Easy

September 16, 2021 Easy

Instant Pot Clam Chowder

This Instant Pot clam chowder comes together in just 15 minutes! Tender veggies, chopped clams, and a sprinkling of fresh herbs are finished off in an irresistibly creamy broth.

What Makes This Instant Pot Clam Chowder So Good

It’s utterly foolproof! The Instant Pot takes all the guesswork out of cooking this comforting chowder. Throw this super easy recipe together for friends or family, and impress them with your new cooking skills!
It’s incredibly rich and satisfying! This Instant Pot clam chowder tastes especially delicious on a cold day. I just love cozying up with a big bowl of this delicious soup to warm me up.
It takes just 15 minutes to make – that’s a fraction of the time of any other clam chowder recipe! Start by sautéing the bacon and veggies, adding in some seasoning, then cooking the potatoes until perfectly tender. Finish everything off with some heavy cream and chopped clams, then enjoy!

Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Clam Chowder

Bacon – I like to call this our secret ingredient! Bacon and its rendered flavors add a certain savory aspect to this soup that is simply unmatched. I highly recommend adding chopped bacon to your chowders, for its delicious and flavorful crunch. However, if you’d rather not use bacon, you can skip the first step and sauté the onion, celery, and thyme in 1/4 cup of salted butter instead.

Heavy Whipping Cream – Heavy whipping cream is what makes this Instant Pot clam chowder irresistibly creamy. It’s also vital to the thickness of this chowder recipe. If you can’t find heavy whipping cream, you can use just heavy cream instead. Also, if you’d like to make this dairy free, swap the heavy whipping cream out for one cup of full-fat coconut milk.

Chef’s Tips

Don’t overthink this recipe! The method is actually so simple. Move seamlessly between one step to another and enjoy the finished result!
Serve this Instant Pot clam chowder however you’d like! I love mine with a handful of crushed oyster crackers sprinkled over the top. A nice warm side of crusty bread would also be delicious.
Give the chowder a taste at the very end before adjusting any seasoning. Once completely cooked, you’ll have a full idea of how it will taste and of any changes it needs.

close-up overhead image of instant pot clam chowder

More Easy and Delicious Instant Pot Recipes

We hope you loved this recipe as much as we did! We’d love for you to give us a star ★ rating below, and follow us on Instagram! For more delicious, healthy recipes, be sure to check out 40 Aprons.

Print Recipe

Instant Pot Clam Chowder

This Instant Pot clam chowder comes together in just 15 minutes! Tender veggies, chopped clams, and a sprinkling of fresh herbs are finished off in an irresistibly creamy broth.

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chowder, creamy, one pot meal

Servings: servings

Calories: 455kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

4 slices bacon chopped
1 yellow onion chopped
2 celery stalks chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
3 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
4 medium potatoes cubed
1 (8-ounce) bottle clam juice
1 ½ cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons all purpose flour see Notes for gluten-free
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 (6.5-ounce) cans chopped clams drained

Instructions

Set Instant Pot to sauté setting and add in the chopped bacon. Cook for about 3 minutes or until almost done.
Add in the onion, celery, and thyme and continue sautéing until onion is translucent, about 6 minutes. Add in the garlic, salt, and black pepper and stir for just 1 minute.
Add in the potatoes, clam juice, and chicken broth then secure lid on Instant Pot and set to manual high pressure for 8 minutes. Quick-release steam, remove lid, and set back to sauté setting.
Mix together in the flour and heavy whipping cream in a separate bowl then add to Instant Pot and stir until soup has thickened. Then add in the chopped clams and stir to combine.

Notes

Make it Gluten-Free: To make this chowder gluten-free, replace the all purpose flour with an equal amount of rice flour or cassava flour.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including crackers. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by 4. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition

September 14, 2021 Appetizer

Buffalo Shrimp

This buffalo shrimp is insanely flavorful and requires just a handful of simple ingredients! Shrimp are cooked until tender, then tossed in a spicy sauce with just a touch of sweetness. Enjoy this easy buffalo shrimp on its own as a tasty appetizer or over a salad for a delicious meal!

