Instant Pot Macaroni & Cheese

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Instant Pot Macaroni & Cheese

Pressure cookers are definitely the hot “it” appliance right now. I’ve had an old stainless model for years, that I use for canning – but at 16 quarts too big to use for general use in my kitchen. So this fall I hopped on the old bandwagon and purchased an 8-quart Instant Pot, and haven’t looked back since!

I’m hesitant about unitaskers in my kitchen, and I was skeptical how much I’d actually use the thing on a regular basis. Turned out I was pleasantly surprised, using it at least two times a week in my kitchen. To be able to make a quick chicken or vegetable stock in under an hour blows my mind.

Not to mention other tasks like potatoes cooked to perfection in a few minutes, dried beans that taste they’ve been simmering all day long in an hour, or this easy macaroni and cheese – which goes from pot to table in two shakes of a lamb’s tail (just a little over 10 minutes).

You could take it to the next level by pouring the finished mac into a baking dish and topping with more cheese (or breadcrumbs, if that’s your thing) and popping into the oven for a few minutes to melt. But, we usually don’t get that far. I’ve also been known to throw in a cup of diced ham and a chopped head of broccoli to bulk it up and make it a one-dish meal that everyone always loves.

Do you have an electric pressure cooker? What are some of your favorite recipes to make in it? Share in comments!

Instant Pot Macaroni & Cheese

1 lb uncooked elbow macaroni
4 Tbsp butter
1 (12 oz can) evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups water
1 Tbsp mustard (I like dijon)
2 tsp kosher salt
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend)
1/4 cup milk or half and half

Combine elbows, butter, evaporated milk, water, Dijon mustard, and salt in the pot of the pressure cooker. Place lid on and seal the release valve. Set manual high pressure for 5 minutes.

When machine beeps, manually release pressure by unsealing valve (use a towel to do this – it’s easy to burn yourself!) and remove lid. Mix in cheese until melted, and thin with a little milk if necessary to get a nice creamy consistency. Season to taste with additional salt if necessary.

Makes about 10 servings.

Grilled Soft Shell Scampi

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If you’re driving down the “main drag” here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia (aka Route 13), one of the best things you can do for yourself is to turn off the beaten path. All roads lead to the water eventually – seaside or bayside. It doesn’t matter. Chances are you’ll stumble on a seafood shack in your travels. And this time of year, they’re all sure to have fresh soft shell crabs. A delicacy here, as well as around the world.

My favorite spot is Martin’s Crabhouse in Saxis, VA. It’s about a 20 minute drive for me on Chincoteague, but when it comes to crabs – it’s always worth the trip. You’ll usually find two old salts sitting on the front porch of the crab shack, no doubt talking about fish tales. One of the younger guys inside will shuffle over to the peeling tables and fish out a dozen for me – wriggling as they’re pulled out of the water and placed in the box. It really doesn’t get fresher than that.

Up until last week, breading and pan-frying was my go-to prepare a soft shell crab. But, after putting them on the grill…I fear I can never go back. First off, it was easier and way less mess. Always a win! But the flavor. THE FLAVOR. Sweet, tender crab with a heady dose of smokiness from the grill. I brushed with fresh garlic herb butter while cooking, which helped them to not stick to the grill – as well as impart more wonderful flavor. A few minutes on the grill, and they plump up to pure perfection.

I wanted to pair them with pasta, so I made a quick scampi sauce using the usual suspects – butter, garlic, lemon, white wine. And, a few cherry tomatoes and basil for a little extra flair and color. Was just enough to make the pasta moist, and paired perfectly with the crab – just making it’s flavors sing a little louder.

Move over, Shrimp Scampi. There’s a new kid on the block…

Grilled Soft-Shell Scampi

10 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 cup salted butter (2 sticks)
3 sprigs fresh thyme
3 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 large lemons
4 large (prime or jumbo) soft-shell crabs, cleaned and prepped
16 oz fettuccine pasta
1 1/2 cups dry white wine (like Chardonnay)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 leaves fresh basil, chiffonnaded
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Fresh ground pepper

Fill a large stockpot with water and 1/4 cup kosher salt and bring to boil over high heat. Prepare pasta according to.ditections on package (or make your own!)

Prepare the garlic butter for basting. Melt a stick of butter in a small saucepan. Slice one of the lemons, and add 2 or 3 slices to the melted butter, as well as the half (1 Tbsp) of the minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Let cook for one minute to release flavors, then remove from heat and set aside.

Heat a grill to medium-high. Season crabs with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil on both sides. Place on grill, and cook for about 6 minutes on each side – basting with the garlic butter while cooking.

Make the scampi sauce by melting the other stick of butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the remaining garlic, cherry tomatoes, white wine, and the juice of the other lemon. Increase heat to high, and let reduce for about 5 minutes. Stir in half of the fresh basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

Place a pile of pasta on a large plate. Place a grilled soft shell on top, then pour about 1/2 cup of the scampi sauce on top. Garnish with fresh basil, and the remaining lemon slices.

Pepperoni Stuffed Shells

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pepperonistuffedshells

Stuffed shells are one of my favorite comfort meals. Pasta encasing a bunch of fluffy ricotta and gooey, cheesy goodness? You just can’t go wrong. Not to mention the variations and combinations that you can use to “mix up” your filling is endless.

So, when Sugardale Foods reached out to me about creating a recipe using their delicious pepperoni – my mind immediately began brainstorming. And, led me right to the thought of  a pepperoni-studded stuffed shell (say that 3x fast!). All of your favorite flavors in a pizza, but in pasta form. Genius!

