon Candy

For each:

1 lb sweet potato, peeled, washed, 1/2" cubed

5 or more hard candies, hit once with a hammer while still in wrapper

Butter

S&P to taste

1. Steam sweet potatoes until soft (6 minutes in ♥Instant Pot with 1C water, automatic release). Or add sweet potatoes to slow cooker, paper towels under lid, cook on high for about 2 hours, or low 3 1/2-4 hours. *Every slow cooker is different, I suggest a test batch before the holidays.
2. Add to bowl (or leave in slow cooker vessel), add butter, S&P.
3. Open wrapper and pour in candy, saving one or two if you choose to. Stir with fork, lightly mashing sweet potatoes as you go. 
4. Taste, adjust flavor as desired.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

What to bring for Thanksgiving if you don't bake...

We all want to contribute a little something when we visit for the holidays, but let's face it folks, not everyone likes to bake. So I thought I'd do a little round-up of different ideas and links to recipes and my Pinterest Boards for inspiration. Sound like fun? Good:@) I think when we all hear of fudge we think fussy, and thermometers, and lot's of work. And yes, that fudge is amazing... But I'm here to say you can make some ~easy~ and darn good fudge by starting with a quality chocolate chip. I encourage you to try this Microwave Rum Raisin Fudge and it might just become your signature holiday dish...

Fruitcake Fudge ~ Maple Walnut Cranberry Fudge ~ Everything with my Fudge Label

And I don't think any hostess would mind you showing up with this Cranberry Meatball Appetizer. Just be sure it's already warm and in your own slow cooker ready to serve. Maybe you even bring some cute food picks... Perfect:@) Meatball Pinterest Board here.

With charcuterie still all the rage, how about some Holiday Stuffed Celery with cream cheese, bacon and dill. Easy and this variation is honestly really pretty:@) I've shared over 14 different stuffed celery variations, why not make a sweet and savory tray. Maybe cut them into 1" bite size pieces and again, add some food picks for serving.

And you probably already guessed I'd add Deviled Eggs:@) People kinda think they are a lot of work, but they do come together fairly quickly, especially if you use a disposable icing bag to fill the whites. Another tip: Easy Peel Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs Technique-it works! You could make your Grandmom's basic recipe, or add lots of additional flavors, or even make them silly looking. My Deviled Egg Pinterest Board has 73 ideas and continues to grow...

And speaking of silly... A personal favorite, Cranberry and Strawberry Jello Mold with Apple, Celery and Walnuts. Talk about a conversation starter:@) Just look at that gorgeous color folks... Oh my, tell me this doesn't scream the holidays... Or how about an orange colored Carrot and Pineapple one. My Jello Pinterest Board here.

Why not pick up a bag or two of candy corn while it's marked down and make some kiddy table party favors... These Turkey Toes are literally as easy as pouring candy into bags and adding ribbon-done. And they're sure to bring a giggle or two:@)

Or maybe you'd like to bring a quick no-sew project for the kids... These Holiday Aprons fit Barbie, Curvy Barbie, Ken, Action Figure Dolls ~and yes~ even Elf on the Shelf:@) I'd cut them out ahead of time and bring ribbon and embellishments for the kids to glue together-fun! And of course the fabric could be any design or color. My Barbie Pinterest Board here.

So there you have just a few ideas from almost 14 years of blogging. My Recipe Index shares everything I've made broken down by category if you have something specific in mind. And I do have a Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Food and Desserts Board here. I hope you find something new to make!

🦃Happy Holiday Planning and

Have a Great Weekend:@)

Perfect Instant Pot Fresh Broccoli

The broccoli was gorgeous at the store so I grabbed some for Sunday dinner. Only problem, my stove was full of pans so I needed another option to cook it. We like our vegetables cooked but not super soft, so I wanted to figure out a way to make this work in my favorite kitchen tool/gadget... Pressure cookers kill broccoli folks, but I think I cracked the code:@) Perfect ♥ Instant Pot Fresh Broccoli only requires one minute of cook time, but the key is to -start- with boiling water. And of course, an instant release of pressure. I boiled the water in my electric tea pot. Great color and texture, this was a thumbs up winner at dinner!