What Makes This Buffalo Shrimp So Good

It’s one of the easiest shrimp recipes ever! Simply coat the shrimp in seasoning, then broil for a few minutes per side. Remove them from the oven and toss in a quick three-ingredient buffalo sauce – that’s it!
It can be served in a variety of ways! This buffalo shrimp makes the perfect appetizer with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing. It also tastes great over a salad or alongside roasted veggies for a complete and healthy meal.
These shrimp are insanely addictive! You ever start eating a bag of chips and just can’t stop? Well these shrimp have that same exact quality – pop one and you’ll want to eat the whole batch!

Key Ingredients for Buffalo Shrimp

Shrimp – Pick up a pound of raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp for this recipe. You can either leave the tail on or off your shrimp. I prefer keeping the tail on as I think it helps trap just a bit more flavor. Though for easier/neater eating, simply remove each tail before cooking!

Cajun Seasoning – Cajun seasoning coats these shrimp in intense flavor. The blend of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and a variety of other spices take this recipe to the next level. However if you don’t have Cajun seasoning, you can instead use a mix of paprika, salt, and black pepper in its place.

Hot Sauce – Any hot sauce will work here, though I recommend Frank’s RedHot. It’s spicy without overpowering the other flavors in this recipe. It’s also not too thin and does a perfect job at coating and sticking to the shrimp.

Chef’s Tips

Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel before tossing in Cajun seasoning. Dried shrimp will bake up crispier and more delicious in the oven!
If you’d like, you can grill this buffalo shrimp rather than broiling it! To do this, simply add to a hot grill over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side. Once the shrimp is completely opaque, it’s cooked through and ready to be tossed in the sauce.
Feel free to customize the spice in this recipe based on your preferences. For less spicy shrimp, replace the Cajun seasoning with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Then, for even less spice, use half the amount of hot sauce!

buffalo shrimp on a plate with ranch dressing on the side

Other Easy Shrimp Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Buffalo Shrimp

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time6 mins

Total Time11 mins

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 15 minutes, easy shrimp recipe, spicy

Servings: servings

Calories: 217kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Baking sheet
Large bowl

Ingredients

1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning see Notes
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup hot sauce such as Frank's RedHot
2 tablespoons butter melted
1 tablespoon honey optional

Instructions

Set oven to high broil and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add shrimp to a large bowl and toss in Cajun seasoning. Then drizzle in the olive oil and mix to coat.
Transfer shrimp to baking sheet and broil for 3 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Mix together the hot sauce, butter, and honey in a large bowl then toss in the cooked shrimp to coat in sauce.

Notes

Cajun Seasoning: If you don’t have Cajun seasoning, you can use Old Bay seasoning or a combination of paprika, salt, and black pepper in its place.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including ranch dip, celery, or carrots. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

August 5, 2021 Dairy-Free

Chicken Pomodoro

This chicken pomodoro is light, easy, and delicious! With just one skillet, you’ll have a healthy meal in under 20 minutes.

What Makes This Chicken Pomodoro So Good

From start to finish this dish takes less than 20 minutes to make! Lightly sear the chicken, make the sauce, then add everything back into the skillet. You’ll have a healthy and delicious meal on the table in no time!
It requires a few simple ingredients that you probably already have on-hand. Salt, black pepper, garlic, and lemon juice are the main seasonings for this easy recipe. This is the perfect dish to throw together when you’re low on ingredients but still want something tasty and satisfying!
The entire meal gets cooked in the same skillet! That’s right, this one skillet meal makes for easy cooking and even easier cleanup.

Key Ingredients for Chicken Pomodoro

Chicken Breast Cutlets – You can either purchase pre-sliced chicken cutlets from the store, or buy chicken breasts and slice them yourself. If starting with whole breasts, place them on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice horizontally through each breast. This will leave you with two thin chicken breasts which you can either go straight into using for this recipe, or continue to make them even thinner. To do that, place each breast between two slices of parchment paper and use either a meat mallet or heavy object to pound the chicken to your desired thinness.

Cherry Tomatoes – Fresh cherry tomatoes add incredible vibrance to this chicken pomodoro recipe! Start by rinsing your tomatoes, then slicing them in half for this recipe. While the tomatoes cook, they release some of their natural sugars becoming almost caramelized and delicious.

