Recipe Index

November 6, 2018 by Tanya Harris 60 Comments

Instant Pot Carrot Cake Cheesecake

This Instant Pot Cake recipe combines moist Carrot Cake and Creamy Delicious Cheesecake all in one dish. Now you can have the best of both worlds with this cake recipe.

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

FULL RECIPE AND INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE RECIPE CARD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST. YOU CAN FIND IMPORTANT TIPS/TRICKS IN THE BLOG POST.

Happy Birthday to Me! I usually celebrate my birthday by going out to The Cheesecake Factory and having a wonderful dinner followed by a delicious slice of cheesecake. If you’ve ever been to the Cheesecake Factory, then you know that they have tons of cheesecakes on their menu.

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October 31, 2018 by Tanya Harris 14 Comments

Ninja Foodi Fish and Grits

Create creamy grits and delicious crisp fish all in the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker with Air Crisp.

The Ninja Foodi cooking system is truly living up to all the hype. I've made a lot in my little cooking system but this recipe is a true refelction on how you can make a delicious one pot meal all in the Foodi.

First, I made creamy grits all in the pressure cooker. No more constant stirring.

Then, I finished it off by air frying the fish while my grits were still in the pot.

I did all this while recording this handy dandy video.

As always, hope you enjoy this Ninja Foodi recipe.

YouTube Video Here

If you love this recipe, try my shrimp and grits on the stovetop recipe.

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Ninja Foodi Fish and Grits

Creamy grits covered with crispy fish all made in the Nija Foodi.

Prep Time10

Cook Time28

Total Time38

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: ninja foodi fish and grits

Servings: people

Author: Tanya Harris

Ingredients

3 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup stone ground grits
2 Tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 pieces tilapia fish
2 teaspoon blackened or cajun seasoning
vegetable oil in a spray bottle

Instructions

Place chicken broth, heavy cream, grits, salt and butter in Ninja Foodi pressure cooker insert. Stir. Cover with pressure cooker cover. Make sure valve is set to "Seal."
Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes. Once 8 minutes is up, allow the Ninja Foodi to natural release for 10 minutes. Press cancel and release the remaining pressure by turning the valve to "Vent."
Meanwhile, season fish with blackened or cajun seasoning by first spraying the fish, then rubbing the seasoning into both sides of the fish.
Once all pressure is released, open foodi and stir grits. Place a piece of heavy duty foil on top of the grits to cover. Lay the seasoned fish on top of the foil. Spray again with oil.
Close the Air Crisp lid on the ninja foodi. Cook at 400 degrees Farenheit for 10 minutes or until fish can be easily flaked with a fork.
Serve fish over grits and Enjoy 🙂

Notes

Notes for Ninja Foodi Fish and Grits

You can sub other fish if you like.
I used low sodium chicken broth and unsalted butter in this recipe so I can control the amount of salt I add to suit my taste.

October 30, 2018 by Tanya Harris 178 Comments

Instant Pot Buttered Cabbage

This Buttered Instant Pot Cabbage is the easiest way to make delicious cabbage in your Instant Pot. Only 5 ingredients in this delicious side dish.

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

Full Recipe/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

It’s so simple. Yes, this Buttered Instant Pot Cabbage is so simple that I almost didn’t make it a blog post. But I promised I’d post more recipes that weren’t too complicated yet still were great on flavor. So here’s to delicious cabbage made right in your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

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October 24, 2018 by Tanya Harris Leave a Comment

Top 7 Gift Ideas for Someone Who Likes to Cook

We all know that one person (or few people) in our life who likes to cook. If you’re looking for Holiday gift ideas, here are a few perfect choices.

1. A Masterclass Membership

My husband gifted me Masterclass (well us) last Christmas. Masterclasses are classes taught by masters in the field. There are all types of classes on the platform taught by some pretty talented people. You can learn how to play basketball from Steph Curry, learn how to act from Samuel L. Jackson Teaches Acting, how to write from Shonda Rhimes and how to sing from Christina Aguilera.

But what about cooking? They have some classes from the masters. Current chefs are

Gordon Ramsay (2 classes) (Cooking and Restuarant Recipes at Home)
Thomas Keller (2 classes) (Cooking Techniques I and II)
Wolfgang Puck (Cooking)
Alice Waters (Home Cooking)
Dominique Ansel (French Pastry Fundamentals)
Aaron Franklin (Texas Style BBQ)
Massimo Bottura (Modern Italian Cooking)

You can purchase individual classes for the year or pay more for access to all the classes. My husband purchased an all access pass and I'm so glad he did. I've learned something new in each class from each of the different chefs.