Perfect Instant Pot Fresh Broccoli

1. Broccoli, rinsed, shake water out, large cut florets. Add to steamer basket in vessel.
2. Pour 1 C boiling water into vessel. Add lid, choose 1 minute cook time.
3. Instant release and serve.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

Instant Pot Pork Chop Soup (or Stew) with Potatoes and Vegetables

I love pork and I'm always looking for new things to make with it... This Pork Chop Soup with Potatoes and Vegetables was very good:@) I adapted a popular recipe so I could use my ♥Instant Pot pressure cooker. It's pretty versatile, the original called for broccoli, I used green beans from the garden, and you could easily sub some frozen peas at the end. The only thing to be mindful of, there is a lot of sodium, so you might want to cut back where you can. Oh and, I added stew to the title, I can see this with the broth a little thicker, loaded with extra vegetables as a Sunday dinner. A nice change from beef stew. Very tasty stuff folks!

Recipe easily cut in half.

I'm going to list what I did, 

click the link for the original stove top version.

The original uses bone-in chops, I used boneless.

Pork Chop Soup with Potatoes-adapted from Allrecipes

1 lb boneless pork chops-I used country ribs, fat trimmed

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp chili powder

1 bay leaf

2 Tblsp soy sauce

*3 C chicken broth

*2 C water-can use all water and add chicken bouillon

3 potatoes, cut into 1/2" chunks-I used russets and do suggest peeling them

2 stalks celery, 1/4" slice

1 C fresh string beans, cut

1 carrot, 1/4" slice

1 onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 C A/P flour

S&P to taste

1. Add everything through water to pressure cooker vessel.
2. Add lid, seal, and cook on high for 18 minutes. Automatic release.
3. Remove meat to cutting board. Cut into bite size pieces or shred.
4. Reserve 3/4 C cooking liquid.
5. Add vegetables to vessel, lid and seal. Cook on high for 2 minutes, automatic release.
6. Stir flour into reserved liquid, add back to pot. It will most likely thicken up as you stir it, if not, use saute feature to thicken.
7. Add pork back to soup.
8. S&P to taste.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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Zucchini Rice with Cheese -Instant Pot or Stove Top & Garden Update

This Zucchini Rice with Cheese is a good way to use up some zucchini, and also a nice way to change up a weeknight rice side dish. It's another idea where, other than the rice to water ratio, there really isn't any strict recipe. Have a small or large zuke? Use it. Crew love cheese? Add more. You get the idea:@) In addition to being a stand alone side dish and perfect for grilled meats, I think it would work very well in burritos or tacos too. I also like the pretty gold color, just a little bonus!

Recipe easily scaled up or down.

Actually,

I made half in my ♥3 quart Instant Pot.

Let's see how many new zucchini ideas and recipes I can add to my Pinterest Board this year,

this makes five:@)

What's happening in the raised bed garden,

pictures from 7/12/22:

Zucchini, I've been cutting powdery mildew leaves off,

it's hanging in there, I don't think I'll have the plant much longer.

But it sure was a major producer!

Family, neighbors, co-workers... dog walkers...

Zukes for everyone!!!

Cucumbers in the corner, they're producing now.

I made a nice big batch of Easy Bread and Butter Refrigerator Pickles.

Pepper plants are beginning to grow now that I've pulled the crookneck squash.

They like late summer heat, so there is still plenty of time for them to produce:@)

The pyramid my son made, I 💗 it...

I did move the strawberries to a separate bed and add some portulaca.

Next year it will be all portulaca from the start.

My tomato plants are ~very~ happy!

Fingers crossed I have plenty to share:@)

Nothing turning red yet.

Long view:

The string bean packs said bush beans...

Um, kinda more like pole beans?

So I stuck the arbor in to try to get them off of the ground.

What's the world coming to when you can't trust a 25¢ pack of seeds???:@)

Overall the garden has been a big success this year!

And I've been making notes for next year.

Also have some ideas for fall planting too...