Chef’s Tips

Be sure to pat each chicken cutlet dry with a paper towel in the first step of this recipe. The dryer you can get the chicken before cooking, the crispier it will become! There’s not much better than a juicy cutlet that’s golden brown on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside.
Chicken is cooked through once it has reached an internal temperature of 165° Fahrenheit. However, if you don’t have a meat thermometer and are concerned about undercooking the chicken – simply slice one in half to give it a check. If the chicken is opaque through the center, then it’s fully cooked and ready to enjoy!
Avoid crowding the skillet while lightly browning the chicken. An overcrowded pan will yield less-crispy cutlets. Therefore, you may need to work in batches to evenly cook each cutlet until perfectly golden brown!

overhead image of chicken pomodoro in a skillet with white wine on the side

Other Quick and Easy One-Skillet Recipes

Print Recipe

Chicken Pomodoro

This chicken pomodoro is light, easy, and delicious! With just one skillet, you'll have a healthy meal in under 20 minutes.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: healthy dinner, low carb, one pan recipe

Servings: servings

Calories: 310kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large skillet

Ingredients

For the chicken:

2 pounds chicken breast cutlets
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil

For the sauce:

½ onion chopped
4 garlic cloves minced
1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half
½ cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Additional salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Pat chicken cutlets dry with a paper towel then sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until lightly golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until soft.
Add in the tomatoes, broth, and lemon juice then stir and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Place chicken back into the skillet and cook, cover with a lid, and cook for about 8 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Notes

Store leftover chicken pomodoro in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days!

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 out of 4 servings using the ingredients listed. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

July 20, 2021 Air Fryer

Air Fryer Home Fries

These air fryer home fries are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside! In under 20 minutes you’ll have restaurant-quality home fries with minimal effort and ingredients.

What Makes These Air Fryer Home Fries So Good

They cook up incredibly crispy and delicious every time! This foolproof recipe takes all of the guesswork out of making super crispy home fries. Simply add everything to an air fryer and then let it do all the work!
They’re lightly seasoned and easy to customize. A pinch of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt is all you’ll need to create flavorful air fryer home fries. However, you can always switch up the seasonings however you’d like!
They’re the perfect side dish to so many recipes! Home fries are delicious and can be enjoyed beyond breakfast time. Serve these alongside our air fryer chicken legs or sausage for a quick, full, and balanced meal!

Key Ingredients for Air Fryer Home Fries

Potatoes – Use any white, yellow, or even red potato you’d like in this simple recipe! I love yellow potatoes for their incredibly soft texture and almost buttery flavor. Though I’ve made this recipe with pretty much every potato you can think of – russet potatoes, baby potatoes, red potatoes – and they all turned out delicious. You could even use sweet potatoes if you’d like, though keep in mind they won’t turn out as crispy. Also, you’re free to either remove the skins or leave the skins on your potatoes. I personally don’t mind skin on my air fryer home fries, so to make my life easier I just keep it on!

Spray Cooking Oil – I recommend either avocado spray cooking oil or vegetable spray cooking oil. Both options have a higher smoke point and are better for use in the air fryer. However, if you don’t have spray cooking oil, you can simply use a drizzle of regular oil instead.

Smoked Paprika – A little bit goes a long way with these air fryer home fries! Smoked paprika is traditional to the home fries you’d find at most diners and breakfast spots. Though if you don’t have smoked paprika, you can use regular paprika instead. And if you’d like, you can even leave the paprika out of this recipe altogether.

Chef’s Tips

Pause the air fryer ever 3-5 minutes, remove the tray or basket and give it a few big shakes. Shaking the home fries will ensure they all cook and crisp up evenly!
There’s no need to go overboard on the oil here! While standard cooking methods may require quite a bit of oil, the air fryer eliminates the need to use much. So, thank you air fryer for making super crispy home fries without the extra calories!
Store any leftover home fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When ready to eat, transfer back to the air fryer tray or basket and cook at 350° for 5-10 minutes. Avoid microwaving leftover home fries, as they will lose much of their delightful crunch!

air fryer home fries on a plate being dipped into ketchup with a fork

More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Air Fryer Home Fries

These air fryer home fryers are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside! In under 20 minutes you'll have restaurant-quality home fries with minimal effort and ingredients.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: air fryer, easy breakfast, restaurant-style

Servings: servings

Calories: 88kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large bowl
Air Fryer

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds potatoes chopped into even 1-inch chunks, see Notes
spray cooking oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

Add the potatoes to a large bowl and spritz with spray cooking oil to coat.
Sprinkle with salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder – toss to evenly coat potatoes in spices.
Spritz air fryer basket with cooking oil then transfer potatoes to basket and cook at 380° Fahrenheit for 14 minutes, pausing to shake basket every 3-5 minutes.

