Chicken Bacon Ranch Shredded Chicken Sandwiches (Kristi Original)

My sister in law has been very very sick for 6 months. I was looking for a meal that would be easy to make for me and easy to rewarm as they needed food. This is what I came up with. Success!

Ingredients

2 Lbs Cooked Chicken Shredded (I did a few pounds)

1-2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

2 Tbsp Bacon Bits - as much as you like

Ranch Salad Dressing (I used Light House Homestyle Ranch) - As much as you need to get the chicken saucy.

Salt and Pepper to Taste

2 Tbsp Butter

Instructions

I cooked the chicken in the instant pot for 20 minutes with 1 cup of chicken broth. Then I shredded the chicken breast, melted in butter and added in all of the other ingredients. It can be used cold or warmed. We ate it on buns. 

Cheesy Bacon Ranch Mashed Potatoes (Kristi Original)

I had some left over mashed potatoes, so I thought I'd give them an opportunity to shine again. You could do this recipe with new mashed potatoes or left overs. My son told me I should make a cook book for all my recipes after trying this one. ❤ Unfortunately I don't measure cook, I do more of a dumping creative cooking approach. That makes it harder for people to follow. Do your best! This one is great.

Ingredients

3-5 Lbs Mashed Potatoes

Milk or Cream - Pour in enough to help the consistency of the potatoes to be what you like

1-2 Tbsp Butter

1-2 Tbsp Bacon Bits (I just sprinkled in as much as I wanted)

1-2 Cups Shredded Cheese

3 Long Squeezes - Ranch Salad Dressing (I used Light House Home Style) I just poured in a bunch. I tried it as I went for a taste test

Shake of Salt if needed

1 Tsp Garlic

1/2 Tsp Pepper

Instructions

Rewarm the mashed potatoes or make new potatoes. Take the hot potatoes and add all of the ingredients. Serve and Enjoy!

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes - Ranch Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

3 Lbs of Potatoes Cubed

1 Cup of Water

1 Stick of Butter

Milk

Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning Pack

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Instructions

1. Put the cubed potatoes on top of the trivet in the instant pot

2. Add Water

3. Close the lid and make sure the valve is sealed

4. Set the instant pot to 10 minutes

5. Once the 10 minutes are up, quick release the instant pot.

6. Open the pot, add butter, milk, seasoning and mash your potatoes

Note: I added a Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning pack and some mayo for an added twist to make ranch mashed potatoes.

Instant Pot Hamburger (From Frozen to Cooked)

Ingredients:

1 Lb of Hamburger

1 Cup of Water

1. Put the hamburger on the trivet in the bottom of the instant pot.

2. Add 1 Cup of Water

3. Seal the instant pot, close the sealing valve and set it to 35 minutes

4. Once the 35 minutes is up, let it naturally release for 10 minutes and release the remaining pressure.

5. The beef is ready to use.

https://sweetandsavorymeals.com/how-to-cook-frozen-ground-beef-in-the-instant-pot/

Cajun Potatoes and Sausage (Kristi Original)

Ingredients:
1 Cup Chicken Broth
2 Rings of Kielbasa Sausage
1-1/2 to 2 Lbs of Potatoes
1 Package of White Mushrooms
4 tsp Cajun Seasoning
3/4 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
4 Tbsp Butter
Optional: Peppers and Onions (I still need to experiment with additional ingredients.)

Instructions:
1. Cut up the Kielbasa into chunks, the potatoes into cubes and the mushrooms quartered
2. Add Chicken Broth to the Instant Pot
3. Add the butter and seasoning
4. Close and Seal the Instant Pot
5. Set the instant pot to 3 minutes.
6. Once complete, do the quick release, Stir and Serve.

Pizza Pasta (Kristi Original)

This is so easy to make and yummy! I made it with pepperoni, however if you leave out the pepperoni it would be vegetarian. It would also be fun to try adding vegetables to the recipe. Here's what I did...

Ingredients
1/2 Box of Pasta (I used Elbow Macaroni)
1 Jar of Spaghetti Sauce (I used Newman's Own Sockarooni)
1 Jar of Water
Splash of Vegetable Oil
Garlic Salt (Sprinkle)
Garlic Powder (Sprinkle)
1-2 Cups of Milk
1/4 Big Block Velveta Cut into Cubes (8oz)
1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Pepperoni

Instructions
1. Add the pasta, sauce, water to the instant pot and stir (The water should cover the noodles).
2. Sprinkle Garlic Salt and Garlic Powder
3. Determine the cooking time (See my post on perfect pasta in the instant pot)
(Previous Elbow Macaroni 3 minutes cooking, 5 minutes natural release and then quick release the rest. Perfect Pasta!)
4. When the pasta is done add the milk, Velveeta and shredded mozzarella. Stir until the cheese is melted. If you need to, turn on the saute to help the cheese melt. The milk will make the pasta creamy. 
5. Add in the desired amount of pepperoni and serve

Perfect Pasta in the Instant Pot

I was looking for how to cook pasta in the Instant Pot and I came upon the following recommendation. I gave it a try with elbow macaroni and it turned out great.

1. Look at the pasta's cooking instructions on the box. 
2. Take the lowest number and divide it in half
3.  Subtract 1 minute to get your cooking time

So if the box says cook 8 minutes, take 8 and divide it in half to 4 minutes. Then subtract 1 minute to get 3 minutes cooking time. 

Another example is if the box said 7-9 minutes. I'd take 7 and round down to an even number, 6. I'd divide 6 in half to 3 and subtract 1 to get 2 minutes cooking time.

Cooking Instructions
1. Add enough liquid to cover the pasta
2. Add a little oil to help with the pasta foam
3. Close the vent, seal the cooker and set the Instant Pot to pressure cooking on high for the number of minutes determined above (based on the pasta you are cooking). 
4. When the timer runs out, let the pressure cooker natural release for 5 minutes and then release the rest of the pressure. 

Enjoy! Your pasta is perfect and ready to eat.

I got this information from the following link.. https://tidbits-marci.com/perfect-pressure-cooker-pasta/

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs - 5, 5, 5 Method

I've tried 2 ways of making hard boiled eggs in the instant pot. This way seemed to work better. One of the eggs came out of its shell completely in the instant pot! This is the 5, 5, 5 Method

1. Place the rack that came with your instant pot in the bottom of the pot.

2. Add 1 cup of water

3. Place the desired number of eggs in the instant pot

4. Set the instant pot to 5 minutes. 

5. Let the instant pot natural release for 5 minutes, then release any remaining steam.

6. Give your eggs a 5 minute ice bath. 

Your done! You now have easy to peel perfectly delicious hard boiled eggs.  

The other way I tried was to set the pressure to 5. When the timer went off, release the steam and your eggs are done.