Instant Pot Omelet w/ sausage & cheese

Good morning!

After the storm we had last night, this morning was the morning for something quick, easy and healthy (according to my diabetic carb points booklet from the hospital).

So, after some perusing the internet as well as the booklet, and my phone app, I compiled some of the "egg bite" recipes into one that suited me and away we went!  However, I'm too lazy to divide it all out into those little cups, so it became one giant egg bite!  And it tastes really really good!! So, while my photography skill is lacking big time, just imagine the best omelet you've ever tasted and there you have it!

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup half & half
• 4oz Jimmy Dean Original ground sausage
• 1/4 cup cheddar, mozzarella & Parmesan cheeses, shredded
• A sprinkling (1/8-1/4 tsp) of: 
• black pepper
• garlic
• onion
• Old Bay original
• dried chives

1. I put the sausage into the IP first, letting it cook the juices and fat out in the stainless steel bowl.  Cook time was 10 minutes + QR.  
2. While that was cooking, I beat the eggs, half & half, and seasonings together.
3. When the sausage was finished and pressure was out, I drained the grease off the sausage patty and chopped it all up.  
4. Next I poured the beaten eggs over the sausage and stirred a little bit to make sure it was coated in the egg.
5. Finally I sprinkled all of the different kinds of shredded cheeses over the top.
6. Placing the trivet into the IP, (the food on top of the trivet) with cold water in the bottom, I set the cook time for 8 minutes and walked away for awhile.  I quick released the pressure and bon appetite!  'Twas yummy! If I do say so myself!  Best of all?  It stayed well within my allowed carbs for this meal!

Nutrition facts:

Calories:  754 kcal

Protein:  49.95 grams

Fat (total): 58.43 grams

Carbohydrates:  8.88 grams

Chinese Chicken & Broccoli (Instant Pot translation and recipe revision)

Good evening my lovely readers! It's a beautiful 50* out and this momma is thinking "chinese"! Hubby and I are getting pretty good at perfecting the homemade chinese, so here is the basic run down of how we handled the last batch we made! My picky little people love homemade chinese normally, but this recipe was such a hit that I didn't even have enough left over to send in lunches for the next day!

This recipe is what I jumped off of, and it's obviously not an IP meal, but is easily translated. Here is the basic ingredient listing, with my revisions:

• 1 large Head of Broccoli, cut into florets
• 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 6 boneless chicken thighs skinless, chopped into bite sized pieces
• 2 cloves, minced or 2 tsp granulated garlic
• 1 onion, cut julienned
• 1 can bamboo shoots, drained
• 1 can water chestnuts, drained
• 1 tsp dried ginger, to taste, adjust after cooking
• 2 Tablespoons Hoisin Sauce + more to taste after cooking
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 3 Tablespoons soy sauce (extra to taste)
• 6 Tablespoons honey **
• 1-3 cups hot water per preference of gravy to veg/meat ratio

** I skip the honey, but have left it in just in case someone else would like to know how much to add.

1. Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces and push "saute". When it says "hot" add your oil and push it around so it coats your IP liner. Then add your chicken, and sear it lightly, just till the chicken is getting white, or light brown spots.
2. Next you're going to deglaze the liner using the water. While the chicken is still in the bottom of the liner, and while the pot is still good and hot, add 1 cup of water and using a wooden spoon or scraper, scrape up anything that might be stuck to the bottom. The chicken will produce liquid, but the IP requires liquid to work correctly, and we like lots of gravy.
3. Cancel the saute function.
4. Add the garlic, onion, ginger, soy sauce, hoisin, & oyster on top, don't stir.
5. ** If you desire rice with this meal, & have a stainless steel PIP bowl, and a long legged trivet, you can measure your rice & water out into your PIP bowl and place the long legged trivet in on top of your food.
6. Set the cook time for 5-10 minutes depending on how much chicken you have, (if you have a single batch 5-7 is sufficient. If you double it you'll need to cook a little longer. Let it naturally release for 10 minutes.
7. While it's cooking, cut up your broccoli to suit you, some like it big, some like it small, I have preschoolers so I have to accommodate their small mouths.
8. When the IP beeps, you're going to stir the food and taste. Season accordingly. I added more ginger, hoisin, water, oyster, black pepper, and rice wine.
9. Once you're satisfied that it is seasoned to suit you, put the bamboo, water chestnuts & broccoli in on top, in that order. Do not stir it in. Reset the IP to either 0 (zero) minutes HP, or 1 minute LP depending on which one you have. This SHOULD produce broccoli that is softened but not mush... however I am not 100% on it, it COULD be too mushy... some folks like their broccoli pretty firm...
10. Anyway, when it beeps after adding the broccoli do a quick release.
11. If the quick release spits sauce... close it back up and do a controlled pressure release. Don't make a mess of your counter ... just close it back up and release the pressure slowly by hand...

Instant Pot Garlic & Herb Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

These were so good that my dad could NOT leave them alone as we were beginning to put food on the table to serve. He just kept going back for more snitches! My BROTHER (who is very picky and wasn't sure he was thrilled about something new) took one bite and went "oh. my... these are incredible" and he went back for 4th, 5th & 6th helpings!

Ingredients

·         2lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks (about 8 mediums)

·         3 tbsp minced refrigerated garlic (or)  6 cloves, peeled & smashed

·         1 1/3 cup chicken stock, bone broth or water

·         5-6 tbsp butter

·         1/4-1/2 tsp dried sage, rosemary, thyme, garlic, oregano, basil, parsley & salt season to taste

·         1/4 cup parmesan cheese (fresh)

·         1/4 cup parmesan/romano/asiago cheese blend

·         1/2 cup sour cream

·         1 cup cream cheese (one brick @ 8oz = 1 cup)

·         Optional: Butter & chives for topping

Instructions

1.       In the liner of the Instant Pot, layer the potatoes, broth, garlic & butter.  Lock the lid in place, close the vent to sealing and cook on high pressure for approximately 8-9 minutes with a controlled quick release.  Total time will be approximately 18-20 minutes.

2.       Unless you plan to drain the liquid off, you can mash the potatoes, with all of the remaining ingredients (seasonings, cheeses, sour cream, cream cheese), directly in the IP liner by using a handheld potato masher, or an electric handheld mixer.  Be sure to mash as soon as you can.

3.       Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with your chives, extra butter etc.

** Cook's notes: 

·         The difference in cook time is determined by whether you plan to drain them after cooking.  If you plan to drain, cook for 8 minutes.  If you plan to blend the fluid into the potatoes, you can cook a little longer for ease of mashing.

·         I prefer the handheld mixer, & not draining the liquid.  It produces a smoother more creamy product, and is less back breaking when making additions like cream cheese.

·         Mashing as soon as you can ensures that the seasonings meld, the cream cheese softens and to prevent lumpy potatoes. 

This is a compilation recipe devised by Heidi. 

Original recipes came from: 

https://pinchofyum.com/instant-pot-mashed-potatoes 

https://myfoodstory.com/instant-pot-garlic-mashed-potatoes-recipe/#tasty-recipes-11514