Notes

Potatoes: Any white, yellow, or red potatoes will work in this recipe! You have the option to either remove the skin or leave the skin on before chopping.
Keep in mind that all seasonings are optional and you’re free to spice these home fries up however you’d like!

Recipe yields approximately 6 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 6 using the ingredients listed. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

July 15, 2021 Dairy-Free

Cheesy Keto Green Beans

These easy keto green beans are the perfect low carb dinner veggie! Simple, yet perfectly seasoned. They’re cheesy, crisp, and full of great flavor!

keto green beans on a baking sheet with red pepper flakes on top

What Makes This Keto Green Beans Recipe So Good

This recipe takes just 20 minutes to make! It’s perfect when you need a quick and healthy side dish.
They’re made with just a few simple ingredients. These keto green beans are lightly seasoned then topped with shredded cheese – YUM!
Each serving of these green beans has just 4g of net carbs! Making it super easy to fit into your low carb or keto diet.

Key Ingredients for Keto Green Beans

Fresh Green Beans – This crisp veggie is available all year round at most grocery stores. They’re low in calories and loaded with vitamins and good-for-you dietary fiber. Green beans make a great addition to any keto or low-carb diet! To prepare your green beans for this recipe, start by giving them a good rinse under cold water, then snap off and remove the stems.

Parmesan Cheese – Parmesan cheese adds a delicate, yet sharp flavor to this side dish! I highly recommend purchasing a block of parmesan cheese and grating it yourself for this recipe. Most pre-grated cheeses have unnecessary fillers in them that pack in extra carbs. To keep this recipe keto and low-carb, grate or shred all the cheeses yourself.

Chef’s Tips

You can fancy up this dish by adding a squeeze of lemon juice or some lemon zest, a little butter (great if you need some more of your daily fat while on keto), bacon, or slivered almonds. You can even add a sprinkling of extra parmesan cheese once baked, if you’d like!
Keep a close eye on your cheese as the keto green beans bake. Depending on the position of your oven rack, the cheese can take less or more time to turn golden brown. If the cheese isn’t browning as much as you’d like, you can set the oven to broil for one minute!
While these keto green beans are best enjoyed while the cheese is still hot, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat in either the microwave or in a 400° Fahrenheit oven for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly!

keto green beans being lifted off a baking sheet with a spatula

More Veggie Recipes

Print Recipe

Cheesy Keto Green Beans

These easy keto green beans are the perfect low carb dinner veggie! Simple, yet perfectly seasoned. They're cheesy, crisp, and full of great flavor!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: low carb, under 30 minutes, vegetables

Servings: servings

Calories: 156kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Ingredients

16 ounces fresh green beans
2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
3 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup parmesan cheese grated
1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Toss the green beans, oil, garlic, salt and black pepper together in a large bowl.
Transfer green beans to the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
Remove and toss green beans before evenly sprinkling with parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until cheese is golden brown and bubbly.

Notes

Variations: Try adding a squeeze of lemon juice or some lemon zest, a little butter (great if you need some more of your daily fat while on keto), bacon, or slivered almonds.
Avoid pre-grated/shredded cheese for this recipe which may have added fillers and carbs!

Recipe yields approximately 6 servings. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 6. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

July 6, 2021 Dairy-Free

Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts

These Instant Pot boiled peanuts are a healthy and delicious savory snack! This foolproof method yields perfectly cooked peanuts with hardly any effort. Easily cook up a batch of these peanuts at the start of your week and enjoy this nutritious snack all week long!

What Makes These Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts So Good

It’s seriously the easiest boiled peanuts method out there! Chuck everything in the Instant Pot, then leave it to do all the hard work. Return to perfectly soft and savory peanuts every time.
They’re an incredibly healthy snack! Boiled peanuts are proven to have nearly four times more antioxidants than other peanuts. So the next time you need a delicious but good-for-you snack, I highly recommend you give this recipe a try!
They’re perfectly savory with the right amount of salt to balance out the natural sweetness of the peanuts. I will warn you, this snack is highly addictive, though lucky for you it’s healthy too!

Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts

Peanuts – You can make this recipe using either dried or undried peanuts. I unfortunately do not have access to undried peanuts, so I used dried peanuts and they still turned out delicious! The most important thing when selecting your peanuts is that they have the shell on, are raw and do not contain any salt. All of these things will equate to perfect, ready-for-boiling peanuts!