So the experiment continues:@)

Zucchini Rice with Cheese

1 C rice

1 bouillon cube or 1 tsp base or granules

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1 C shredded zucchini

1/2-1 C shredded cheddar cheese-you know your crowd

• Instant Pot: 1 1/2 C water, rice, bouillon and spices. Seal, push rice button, automatic release. Fluff rice, gently fold in zucchini and cheese. Add S&P to taste, serve.
• Stove Top: 2 C water, rice, bouillon and spices. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer, cover, cook until rice is tender, approximately 18 minutes. Fluff rice, gently fold in zucchini and cheese. Add S&P to taste, serve.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

Cold Barbequed Bean Salad -From dry or canned pinto beans

I was curious to try this Cold Barbequed Bean Salad guessing it would be perfect for picnics and grill-outs... And it is:@) I know it sounds odd, a cold side salad that has a BBQ sauce type flavor profile? But I promise it will appeal to most in the crowd! The recipe makes a ton, it's easily cut in half, and even half will go a ~long~ way. My only suggestion is, don't skimp on the green and red bell peppers, they really add a nice bite. Don't hesitate to give this a try folks, especially if you're looking for something different to bring to the 4th of July BBQ!

 I did start with dry pintos, 

no soak, and used my ♥Instant Pot for 28 minutes, natural release.

Use extra 1 minute increments if needed.

Don't see why we can't sub canned beans, 15 oz = approximately 1 1/2 C of rinsed beans. 

Barbequed Bean Salad-from Taste of Home

16 oz dried pinto beans, sorted, rinsed, and cooked

1 medium onion, diced

1 medium green bell pepper, diced

1 medium red bell pepper, diced

15 oz can corn, drained-I used frozen corn cooked in microwave for a minute

-Dressing:

1/4 C ketchup

1/4 C cider vinegar

1/4 C olive oil

3 Tblsp brown sugar

1 Tblsp Worcestershire

1 Tblsp chili powder

5 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1. Cook beans your favorite way, drain. Or rinse canned beans, drain well.
2. Add all veggies to large bowl.
3. Bring all dressing ingredients to boil, reduce to simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Let dressing cool for a bit.
5. Pour over veggies, mix well.
6. Store in fridge until serving time.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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ReView: Instant Pot Vegan Baked Beans & Barbie Easter Bonnet from Recycled Bottle Cap

I know prices have been skyrocketing but we can still get a pretty good bang for our buck with dry beans... These Vegan Baked Beans were very tasty and I promise you won't miss the meat:@) Another bonus, they can be baked in the oven, or my favorite method, cooked in the ♥Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. Don't hesitate to give these a try folks, I think you'll be happy you did.

And as we approach Easter, I love the idea of making little Pill Box Hat Easter Bonnets for Barbie:@) It's a fun project recycling a water bottle cap,  and the hats can be embellished with anything in your craft stash.

Make something just for fun and have a happy weekend:@)

ReView: Sweet and Sour Beef Stew-Instant Pot or Slow Cooker & Hooded Cape for Kid Dolls (Barbie)

Looking for a substantial meal that's a little different? Want a new recipe to try in your ♥Instant Pot? This Sweet and Sour Beef Stew was a big hit at Sunday dinner and just might be added to our menu tomorrow:@) It's a heartier, stick to the ribs version of it's oriental cousin and perfect for a cold winter day. Don't hesitate to give it a try folks, pressure cooker, slow cooker or stove top, this one's a winner.

A couple weeks ago I made a hooded cape for Barbie, I thought it would be fun to make one for Chelsea and Kelly too:@) Free patterns here.

Make something just for fun and have a happy weekend:@)

Instant Pot Taco Chicken Pasta Dinner -One Pot Dump Recipe

Sometimes I feel like I need a meal that's super easy and fast. I've seen a lot of 'dump' recipes for slow cookers, and used that as inspiration. I had a thawed boneless chicken breast and decided to try a quick, "toss everything into the ♥Instant Pot pressure cooker, and see how it turns out" meal... I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised! This Taco Chicken Pasta Dinner came together in minutes, and was a mildly spiced, hearty meal. Use any beans you have on-hand and there's wiggle room with the amount of chicken... I like to cut back on meat whenever I'm using beans. Don't hesitate to try this one folks, it's not gourmet, but a nice pantry item meal idea to tuck away for when needed:@)

Perfect as is, or it can be topped with shredded cheese, 

green onions, black olives, and/or sour cream. 

Can serve with corn bread, tortilla chips, or ideally, a nice green salad.

