Tom Kah----Instant Pot

Recently we ventured to a Thai restaurant that served Tom Kah, we'd never had it before so we gave it a try and fell immediately in love. We had also ordered Pho and my kids let me know right away that my Pho was better (swoon), so I then made it my mission to make my own Tom Kah. I've literally perfected my Pho recipe. So I made it a goal to now perfect my Tom Kah. Now I'm not going to lie, having never made it before I wasn't sure what to think, but for the very first time I knocked it out of the park. A few minor tweaks next time and I'm pretty sure we'll have another all time favorite soup in our repertoire. I love how easy this soup was to put together and lets be honest, the Instant Pot....what more can I say!!

Tom Kah

2 (13.5 oz) cans coconut milk (full fat)

6 cups chicken bone broth

2  stalks fresh lemongrass, remove tough outer layer and roughly chop into 1/2 inch pieces

2 large slices of ginger (skin on)

5 garlic cloves crushed (skin on)

2 limes squeezed

4 green onions, sliced (separate green from white)

8 oz mushrooms (I used shiitake, but any type will do)

2 tbsp fish sauce

2 tsp sugar

*for toppings: the green part of the green onion, Thai red chilies, fresh cilantro, more lime juice

1.)  Turn IP on to Saute on high. Add lemongrass, ginger, white part of green onion, garlic and saute until fragrant. 

2.)Add chicken broth, and lime juice. Close, turn on soup mode to medium (20-25 minutes)

3.) When done vent and strain broth. 

4.) Add broth back to IP, then add coconut milk, mushrooms, fish sauce and sugar. Close and turn on soup mode to low (10-15 minutes)

5.) Serve immediately garnished with your favorite toppings

Enjoy and Repeat!

Shredded beef tacos --- Instant Pot or Slow Cooker

I can't be the only one on the lookout for new tacos to mix up my Taco Tuesday options. This one turned out so good and was easy. Either throw it in the Instant Pot for 35 minutes or the slow cooker option all day long and you'll have tender shredded beef tacos for dinner. I chose to go the IP route, because I love the functionality of just being able to throw everything in at the last minute. Although there is a special place in my heart (and nose) that LOVES having my food slow cooked all day long. Just serve with corn or flour tortillas.  So here it is:


Shredded Beef Tacos
3-4 lbs of stew meat
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
4 Tbsp tomato paste
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp oregano
1/2 cup either picante or green salsa*
1 cup beef broth

For Garnish
Cilantro
Green Onions
Limes
Sour cream
Guacamole
Salsa
Lettuce
*I used green because I knew it wouldn't be too spicy for the 4 little mouths I have to feed.

In bowl mix stew meat and salt. Toss to coat.
Press the Saute button on IP add olive oil
Add in onions and garlic until fragrant and softened
Add in tomato paste, cumin and oregano. Stir for about a minute
Add meat
Pour in salsa and beef broth
Cover and set to "Meat/Stew" option (remember to do so you must press the "Keep Warm/Cancel" button). Set cook time to 35 minutes.
Let pressure release naturally
Remove meat and shred.

Slow Cooker option:
Place all ingredients in IP and choose slow cook option, cook on low for 5-7 hours. If you're up for it browning the meat prior to placing in IP will add to the depth of flavor.

Bahn Mi Bowl---Instant Pot

When I first came across this recipe I knew we'd love it. Although when my husband saw it on our menu for the week he questioned it being in a bowl rather than a sandwich. But after last night he's a believer, this was so good. We ate every last bite.





Bahn Mi Bowl
1 lb pork tenderloin
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
5 garlic cloves crushed
1 tsp sesame oil
3 tbsp vegetable oil
Rice noodles (I used Pad Thai)
Pickled Carrots, Cucumbers  and Radishes:
6 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp coconut aminos
5 green onions
1 bunch cilantro
1 large cucumber sliced
4 large carrots sliced
4 radishes sliced
* I use the Cuisinart attachment to slice all together, including cilantro and green onions

Season pork with salt and pepper.
Set saute on high on Instant pot
Add sesame oil and vegetable oil.
Saute pork loin until brown on all sides.
While it sautes, mix together the soy sauce, brown sugar and garlic cloves.
Pour over pork.
I did my pork on the slow cook function for 1 hour and 10 minutes. You could use the meat function as well for 25 minutes. (More or less depending on size of loin)
Make pickled carrots and radishes.
Combine the white vinegar, sugar and salt.
Pour over shredded carrots and radishes, toss well and store in fridge for at least 30 minutes.
When pork is done take it out and either shred or cut it into pieces.
Place back in Instant Pot to allow it to soak up the remaining sauce.
Place noodles on bottom of bowl, drizzle with a little soy sauce
Add pork, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, red cabbage, cilantro, green onions. Jalapenos would be a great topper as well, ours last night just happened to be extremely spicy.
Enjoy!