Salt – Feel free to adjust the salt based on your preferences. However, boiled peanuts are traditionally rather salty and this Instant Pot recipe is no exception. If you prefer a less salty nut, reduce the amount of salt by as little as half!

Chef’s Tips

Be patient and allow the steam to naturally release from these Instant Pot boiled peanuts! Once the 80 minutes it up, the pot will take about 20 minutes to naturally release all of its steam. You’ll know the lid is ready to be removed once the pressure valve has dropped down to its starting position.
You can easily half this recipe if you’d like! This makes quite a few peanuts, so if you’re looking for a small batch simply use half a pound of peanuts instead. If using half a pound of peanuts, then use just 1/4 cup of salt.
Strain these Instant Pot boiled peanuts from their water and store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the fridge for up to one week. You can enjoy these hot, at room temperature, or cold – really however you’d like!

close up image of instant pot boiled peanuts in a bowl

More Simple Instant Pot Recipes

Print Recipe

Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts

These Instant Pot boiled peanuts are a healthy and delicious savory snack! This foolproof method yields perfectly cooked peanuts with hardly any effort. Easily cook up a batch of these Instant Pot boiled peanuts at the start of your week and enjoy this nutritious snack all week long!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time1 hr 20 mins

Total Time1 hr 25 mins

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy snack, healthy, instant pot recipe

Servings: servings

Calories: 215kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

1 pound peanuts raw, shelled, and unsalted
½ cup salt
water

Instructions

Rinse peanuts well under cold water then add to the Instant Pot along with the salt and fill with enough water to cover peanuts.
Place trivet inside Instant Pot and place a heatproof bowl over the top to hold it down. Cover with lid and set to high pressure for 80 minutes.
Allow pressure to release naturally before removing lid.

Notes

The Instant Pot pictured above is a 6 quart Instant Pot, be careful not to fill your Instant Pot beyond the max fill line.

Recipe yields approximately 12 servings. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 12. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

July 1, 2021 Appetizer

Roasted Chili Corn Salsa

Roasted chili corn salsa is a homemade take on a popular restaurant side dish. With sweet corn, red onion, roasted peppers, and bright lime juice, this zesty, refreshing salsa goes great with burrito bowls, tacos, or a helping of tortilla chips.

What Makes This Roasted Chili Corn Salsa So Good

If you love the roasted chili corn salsa from Chipotle, then you’re in luck! This homemade copycat is every bit as good as the real deal! You could even pair it with this Chipotle sofritas copycat for a whole Chipotle-at-home dinner.
Roasted chili corn salsa is a little sweet, a little zesty, and a lot of delicious. Don’t worry if you don’t like heat – this one is actually pretty mild.
You can serve this as a salsa with tortilla chips, on top of nachos, wrapped up in a burrito, as a side with carne asada, or mixed into a Southwestern salad. It adds so much flavor and texture to any dish!

Key Ingredients for Roasted Chili Corn Salsa

Corn – We’re using frozen corn here, and that’s what Chipotle uses, too. You can use fresh if you prefer, though. We used a mixture of white and yellow corn for variety, but you can use whichever you like or can find.

Poblano Pepper – This recipe gets the “roasted chili” part of its name right here. The roasted poblano pepper. Roasting the pepper under the broiler (or over an open flame on a gas stove) brings out its delicious smokey flavor which adds this amazing depth to the salsa. If poblanos aren’t your thing, you could use bell peppers instead.

Chef’s Tips

I highly recommend letting the salsa sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. The flavors develop as it sits, making it even more delicious.
You can use thawed, uncooked frozen corn, like we did here, or you can cook it first if you like! Just follow the instructions on the package, then let the corn cool completely before using it in your roasted chili corn salsa. You can also roast it first for a slightly different flavor. Just toss the thawed kernels in a little neutral oil and bake them at 375° Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes.
The easiest way to remove the skin from the poblano pepper is to cover the pepper with a bowl or plastic wrap as soon as it comes out of the oven. Let the steam build for 10 minutes or so, then use a paper towel or gloves and gently rub off the charred skin.