Oh and, hot sauce on the side is always a good idea:@)

Taco Chicken Pasta Dinner

1 C elbow macaroni, can use some whole wheat

up to 1 lb chicken, thawed, cut into bite size pieces-I used half of a large boneless breast

1 envelope taco seasoning

15 oz beans, black beans, kidney beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed

15 oz can corn, drained, or up to 2 C frozen corn, thawed

10 oz can tomatoes with chiles, Rotel or store brand, use the liquid

1 C water

Anything you'd like to serve with it

1. Add macaroni to vessel first.
2. Add raw chicken over pasta.
3. Sprinkle everything with taco seasoning.
4. Pour in beans, corn and tomatoes with juice.
5. Add water.
6. Choose manual setting, 4 minutes, automatic release when done.
7. Stir, let sit for about 10 minutes so pasta absorbs some of the liquid, serve in bowls with toppings as desired.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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Top Three Posts of 2021

It's always fun, and a bit surprising, to look back over the year's posts to see which were the most popular... I love that this year's group has quite literally, a little bit of everything! I say that because I'll add Butterball Cookies as an honorable mention, #3 was pretty close. My focus or direction for 2022? I'll simply say I'm going to try to eat a tad healthier and do some more walking. My biggest foodie goal? I'd like to learn how to make homemade frozen chicken nuggets. Bite size, whole breast meat, lightly breaded and ready to go from freezer to air fryer whenever buffalo chicken sounds good (which is often:@) 

As for my top three...

#3 Orange Marmalade Meatballs -Littler Dipper Crock Pot or Larger Slow Cooker

My co-worker says she thinks of Pig In Mud as an appy blog.

Looks like other folks do too:@)

#2 Zucchini and/or Summer Squash Relish -Canning Recipe

It always tickles me when a canning recipe makes the list!

#1 -How to Make Dry Vegetable Soup Mix in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Yes folks, we do ♥ our Instant Pots:@)

Scrolling through, I was thinking back and have to say,

my personal favorite from this year?

Without a doubt, these Sugar Cookies with Jello Frosting are well worth making again!

As 2021 comes to an end I'd like to say thank you!

Thank you for taking the time to stop by my little corner of the blogging world.

Your visits are what keeps me looking for new recipes and ideas to try, and to share.

I wish you a very ~healthy~ and Happy New Year:@)

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Peck of Pickled Peppers Deviled Eggs & How to make Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

The idea behind these Peck of Pickled Peppers Deviled Eggs is to load them up with lots of crunchy fresh peppers. You can use bell peppers or jalapeno as I did here (my no-heat jalapeno plant was ~very~ happy this year)... Pickled peppers? Sure, simply allow jarred peppers to dry on a paper towel a bit then small dice and add some of them too. But I think you'll really enjoy the nice bite from fresh peppers. And it's hard to beat the pretty red and green for Christmas:@)

No real recipe, just make your favorite deviled eggs and stir peppers into the yolk mixture.

For added color I sprinkled some over top of the eggs too.

While we're big fans of a little paprika topping,

I didn't think about that adding that one more layer of peppers until after I took some pics.

Might be nice...

How to make hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker:

1. 1 C water in vessel.
2. Put rack in vessel and place eggs on rack.
3. Set to manual for 6 minutes.
4. At the beep turn off but leave eggs in pressure cooker for another 6 minutes.
5. Release any remaining pressure and immediately put eggs into ice water to cool down. It's the ice water that's important so they peel easily.

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Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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Instant Pot Swiss Steak Stew -Pressure Cooker Recipe

I thought I'd make a small change to a traditional recipe to make it work for me, and this Swiss Steak Stew turned out to be a nice Sunday dinner:@) I wanted my beef to be fork tender so I used my ♥Instant Pot pressure cooker. But at the same time, we do like our vegetables to still have a little body and bite, so the vegetables got added after the meat cooked. Served it over mashed potatoes for a retro diner kinda feel... Wa-la, a very hearty meal for the cooler months! 

The tomato gravy was really different and this will be added to our meal rotation:@)

Recipe inspiration from The Iowa Housewife.