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October 23, 2018 by Tanya Harris 52 Comments

Instant Pot Jamaican Jerk Chicken Soup {Video}

This Jerk Chicken Soup is a delicious spin on traditional chicken soup. Made with an authentic jerk seasoning, sweet potato, beans, and corn. Have a taste of the Caribbean with this amazing and flavorful soup.

Full Recipe/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

[Read more...]

October 18, 2018 by Tanya Harris 33 Comments

Sweet and Spicy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

These Sweet and Spicy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are perfectly cooked in your Air Fryer. Toss them in a Korean Gochujang sauce for the perfect vegetable side dish.

air fryer brussels sprouts roasted in the air fryer basket

Full Recipe/Instructions are available in the recipe card
at the bottom of the post. You can find important tips/tricks
in the blog post.

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

I’m a sucker for a good roasted veggie, especially brussels sprouts. My mother in law always prepares a pan of roasted brussels sprouts for Thanksgiving and I’m always the first in line to grab a bunch. Inspired by her recipe, I decided to make my brussels sprouts in the air fryer and add my own little Korean inspired sauce to them.

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October 17, 2018 by Tanya Harris 11 Comments

Ninja Foodi Shrimp Boil Recipe {Video}

This Shrimp Boil recipe made in the Ninja Foodi is delicious and easy. Now you can have that Cajun style boil in less time and less effort.

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

I've been having a ton of fun with my Ninja Foodi. I've been making recipes from the cookbook that came with the machine and I've also ventured out on my own with these crispy pork carnitas and these chicken wings from frozen.

[Read more...]

October 16, 2018 by Tanya Harris 30 Comments

Instant Pot Sausage Gravy (Biscuits and Gravy) + Video

This Instant Pot Sausage Gravy recipe is easy and delicious. Serve it over homemade or canned biscuits for the ultimate breakfast.

white sausage gravy on a spoon over instant pot

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

I love using my Instant Pot Pressure Cooker to make breakfast in the mornings. I keep oatmeal, cornmeal poridge, Instant Pot egg bites, grits, and this breaksfast sausage on regular rotation.

I used to make my sausage gravy on my stove top but it’s so much easier to make in the Instant Pot, so why not. The great thing is after it’s done cooking, the Instant Pot will keep it warm for you. This makes it the perfect breakfast idea for those weekend morning breakfast.

You can serve this Instant Pot Sausage Gravy with homemade biscuits or canned biscuits. I won’t lie...depending on my mood, I will sometimes just throw some Pilsburys in the oven. If you can do homemade though...do it.

How to Make Instant Pot Sausage Gravy

First, you will want to set your Instant Pot on sauté and brown your pork sausage. I use plain pork sausage but you could experiment with the different flavors if you like.

Once your meat is brown, you will add your butter and stir until the butter has melted in. Added fat is good for this recipe.

Then you’ll sprinkle your flour over the meat and stir for about 1 minute. Then add in your maple syrup, milk, salt, and black pepper, and stir, ensuring that there are no brown bits stuck to the bottom.

Turn off your Instant Pot and then set it to low pressure, cook time of 2 minutes. Cover and walk away.

Once timer goes off, do a quick release and open. Your gravy will look watery but stir and it will thicken up. If you want it even thicker, select medium sauté and cook and stir until desire thickness is reached.

How to Serve Instant Pot Sausage Gravy

Serve this sausage gravy over fluffy oven baked biscuits that have been broken in half. Or eat it by the spoonful...which is what I do from time to time.

If you are looking for biscuit tips, you can check out my post on what I learned making Bojangles biscuits. The tips and tricks are great.

I like to keep my gravy warm by turning on the slow cooker function in my IP rather than the keep warm function. I set it to slow cook on medium and cover it with my Instant Pot glass lid. That way my family can go for seconds and thirds without worrying that the gravy is cold.

instant pot covered with glass lid near window

I hope you enjoy this Instant Pot Gravy as much as we do. Looking for more Instant Pot recipes for breakfast? Try these out:

Pin Instant Pot Sausage Gravy for Later

Instant Pot Sausage Gravy is easy and delicious. Top it over your favorite homemade or store bought biscuits for the perfect morning breakfast. #instantpotbreakfast #breakfasttime #suasageandgravy #Pressurecooker alt=

Print Recipe

4.75 from 8 votes

Instant Pot Sausage Gravy

Delicious Instant Pot Sausage Gravy to serve over your favorite fluffy bizcuits.