Pepperoni is something that I always have on hand in the fridge, it’s a great way to add a little bit of meaty flavor to recipes. I’ll often add it to skillet pastas, or baked pasta dishes…as well as just for snacking purposes. Love having it around for a quick anti-pasta platter when unexpected guests drop in. A few slices of cheese, some pepperoni, maybe a few olives? Bam! Awesome easy appetizer.

But, finding a good-quality pepperoni can be a little bit daunting – to say the least. So many are full of so much fat, by the time you cook it…there’s nothing left. Not the case with Sugardale’s pepperoni.

Sugardale Foods is a family-owned company that’s been in business since 1920. Right here in the good, old US of A too! That’s a feat that seems to be harder and harder to come by these days. You can find their products  (ham, pepperoni, bacon) at many retailers nationwide, in various size packaging. With 3 little boys, I can blow through one of their 1-lb bags in no time. It’s a brand I know I can always turn to for quality! Make sure you stop by their recipe page for a bunch of great recipe ideas.

I kept the filling simple: Ricotta, chunks of mozzarella, a little oregano. Placed the whole pepperoni slices into the shells, then stuffed with the ricotta mixture. Baked with my favorite quick marinara sauce and a little extra mozzarella on top. Perfection, I tell ya!

It’s the time of year where we find ourselves turning to comfort foods, and this one is definitely a new favorite in our home. Add it to your menu soon, you won’t regret it!

Pepperoni Stuffed Shells

1 (16 oz ) box jumbo shells
15 oz container ricotta cheese
16 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 (8 oz) package Sugardale pepperoni
1 jar favorite marinara sauce

Cook pasta shells according to directions. Drain and set aside.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a 9×13 baking dish, spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce on the bottom and set aside.

In a large bowl combine the ricotta, half of the mozzarella, salt, garlic powder, and oregano. Mix until combined.

Line the inside of a pasta shell with 2 pieces of pepperoni. Then stuff with 1 heaping tablespoon of filling. Place in the baking dish. Repeat with remaining shells.

Spread the remaining sauce on top of the shells, and top with remaining mozzarella cheese.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and starting to brown on top.

Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Connect with Sugardale Foods on Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest • YouTube

What is your favorite comfort meal? Tell me about it in the comments and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card!

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Shrimp in Tomato-Spinach Cream Sauce

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Shrimp in Tomato-Spinach Cream SauceIt’s getting to be that time of year when we spend a lot of time outside. After a long day out on the boat or at the beach, I always have a hungry crew ready to eat dinner. Often times I’ll plan a dinner around what I have at home, and then swing by the store to pick up a few things to bring it all together.

I live in a pretty remote area here on the Eastern Shore, so a “one stop shop” grocery store is really a blessing during these busy summer months. For me, that place has always been my local Food Lion.

Since they opened around 15 years ago in my small community, they’ve offered the freshest and best selection of produce in the area. They are the only place in a 60-mile radius that I can find fresh bean sprouts for my homemade egg rolls. Or, alfalfa sprouts. Or, any sprouts for that matter!
Fresh Blooms
I also love their small fresh flower section. For just a few dollars, a pretty bouquet really brightens up the dining room table for the week. That’s something else I’ve always had a hard time finding in my rural area, especially in the winter months when I’m not foraging for wildflowers or marsh grasses for centerpieces!

Their MVP Specials are another favorite for me. When we had our first baby and I gave up my job to stay at home, their weekly MVP specials were what I based our meal plans around. Always affordable, without sacrificing quality to do so – how refreshing!

So, when Food Lion reached out to me to share a recipe featuring some fresh finds from their produce section, I was happy to oblige! As I mentioned above, I’m often swinging in to pick up a few fresh components to make a quick dinner after being out in the surf and sun all day.

Food Lion Produce

For these occasions, you can never go wrong with a delicious shrimp pasta. Just a few minutes and a handful of ingredients – and you’ve got a filling and satisfying meal. One that I turn to again and again in the months ahead. And, all of the ingredients are just a quick stop on my way home. How refreshing!

Thank you for making freshness available at such an affordable price, Food Lion!

Shrimp in Tomato & Spinach Cream Sauce

1 pound medium or large shrimp, peeled and de-veined
3 Tbsp butter
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup white wine (I use dry vermouth)
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
4 Roma tomatoes, diced (a small handful reserved for garnish)
2 cups baby spinach
1 pound cooked linguine (or your favorite pasta)
2 scallions, chopped (for garnish)
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions, set aside.

Season shrimp with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Heat butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp to skillet, and cook for about 2 minutes. Flip shrimp over and cook for 1 minute more. Remove to plate and set aside.

Add the diced onion and garlic to the pan, saute for a minute or so – until fragrant. Carefully add the white wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze, let reduce for around 2 minutes. Add the cream, Parmesan, chopped tomatoes, and spinach. Cook sauce over medium-low heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until spinach has wilted completely.

Add the shrimp back to the sauce and simmer for around 3 minutes more. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce on top of the pasta and toss to combine. Sprinkle with scallions and reserved tomatoes for garnish.

For more great recipes visit the Food Lion Recipe Hub.

What recipes do you love to make with fresh ingredients? Leave a comment for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card. You can use this gift card to shop for delicious fresh ingredients at Food Lion!

Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

  1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
  1. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
  2. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
  3. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected. 

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 04/18/16 – 05/31/16.

Be sure to visit the Food Lion Brand Page on Blogher where you can read other bloggers’ posts!