Swiss Steak Stew-Pressure Cooker

1 1/2 - 2lbs stew meat

1 Tblsp dried onion

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

pinch of salt

1/2 C water

15 oz can stewed tomatoes, use liquid

large green pepper, thick sliced

large stalk celery, 1/4" sliced

1/2 small onion, 1/4" sliced

1 tsp beef Better Than Bouillon or 1 beef cube, maybe more to taste later

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 C water

2 Tblsp corn starch, add more for a thicker gravy

S&P to taste

1. Pressure cook first six ingredients 50 minutes, automatic release.
2. Add next six ingredients (everything except last three). Pressure cook for 1 minute. Automatic release.
3. Taste the broth, add S&P, and more bouillon if desired.
4. Stir cornstarch into water, use sauté function, add corn starch mixture to pot, cook until thickened. 
5. Serve over mashed potatoes, noodles or rice.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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Pineapple Basil Salsa for Grilled Meat & Leftover Salsa Rice

I was grilling a couple ham steaks and wanted to serve something a little summery as a condiment to go with them. This Pineapple Basil Salsa was perfect. Why basil instead of cilantro or parsley? Because it grew very well in the planter with tomatoes this year:@) This was super simple using canned pineapple, I just had to cut up a few vegetables and squeeze a lime. Wa-la, dinner was served. Now, you know your crowd, not jalapeno fans? Use all sweet peppers. Fire lovers? Use all hot peppers. This is a nice fresh tasting side dish, perfect with grilled ham, chicken or pork. It's probably pretty good as a dip with tortilla chips too.

Salsa Rice:

I'd guess one 20 oz can of pineapple made about 3 C of salsa.

I had 1/2 C salsa leftover.

Cooked 1/2 C long grain rice with 3/4 C water in my 3 quart ♥ Instant Pot.

Then mixed it with the salsa. 

A very nice way to use up leftover salsa folks, any flavor of salsa (Pico de Gallo Rice here).

Pineapple Basil Salsa

20 oz can crushed pineapple in juice, drained (a mesh strainer is best)

1/2 C peppers, any combination-I used 2 jalapenos and some red bell pepper for color

1/2 C diced sweet onion

juice from one lime

1-2 tsp sugar

2 Tblsp fresh basil, minced ~or~ fresh cilantro ~or~ fresh parsley

pinch salt and some freshly ground black pepper

~Mix everything and serve.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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Instant Pot Garlic and Parmesan Fresh Green Beans

I've had a lot of luck with succession plantings of planter green beans folks. There are always three pots going in various stages of growth each summer, and I'll be picking beans until October. My first new recipe this year was these Instant Pot Garlic and Parmesan Fresh Green Beans and they were a ~huge~ hit at Sunday dinner:@) Super simple, clean and trim beans, use ~lots~ of slivered garlic, cook in ♥Instant Pot Pressure Cooker, and sprinkle with grated parm when done. Wa-la, dinner is served. Fresh beans have a tad of fuzz, that helps the cheese stick really well.

How long to cook fresh string beans in a pressure cooker?

I like mine to have a little body, 1 minute.

2 minutes for softer and 3 for really soft.

Could these also be steamed on the stove top? Absolutely:@)

I just emptied one planter for this dinner...

The one on the left will be ready to pick in a week or two.

The one on the right is a couple weeks old.

Instant Pot Garlic and Parmesan Fresh Green Beans

Garden string beans, as much as you'd like, I had about 1/2 lb

Garlic, slivered, as much as you'd like, I used 2 large cloves, we all agreed more would be nice:@)

Pat of butter-optional, but I did use it

Grated parmesan, as much as you'd like, at least a hearty sprinkling you know your crowd...

1. Add 1 C water to vessel of pressure cooker.
2. Add beans to seamer rack or basket, place in vessel.
3. Seal and set to cook for 1 minute (or 2-3), use manual release.
4. Pour beans into bowl, scooping out as much garlic as possible.
5. Add butter if using, stir.
6. Add pinch of salt, stir.
7. Sprinkle top with as much grated parm as desired, the kind in the can, and serve.