Prep Time5

Cook Time2

Rise to pressure10

Total Time17

Servings: people

Calories: 383kcal

Author: Tanya Harris

Ingredients

1 lb pork sausage
3 Tablespoon butter unsalted
¼ cup All-purpose flour
3 cups milk
1 Tablespoon maple syrup
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Set Instant Pot to Sauté and select “More” setting. Once Instant Pot displays “HOT” add your sausage. Stir and brown sausage until it is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
Add butter and stir until butter is melted. Sprinkle flour over meat and stir. Cook for about one minute while stirring.
Add milk, maple syrup, salt and black pepper. Stir, ensuring that there are no brown bits stuck to the bottom.
Press cancel on Instant Pot. Select “Pressure Cook" and adjust machine to low pressure and a time of 2 minutes. Cover the Instant Pot with the pressure cooking lid, ensuring that the valve is set to "Seal."
Once timer goes off, do a quick release by turning the Valve to “Venting.” Once all the pressure is released, open the lid and stir the gravy.
The gravy will thicken upon stirring. If you would like the gravy thicker, select Sauté and put it on the normal setting. Cook, while stirring, until desired thickness is reached.

Notes

Notes on Instant Pot Sausage Gravy

This recipe was made in a 6 Qt Instant Pot DUO.
The Instant Pot Lux does not have a low pressure cooker function. In order to cook without the low pressure function, continue to cook with the sauté function (after browining the meat and adding the other ingredients)
for about 10-15 minutes or until gravy has thickened to desired consistency.
This is great to keep warm in the Instant Pot while having breakfast.

Nutrition

Step by Step Photos of Instant Pot Sausage Gravy

ground pork in instant pot insert — Brown ground pork in the Instant Pot on the Sauté function. Add butter and stir until melted.

ground pork with flour sprinkled on top — Sprinkle all purpose flour over the mixture and stir while cooking for about one minute.

ground pork and milk inside instant pot insert — Pour milk into Instant Pot. Turn off Sauté function and cook on low pressure for 2 minutes.

thickened milk gravy mixture in instant pot — Sauce will thicken once done. You could also select sauté and cook until it has thickened a bit.

finished gravy covering biscuits — Pour Instant Pot gravy over fresh or canned biscuits.

October 3, 2018 by Tanya Harris 138 Comments

Ninja Foodi Recipe: Crispy Pork Carnitas

These crispy, delicious pork carnitas are made in the Ninja Foodi in less than 1 hour. Pressure cook them to tender and crisp them up all in one device.

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

I recently became the owner of a Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker with Air Crisper. What’s that, you ask? It’s a magical device that Ninja has bestowed upon us. It’s a pressure cooker. It’s an air fryer. It’s a pressure cooker and an air fryer all combined in one device.

I’ll be doing a full and thorough review of the Ninja Foodie soon. Until then, I’ve been testing it out on different recipes to see if it really works as expected.

I’ve made the following so far….

Chicken Wings from frozen
Chicken pot pie
A whole roasted chicken (twice)
And this pork carnita recipe

All of these have turned out wonderfully. I wanted to go ahead and post this pork carnita recipe, as it was one of my main determining factors in making the purchase.

Ninja Foodi Pork Carnita Recipe

Of all the recipes I’ve made thus far, this is already one of my favorites. I love making shredded pork for multiple uses...tacos, burritos, rice bowl, sandwiches, etc.

I usually make it in a slow cooker or my pressure cooker, but I always have to transfer the pork to the oven to really get it crisp. That’s an entire day of cooking...which I don’t have much time for.

ninja foodi carnitas in ninja foodi ceramic insert

This Ninja Foodi method allowed me to get it all done in less than an hour.

These Carnitas are great with this Homemade Salsa Recipe.

Pin Ninja Foodi Recipe: Pork Carnitas for Later

I hope you love this carnitas recipe as much as we do. If you're looking for another way to make them, you'll love this slow cooker carnitas recipe.

ninja foodi pork carnitas in the ninja foodi

Print Recipe

4.91 from 60 votes

Ninja Foodi Recipe: Crispy Pork Carnitas

These Crispy Pork Carnitas are made in the Ninja Foodi in less than 1 hour. Pressure cook them to tender and crisp them up all in one device.