Chicken Enchiladas Verdes

Since I first used tomatillos recently I realized I needed to find more ways to use them. This recipe spoke to me and as always I made the necessary tweaks (didn't use jalapeno because I have 4 little mouths who eat dinner with us) to make it the perfect Verde Enchiladas. I also cheat when I make my Enchiladas, I don't roll them, I layer them.. I love writing down my recipes to help mix up my weekly menu planning.

Chicken Enchiladas Verde
2 lbs tomatillos, husked and rinsed (about 12-16 depending on size)
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup cilantro
5 garlic cloves peeled
1 dozen corn tortillas
3 1/2 cup shredded cooked chicken (I made this in my instant pot)
2 tbsp sour cream
4 oz Cotija cheese, crumbled
6 oz grated cheddar cheese

Garnish 
green onions
cilantro
sour cream

To Make the salsa Verde:
Preheat oven to broil, 550 degrees.
In large bowl toss together tomatillos, onion, garlic cloves and olive oil.
Place on cookie sheet with foil.
Roast in the oven for 7 minutes, until there are some brown spots on everything.
Turn the tomatillos and lower the oven to 400 degrees
Cook for another 5-8 minutes, until the tomatillos are soft.
Transfer to food processor and add cilantro and salt to taste.
I like mine very smooth so I ran this until a smooth consistency, but if you like it chunky don't process as much.

To make the Enchiladas:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Move salsa to a pot on stove on low. 
Spread 1 cup salsa onto bottom of baking dish.
Then add a layer of chicken.
Take your corn tortilla and dip it in salsa, covering it completely.
Layer on top of chicken.
Add a sprinkle of Cotija and cheddar.
Spread a layer of salsa, chicken, tortillas, cheese and repeat.
Very last you'll pour all remaining salsa over the top and sprinkle with all remaining cheese.
Place in oven for 20-25 minutes.
Once done, set out to cool for 10 minutes before serving

 Enjoy!
***If you want to use the jalapenos you'll want to use 2-3 stem end cut off (remove seeds to cut down on heat, or if you like the heat leave the seeds) Then they'll get cooked on the cookie sheet with the tomatillos, onion and garlic.

Pozole Verde Beef Stew----Instant Pot

I usually can tell from just reading a recipe a) if we'll like it and b) the tweaks I'll make to the recipe to ensure it's exactly what I want the end result to be. I love trying new soups, and I really love trying new recipes  that have ingredients that I don't typically use. I absolutely love how this recipe turned out, it was perfect on a nice cold night.

Pozole Verde Beef Stew
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt & pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
1 lb beef stew meat
1 25 oz can hominy, drained and rinsed
1 jar green salsa (I use Trader Joes brand)
1 1/2 cup bone broth
Avocado
Cilantro
Lime
Green onion
That's it!

Cut stew meat into 1 inch pieces.
In mixing bowl, mix cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper and add stew meat. Mix well.
Place everything in the Instant Pot, except avocado, cilantro, lime and green onion.
Stir well.
Close Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 22 minutes.
Quick release pressure.
Serve with avocado, cilantro, lime and green onion
Enjoy!!!!
Hint: If you haven't bought Hominy before you can find at most grocery stores near the canned corn.

Lettuce Wraps

I was searching for a recipe to change up our weekly meal plans, and seeing that the weather has been so summer like, high 70's for a few days I wanted something light and refreshing for dinner. I came across a Lettuce Wrap recipe, and made a few tweaks to make it my own (because I find if I just get a basic recipe I can add the things I know we love to make it that much better) and ended up making one of the most delicious lettuce wraps I've ever had. So let me share the recipe with you...