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Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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Cheesy Broccoli and Rice -Instant Pot Pressure Cooker -Knorr's Knockoff

I'm always on the lookout for a little bloggy inspiration and as soon as I saw the rice mixes on the store shelf I thought, I could make that, so I did:@) Today we're making Cheesy Broccoli and Rice in the ♥Instant Pot pressure cooker. Now, for all of it's merits, and there are many, pressure cookers are not kind to broccoli. But... If you've ever made one of these rice mixes, you know the broccoli is only little green specks anyway, so into the pot it went! 15 minutes later I grated on a little cheddar cheese, gave it a stir, and our side dish was served. 

Want to make this even healthier and more whole foods? 

Use chicken stock instead of bouillon and omit the water.

The key is to break up the cube, or experience has shown me it will stay in one spot

 and make the rice around it bright yellow, and not much else.

For each 1/2 C long grain rice:

3/4 C water

1-2 chicken bouillon cubes, broken up, or use granules-2 will give you more flavor, but more salt too

At least 1/2 stalk of broccoli or more, 1-2" chunks. Optional, you can grate the stems into it too

Grated or shredded cheddar cheese, as much as you'd like-you know your crowd:@)

1. Add everything except cheese to vessel, set valve to sealing, choose the rice setting, let 'er rip.

2. Use automatic release, stir rice, add cheese, give light stir and serve with S&P at table.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

Chili and Lime Corn on the Cob

The corn looked pretty good the other day so I picked up my first few ears of the season. Popped them into the ♥Instant Pot, 1 C water, 2 minutes, automatic release, and shortly thereafter... Lunch was served:@) Every once in a while I mix up the flavors a bit, this time I tried Chili and Lime Corn on the Cob. A little chili powder and freshly grated lime zest was a very nice addition! When I was a kid, we'd have one "summer dinner" each year... A dozen ears of corn and garden fresh tomatoes! While I wouldn't trade a fresh ear of corn with butter at it's summer best for anything, my little spice additions are great for ears at slightly less than peak perfection.

Other flavors to try with corn on the cob:

Cilantro salt

Old Bay Seasoning

Lawry's Chili and Garlic Seasoned Salt

Buffalo Wing Sauce and Blue Cheese Dressing

Lemon Butter

Chipotle Powder

Curry Powder

Sweet Red Thai Chili Sauce

Southern BBQ Butter

Cajun Seasoning

Barbie Style:@)

Chili and Lime Corn on the Cob

Plan on one lime per 6 ears of corn.

Cook corn as desired, roll liberally in butter, sprinkle with S&P, lightly dust with chili powder and zest a lime over ears. Roll, serve and enjoy!

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

I'm Joining:

Wonderful Wednesday

A Morning Cup of Joe

Weekend Potluck

Fuzzy Bunny Slippers for Barbie & Instant Pot Dyed Easter Eggs

I've wanted to make some fuzzy bunny slippers for Barbie for quite a while and decided Easter was the perfect time! They only require two pipe cleaners, two itty size pom-poms and some beads for eyes. The finished slippers are about 3/4" long and fit the slender foot dolls that wear high heels. 

A few twists, some bends, a little hot glue, and ~maybe~ a half hour of your time... 

And you'll be a Super Hero in the eyes of your girl:@)

White is a little hard to photograph...

But I think you get the idea -super cute😉

Bunny from Pom-poms here.

What I did:

1. Fold pipe cleaner with one side 3/4" long. Wrap around the short end one more time to half way point, the thinner end will be the front of the slippers.
2. Working with the longer piece, fold up and over the top of the foot, make it snug. *Pic below.
3. Bend and wrap around the bottom of the slipper. Bring up the side behind the half circle for the top of the slipper.
4. Make a loop for the first bunny ear. Bring long loose end through the hole for the top of the slipper.
5. Make the second ear. Bring the loose end through the hole again.
6. Wrap around top of slipper to bottom, tuck loose end through where it wrapped around the bottom. Cut pipe cleaner.
7. Shape slippers.
8. Glue on nose and eyes.

Barbie says everyone likes to feel cozy and comfortable😎

Want a few Dyed Easter Eggs but need to save a little time? Or are you interested in trying something new with the kids? This post talks about How to Dye Eggs While Making Hard Boiled Eggs in the ♥Instant Pot Pressure Cooker:@) This was a fun little experiment that made deeply colored eggs, and tickled me with a little surprise when they were peeled...

🐰Make something just for fun and have a happy day!