What's Happening in the Resort Kitchen?

It's been a while since I had a food related blog.  Over the holidays I was busy in the kitchen but most of my efforts were directed toward Christmas: cookies, breads, and of course the holiday dinner itself. My everyday cooking was just to get food on the table: edible and norishing, but very basic. 

Now that the holidays are behind us (or long ahead of us!), I've been having lots of fun with our everyday meals. The electric pressure cooker has been getting a workout (more on that later) and other lovely vessels have made appearances.  First up is this beautiful cinnamon Staub 4-Qt Dutch oven I fell prey to last fall.  

It was on a terrific sale at King Arthur Flour and I couldn't resist.  I made a yummy elk stew in it.  It's supposed to be excellent for baking artisan bread, but I have yet to test that.  Soon, though!

Next up is another beauty.  A stoneware roaster from Pamper Chef that was a gift a few years ago from my adorable daughter.  

It makes the most incredibly delicious scalloped potatoes!  I used up the last of the Easter ham (found in the back of the freezer) and made short work of the potatoes with a mandoline.  We all know I'm a potato lover, and these made me swoon over their yumminess. The recipe is an old one from my trusty red plaid BH&G wedding present cookbook.  

I've been drinking my coffee from a fun new mug that was part of my Christmas from Ann and family. (For someone who never drank coffee until she was thirty-five years old, I've certainly made up for it since.)  The mug is a Pioneer Woman design.  Love the polkadots and the sunny yellow base.

Green Mountain Coffee has a seasonal selection called Pumpkin Spice that I've been enjoying since the first of December.  With Creme Brulee creamer, it's like pumpkin pie in a cup! A few weeks ago I swooped up five more boxes on closeout so I'm set for a while longer.  

And onto the pressure cooker.  It's gotten a good workout since the new year began including more yogurt, cheesecake, steamed butternut squash, and some very yummy baked beans.  While I still love and use my stovetop pressure cooker, I love that I can chop up a squash, program the cooker, and let it go while I work on the rest of dinner without a worry.  Did just that last night while I made turkey enchiladas which are somewhat labor intensive since I make the sauce from scratch.  No boilovers! ♥

Mea Culpa

Oops!  I just realized I left my readers hanging in my last post.  Chalk it up to getting ready for Easter and catching up with some household chores.

Anyway, let me reveal the new toy that arrived in my kitchen two weeks ago:

It's called an Instant Pot and it's an electric pressure cooker--and so much more!  Here's a close-up of it's touch panel:

In addition to pressure cooking, it is also a rice cooker, a slow cooker, and has specialized setting for grains, soups, and beans.  I used it for the first time on Easter to cook rice for my dad.  Dad has had to go on a total no-salt diet and so I fixed him a chicken dish with plum sauce and thought rice would go well with it.  Cooking rice can be hazardous in a busy kitchen (boil over, anyone?), but it cooked perfectly with no attention once I put on the top and pressed the rice button, and waited patiently when done until I scooped it out.  Yay!!

Last week I did some pork chops that were thick and tough (I'd used a few from the pack previously), and they were fork tender when done.  I also used it for split pea soup with ham left from Easter. Dan was at a meeting across town and I wasn't sure when he'd call me to pick him up (I'd dropped him off that morning to save the hassle of trying to find an all-day parking place).  By using this new toy,  I didn't have to worry about leaving while in process! There's even a saute button so you can brown meats and/or veggies before beginning the pressure cooking process.  I still love my stovetop pressure cooker, but this one is truly a set it and forget it pot.

Oh, here's a picture of the insert--it's like a big stainless steel bowl and washes like a dream:

Cuisinart also makes an electric pressure cooker, but its insert is non-stick which requires some care. I found my new toy at Amazon and I see it's still at a great price.  (I get nothing for this link--I'm putting it up in case anyone is interested.)  I'm all for anything that makes cooking more fun and/or easier!!  

Love,

The Gadget Girl  ♥