Lettuce Wraps
1 1/2 lb ground turkey (of course you can chicken too)
1 can water chestnuts, chopped
1 can bamboo shoots, chopped
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (more for garnish)
1/4 cup sliced green onion (more for garnish)
1 tbsp chopped ginger
1 tbsp crushed garlic
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp fish sauce
Juice of two limes

Add sesame oil to wok and brown meat in it
While meat is browning mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, fish sauce and lime juice together in a bowl
Add ginger, garlic, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, green onion and cilantro.
Pour on sauce mixture
Cook until done

Serve in iceberg lettuce shells, with additional green onion and cilantro for garnish.

Enjoy!!!!!

Mango, Avocado, Black Bean Chop Chop Salad

I can feel it...can you? Summer is coming. This past Friday it was a 82 and beautiful and just made me crave those summer days. We ate dinner outside and I could picture swimming in the ocean, coming home after spending all day at the beach and eating something light and refreshing. Sipping a glass of wine and eating salad a delicious salad.  Today of course is raining and summer feels so far away, now this is coming from someone who lives where it's typically 70 and sunny so I'm not definitely complaining, I'm just dreaming of what this summer has in store. 

Mango, Avocado, Black Bean Chop Chop Salad
1 1/2 cup mango, chopped (I used frozen because it was easy)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 can black beans rinsed
1 avocado, cut into chunks
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped
1 green onion, chopped
1 cup chicken, cooked & chopped
Juice from 2 limes
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup cilantro
salt to taste

Mix all ingredients together and serve over lettuce. 
*I actually made everything (excluding the avocado and tomatoes) this morning and it's in the fridge marinating to get extra flavor, the kids and I have tasted it a few times (hey a chef has to taste their food to make sure it's good) and I can say I'm super excited for dinner. 

Cilantro Potato Salad

Summer time is coming, which means BBQ, cook outs and spending time outside. Here's a new potato recipe to try. I'm not one for potato salad, actually I don't really like potatoes typically at all but this potato salad was amazing. Not to mention they were fresh grown potatoes picked straight from our backyard yesterday morning. Actually all of the ingredients (except the mayonnaise) were from our backyard garden, even the garlic & green onions was from our backyard.

Cilantro Potato Salad
1 1/2 Tbsp mayonnaise
3/4 cup cilantro leaves chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt
2 lbs small new potatoes, cooked
1/3 cup finely chopped green onion

In a bowl stir together mayonnaise, cilantro, green onion, garlic & salt. Add potatoes and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken

What I love about this one is you can change up the flavor just by changing what salsa you use, well and it's a super simple recipe that only needs 4 ingredients.



Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken
chicken (I use thighs or breasts)

1 jar salsa (my favorite is the Salsa Verde from Trader Joes as it's not too spicy for the kiddos)
1 bunch cilantro chopped
1 lime squeezed
1 chopped onion

Place all ingredients in crock pot, cook on low 6-8 hours.

Serve as taco meat, burrito meat, on top of rice, in a soup, meat for enchiladas, with beans, the options are endless....


This would also be really good with a ground beef, ground turkey or even a pork loin/roast.

Lets get Crocking

I'm going to start with my newest all time favorite go to crock pot soup. What I love about this soup is not only how easy it is but also the flavors are different than most crock pot soups/stews.

Thai Chicken Rice Noodle Soup

2 cans coconut milk (I prefer using 1 full fat and 1 low fat)
1 lb chicken thighs/breasts
3-4 garlic cloves minced
2 tbsp minced ginger (I probably add closer to 4 tbsp)
4 Cups chicken stock
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 red bell peppers
2 cups snow peas
limes
cilantro
jalapeno (optional, I don't use as we have small tummies we are feeding, but could easily be served on side for people who like spicy)
Rice noodles

Put coconut milk, chicken, garlic, ginger, chicken stock, soy sauce in crock pot.
Cook on low 6-8 hours
10 minutes before being ready to eat cook rice noodles on stove top and add to crock pot
5-10 minutes before dinner is ready (depends on how crunchy you like your vegetables) add in bell peppers and snow peas.
Allow people to add their own limes, jalapeno and cilantro as a garnish

In this recipe I play around with the vegetables we add, carrots, bean sprouts, organic pea shoots, bok choy, etc...