Other Delicious Sides You’ll Enjoy

Print Recipe

Roasted Chili Corn Salsa

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chipotle, chips and dip, roasted vegetables

Servings:

Calories: 81kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Broiler
Small baking sheet
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Large bowl

Ingredients

1 large poblano pepper
10 ounces frozen corn thawed
1 jalapeño seeds removed, finely chopped
⅓ cup chopped cilantro
½ of one red onion diced
2 tablespoons lime juice
¼ teaspoon cumin
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Instructions

Turn broiler on and set to high if it has multiple settings. Place poblano pepper on baking sheet and set under broiler. Broil pepper, turning every minute or so, until charred outside. Note: if you have a gas range, you can char the pepper over an open flame instead.
Transfer charred pepper from baking sheet to cutting board. Remove charred skin (see Notes), stem, and seeds. Chop remaining pepper into fine pieces.
In large bowl, thoroughly combine all ingredients, including chopped poblano pepper. Serve immediately, or cover and chill at least 30 minutes, then serve.

Notes

Poblano Pepper: The easiest way to remove the skin from the poblano pepper is to cover the pepper with a bowl or plastic wrap as soon as it comes out of the oven. Let the steam build for 10 minutes or so, then use a paper towel or gloves and gently rub off the charred skin.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 4 using the ingredients listed. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

June 29, 2021 Air Fryer

Frozen Burritos in the Air Fryer

Cooking frozen burritos in the air fryer is the best way to get delicious, perfect frozen burritos! The air fryer gives you much better results than the microwave in less time than the oven. You’ll never cook frozen burritos any other way again!

Frozen burritos cooked in the air fryer topped with pico, guacamole, and sour cream

What Makes Frozen Burritos in the Air Fryer So Good

If you’ve ever cooked a frozen burrito in the microwave, you know they come out alright. They’re hot and delicious, sure, but they can be a little… soggy. Or they might not cook evenly, so one spot is REALLY hot and one spot is still practically frozen. Or parts of the tortilla dry out and get really tough. You get the picture. The point is, the air fryer completely takes care of all of those issues, leaving you with perfectly cooked, hot, crispy burritos.
This method is so simple. I mean, couldn’t be any simpler if you tried. You don’t even have to thaw them first! Just place the frozen burritos in the air fryer and fry them for 13-15 minutes. That’s it.

Key Ingredients for Frozen Burritos in the Air Fryer

Frozen Burritos – Use your favorite frozen burritos! This air fryer method works for any brand and any type.

Toppings of Choice – A great way to dress up your frozen burritos is to add your favorite toppings! Sour cream, queso, salsa, guacamole dip, pico de gallo – whatever you want!

Chef’s Tips

The first rule of air frying is to place your food in a single, flat layer, without overlapping. Overlapping will keep the air from circulating like it needs to, and parts of your burritos will be undercooked. If your air fryer is on the small side, that may mean you need to work in multiple batches, depending on the number of frozen burritos you’re cooking.
If you like your burritos extra crispy or your food tends to stick to your air fryer basket, you can lightly spray the basket with air-fryer-safe spray oil before you cook the burritos. Totally optional!

Other Air Fryer Recipes You Simply Have to Try

Print Recipe

Frozen Burritos in the Air Fryer

Cooking frozen burritos in the air fryer is the best way to get delicious, perfect frozen burritos! The air fryer gives you much better results than the microwave in less time than the oven. You'll never cook frozen burritos any other way again!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Main Course, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy meals, frozen foods, taco tuesday

Servings: burritos

Calories: 310kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

air-fryer-safe spray oil
2-4 frozen burritos
toppings of choice

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit.
When preheated, lightly spray air fryer basket with spray oil if desired to prevent sticking. Place frozen burritos in air fryer basket.
Return air fryer basket to air fryer. Cook frozen burritos 13 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through cook time.
Remove frozen burritos from air fryer. Garnish with toppings of choice and serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe works for any type or brand of frozen burrito. If cooking multiple burritos, be sure to place them in the basket in one flat layer, without overlapping.

Number of servings will depend on number of burritos cooked and desired portion sizes. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 El Monterey Beef & Bean Burrito. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

June 17, 2021 Dairy-Free

Steamed Potatoes with Herbs

These steamed potatoes are irresistibly soft and buttery! In a few simple steps you’ll have a healthy side dish that pairs well with virtually any meal. Make these steamed potatoes the next time you’re craving something quick, easy, and delicious!

close up image of steam potatoes on a plate with a lemon

What Makes These Steamed Potatoes So Good

They’re cooked to soft, buttery perfection! Steaming is one of the best ways to guarantee deliciously tender potatoes every time.
They require barely any effort at all. Simply add to a steamer basket, then remove and toss in butter and fresh herbs – that’s it! Leave these steamed potatoes to cook while you work on the rest of your meal and you’ll have dinner on the table in no time.
They’re super easy to customize to your liking! Use your favorite fresh herbs and add as much or as little salt as you’d like.