Prep Time10

Cook Time45

Total Time55

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: ninja foodi recipe

Servings: people

Calories: 335kcal

Author: Tanya Harris

Ingredients

2 lbs pork butt chopped into 2 inch pieces
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon cumin
1 orange cut in half
1 yellow onion peeled and cut in half
6 garlic cloves peeled and crushed
½ cup chicken broth

Instructions

Place pork, salt, oregano, and cumin in Ninja Foodi pressure cook insert. Combine making sure the seasonings are covering the pork.
Take the orange and squeeze the juices over the pork. Put the squeezed orange in the insert, along with the onion, garlic cloves, and ½ cup chicken broth.
Cover the Ninja Foodi with the pressure cooker cover, ensuring the valve is set to seal. Set the Ninja Foodi to High Pressure and cook for 20 minutes.
Once the 20 minute timer is complete, do a quick release by switching the valve to vent. Once all the pressure is released, open the lid and remove the orange, onion, and garlic cloves.
Set the Ninja Foodi to satué and select md:hi. The liquid will begin to simmer. Allow the liquid to cook until it reduces, about 10-15 minutes.
Once the majority of the liquid has reduced, press stop on the Ninja Foodi and then close the Ninja Foodi Air Crisp lid.
Select Broil and adjust the time to 8 minutes.
Once complete, use the crispy delicious meat in tacos, bowls, sandwiches, wraps, etc. Top with cilantro or any of your favorite toppings.

Video

Nutrition

September 27, 2018 by Tanya Harris 2 Comments

Top 9 Accessories for your Instant Pot

I love using my Instant Pot to make unique recipes. I use my normal insert a ton but will also use my Instant Pot Accessories to get the most out of my Instant Pot. Here's a list of the 9 best accessories to have for your Instant Pot.

main image of post with egg bite accessory on top, text that says "top 8 accessories for your instant pot" and steel accessory at bottom

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

1. The Egg Bite Mold

I use this mold to make my soft and creamy Copycat Sous Vide Egg Bites in the Instant Pot. I like this one because I never spray them and my egg bites slide right on out when I finish making them.

2. Double Stacking Steamer Insert

I use this double stacking insert for heating up leftovers or cooking foods that I don't want to overlap (I use it a lot to make double batches of baby food). I also use it to make grits, polenta, and oatmeal when I don't want to risk the bottom of my pot getting scortched. The cooktime takes a little longer with the inserts but I don't mind, especially if it can save me time on the dishes. I make my creamy pressure cooker pumpkin pie oatmeal in one of these stackable inserts.

3. 6 Pack Instant Pot Accessories Steamer Set

I found that buying an accessory kit is useful because you get more products for less money. This set comes with a Steamer Basket, Steamer Base Egg Steamer, Springform Pan for making cake, Rack Silicone Oven for resting hot pots/pans, mitts Plate Dish Clip for taking hot stuff or extremely cold stuff out the pot.

4. Silicone Steamer

I love using silicone products in my Instant Pot now, rather than the traditional metal steamers. Primarily because food does not stick to them. I use silicone to steam vegetables as well as fish/chicken. My Pressure Cooker Salmon with Garlic Herb Cream Sauce is the perfect dish for this steamer.

5. A Pressure Cooker Bakeware Sling

Cheesecakes, Oatmeal, and any pot in pot recipe could benefit from a sling. I know many times it's suggested to make a foil sling to lower your cake pans into the Instant Pot. This is 100 times more easier and is great for using in the Instant Pot.

6. Steam Release Diverter

A big concern with any Instant Pot owner is that steam that shoots out the top during a quick release. It could possibly damage your cabinets over time. This allows the steam to shoot sideways, rather than upwards. Be careful where you point that steam though.

7. Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid

This lid is to be used only if you are using the Instant Pot slow cooking function or after the cook process is over, not during pressure cooking. I love using it to cover foods after they have cooked, especially chili, like my Pressure Cooker Turkey Chili, my Pressure Cooker Lentil and Sausage Soup, and my Instant Pot Breakfast Sausage Gravy. Just keep the soup on the keep warm function and cover with the glass lid.

8. Extra Sealing Rings

Having an extra set of sealing rings for the Instant Pot comes in handy. The sealing ring can take on the smells of your food, especially garlic. It can also start to feel loose over extending use. I use these extra rings when making desserts or breakfast in my Instant Pot and keep the standard ring for when I am cooking dinner.

9. A Pressure Cooker Cookbook

A good pressure cooker cookbook is always helpful. This Old Gal's Cookbook is great for those new or established Instant Pot users. You can read my full book review here.

These are my favorite Instant Pot Accessories. I use these in my 6 qt Instant Pot. what are your favorite accessories? Please leave them in the comments below 🙂