Key Ingredients for Steamed Potatoes

Baby Potatoes – There are a few kinds of baby potatoes out there, and any kind will work in this recipe. These steamed potatoes are also a great dish to throw together when you have any leftover potatoes lying around. No need to peel or chop these potatoes either. Simply give them a good rinse then toss them straight into a steamer basket!

Fresh Herbs – I used fresh parsley and chives, but you can use a few tablespoons of whatever fresh herbs you’d like! Fresh dill, cilantro, thyme, and basil are all delicious options as well. Have fun with this part of the recipe, get creative and make it your own.

Chef’s Tips

Depending on the size of your potatoes, they may take longer to cook. At the 20 minute mark, check on the potatoes to see how they’re progressing. Do this by gently piercing one with a fork, if the fork glides through the potato easily then they’re ready to eat!
If you don’t have a steamer basket, then simply add the potatoes to a medium pot with one inch of water. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
Turn this into a complete meal by adding some broccoli to the steamer basket in the final 4-5 minutes of cooking. When done, toss potatoes and broccoli in the butter and herbs then serve alongside a protein for a healthy weeknight meal!

overhead image of steamed potatoes on a plate with a fork and lemon

More Easy Side Dish Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Steamed Potatoes with Herbs

These steamed potatoes are irresistibly soft and buttery! In a few simple steps you'll have a healthy side dish that pairs well with virtually any meal. Make these steamed potatoes the next time you're craving something quick, easy, and delicious!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time25 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy side, fewer than 5 ingredients, weeknight dinner

Servings: servings

Calories: 157kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Medium pot
Steamer basket

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds baby potatoes
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter see Notes
2-3 tablespoons fresh herbs see Notes
Additional salt to taste

Instructions

Add about one inch of water to a pot with a steamer basket. Once simmering, add the potatoes and salt into the steamer basket, cover, and cook for 20 minutes or until tender.
Transfer steamed potatoes to a large bowl with the butter and fresh herbs, tossing to coat. Taste and season with additional salt as desired.

Notes

Make it Vegan: Use vegan butter or olive oil in place of the butter in this recipe.
Fresh Herbs: I used fresh chives and parsley, but you can use any fresh herbs you’d like in this recipe.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines, and reflect information for one serving. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific types and brands of ingredients used.

Nutrition

June 15, 2021 Dairy-Free

Instant Pot Carne Asada

Instant Pot carne asada is one of my favorite ways to prepare a perfect flank steak. Easy and quick, this recipe is full of simple ingredients that give you incredible flavors. Use it as the protein in tacos, nachos, or carne asada fries, or enjoy it on its own with a few complementing sides.

What Makes This Instant Pot Carne Asada So Good

Carne asada is actually grilled meat, and true, if you’re cooking in the Instant Pot you’re not really grilling. Sometimes you want a carne-asada-style dinner, though, and don’t have the time (or equipment) to grill a flank steak. That’s where this recipe comes in! It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s not weather-dependent.
Carne asada is super versatile! You can change up the spices and liquids you use to get different flavors, no problem. It’s perfect for tacos, nachos, and carne asada fries. It’s also delicious with just a side of cilantro lime cauliflower rice, refried black beans, or guacamole salad.
The Instant Pot keeps the flank steak super juicy and makes it perfectly tender. Everything cooks quickly and clean-up is a snap. If you’re on the fence about getting an Instant Pot, let this be your sign!
This recipe is a wonderful option for all you meal-preppers! Instant Pot carne asada is a great make-ahead recipe. Store any uneaten carne asada in an airtight container in the fridge and it’ll keep up to 7 days. You can freeze it, too! Just let it cool completely, pack it in an airtight container, freeze it, and eat it within 3 months.

Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Carne Asada

Flank Steak – Flank steak is a lean cut of meat that’s really versatile and easy to work with. Since it’s leaner, it can be tough if you overcook it. That’s what’s great about cooking it in the Instant Pot with a lot of liquid, though – it reduces the odds of overcooking and drying out the meat. You can use a skirt steak instead of flank steak if you prefer it or just can’t find flank steak.

Orange Juice – Unexpected? Maybe. Delicious? Definitely. The acid in orange juice (and in the lime juice) helps tenderize the flank steak, so long as you don’t use too much. Too much acidity can actually make the steak tougher. The OJ is also citrusy and just a tiny bit sweet, which adds another great level of flavor to the marinade and keeps it from tasting too acidic.

Chef’s Tips

If you’d like your flank steak less done, lower the cook time by about 5-10 minutes. Your exact cook time will depend on how rare/done you like your steak. As always, internal temperature is the best test of doneness. For medium steak, you’ll want an internal temperature of 140°-145° Fahrenheit. Medium rare, 130°-135° Fahrenheit. Medium well, 150°-155° Fahrenheit. Since you can’t really pause the Instant Pot and open the lid to check the temperature of the meat, you might try a test run with a small amount of flank steak before you cook the whole 2 pounds. The test run won’t be exact since it’s a smaller amount, but it’ll give you a ballpark cook time to try!
This part isn’t super necessary, BUT if you have time, I recommend letting the flank steak sit with the spice mixture on it for 15-30 minutes. After 15-30 minutes, move on to step 3 of the instructions below. This just gives the spice mixture more time to mingle with the steak and lets those flavors really develop.
To really lock in the flavors and juices of your Instant Pot carne asada, let the flank steak rest on a cutting board for 5ish minutes after you take it out of the Instant Pot, before you slice it. Again, not necessary, but a simple step that can have an impact!

Zoomed out photo of sliced Instant Pot carne asada on a white plate sitting on a white table

Other Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Instant Pot Carne Asada

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time45 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Latin, Mexican

Keyword: game day, pressure cooker, taco tuesday

Servings:

Calories: 263kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Small bowl
Instant Pot
Tongs
Cutting board
Sharp knife

Ingredients

1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cumin
2 pounds flank steak
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup beef broth
¼ cup lime juice
¼ cup orange juice see Notes
3 cloves garlic minced
½ cup cilantro chopped, plus more for serving if desired
½ of one small onion sliced

Instructions

In small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, chili powder, onion powder, and cumin.
Generously season both sides of flank steak with spice mixture, making sure to rub spices into steak very well.
Add olive oil to Instant Pot and turn on Sauté function. Add flank steak to Instant Pot. If needed, cut flank steak (against the grain) into two large pieces to fit in Instant Pot. Brown flank steak on both sides for approximately 6 minutes total (2-3 minutes per side).
After browning flank steak, add beef broth, lime juice, orange juice, and garlic to Instant Pot.
Place cilantro and onion on top of flank steak. Secure lid on Instant Pot and set to Manual High Pressure for 20 minutes (for well done steak – see Notes). After 20 minute cook time is up, let pressure naturally release for 10 minutes.
Vent to release any remaining pressure and carefully remove lid. Transfer flank steak to cutting board. Slice into thin strips, always cutting against the grain.
Top sliced flank steak with additional chopped cilantro if desired and serve.

Notes

Cook Time: Cook times vary from one Instant Pot to another, so you may need to adjust the cook time based on your pressure cooker and on the size and thickness of your flank steak. For less well-done steak, lower the cook time by 5-10 minutes depending on desired doneness. Check temperature with internal meat thermometer before cutting steak.
To Cut the Flank Steak: Using a sharp knife, slice against the grain of the meat, slicing at a diagonal angle. What does against the grain mean? Look for the lines of muscle running through the meat, and slice perpendicularly to those. You may have to adjust the way you’re slicing on different sections of meat depending on the direction the fibers run.
Make it Gluten Free: Make sure your broth is gluten free.
Make it Keto: The orange juice and onion are the only non-keto ingredients in this recipe. Some keto-eaters don’t worry about onions, but you can skip them altogether if you want. Depending on your keto style, you can try an organic orange juice with no added sugar – since you’re only using ¼ cup here, the OJ will only add about 6 carbs total to the entire recipe, or 1 carb per serving. If you’re strict keto, you can skip the orange juice altogether and use more beef broth and lemon juice or more lime juice in its place. You’ll end up with a slightly different flavor but it’ll still be great!

Recipe yields approximately 6 servings. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition