Beef and Cabbage One Pot Meal

This is a budget-friendly, one pot ground beef and cabbage meal. It is a simple meal that can easily be modified with more veggies and seasonings.

Ingredients

• ground beef (1 lbs)

• onion

• garlic (1 clove, chopped fine)

• cabbage (1 head)

• diced tomatoes (1 can)

• tomato sauce (1 can)

• Salt & Pepper

• Italian Seasoning Blend (optional)

Directions

1. Chop the onion and garlic.

2. Sauté until translucent.

3. Add the ground beef, spices, salt, pepper.

4. Cook until the beef is browned.

5. Add the canned tomatoes and cabbage.

6. Simmer for about 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Beer Braised Irish Stew and Colcannon

This is a yummy alternative to corned beef for St. Patty's Day and a wonderful anytime dish!

Ingredients

Irish Stew:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 (3 pound) beef chuck roast, trimmed of fat and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 cup coarsely chopped onion

• 1 cup coarsely chopped carrot

• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle dark beer

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Colcannon:

• 3 slices bacon

• 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

• 2 cups thinly sliced cabbage

• ¼ cup milk, warmed

• 2 tablespoons butter

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

• Step 2

  Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until very hot, and brown the meat in 2 batches, stirring to brown the cubes on all sides. Return all the meat to the Dutch oven, sprinkle with flour, and stir lightly to coat the meat with flour. Stir in onion, carrots, dark beer, bay leaves, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, and cover.

• Step 3

  Place the Dutch oven into the preheated oven, and cook for 45 minutes; uncover, stir the stew, and cook until the beef is very tender and the liquid is reduced by half, about 45 more minutes.

• Step 4

  Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Crumble the bacon and set aside.

• Step 5

  About 30 minutes before the stew is ready, make the colcannon: Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for a minute or two.

• Step 6

  Place the cabbage into a microwave-safe bowl, and add 1 or 2 tablespoons of water. Cover and microwave on High for about 2 1/2 minutes; uncover (watch out for steam) and stir the cabbage. Cover and microwave for about 2 1/2 more minutes, until the cabbage is slightly tender but not mushy. Drain excess liquid, and set the cabbage aside, covered.

• Step 7

  Place the potatoes into a large bowl, and add milk, butter, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Beat the potatoes with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Stir in the cabbage, crumbled bacon, and parsley until well combined.

• Step 8

  To serve, place a scoop of colcannon onto a plate, make a hollow, and fill with braised beef stew.

Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls

These spring rolls are a refreshing change from the usual fried variety, and have become a family favorite. They are great as a cool summertime appetizer, and are delicious dipped in one or both of the sauces.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces rice vermicelli

• 8 rice wrappers (8.5 inch diameter)

• 8 large cooked shrimp - peeled, deveined and cut in half

• 1 ⅓ tablespoons chopped fresh Thai basil

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

• 2 leaves lettuce, chopped

• 4 teaspoons fish sauce

• ¼ cup water

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons white sugar

• ½ teaspoon garlic chili sauce

• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce

• 1 teaspoon finely chopped peanuts

Directions

• Step 1

  Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil. Boil rice vermicelli 3 to 5 minutes, or until al dente, and drain.

• Step 2

  Fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip one wrapper into the hot water for 1 second to soften. Lay wrapper flat. In a row across the center, place 2 shrimp halves, a handful of vermicelli, basil, mint, cilantro and lettuce, leaving about 2 inches uncovered on each side. Fold uncovered sides inward, then tightly roll the wrapper, beginning at the end with the lettuce. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

• Step 3

  In a small bowl, mix the fish sauce, water, lime juice, garlic, sugar and chili sauce.

• Step 4

  In another small bowl, mix the hoisin sauce and peanuts.

• Step 5

  Serve rolled spring rolls with the fish sauce and hoisin sauce mixtures.

Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup

Do you have a pressure cooker, like an Instant Pot? Check out this easy, cheesy recipesy!

Ingredients

• 1 (28 ounce) can cooked chicken in broth

• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained

• 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

• 1 (10 ounce) can red enchilada sauce

• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles (such as RO*TEL®)

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cut into pieces

• ½ cup chopped onion

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• ¾ cup crushed tortilla chips

• 1 tablespoon chopped green onions, or to taste

Directions

• Step 1

  Drain canned chicken and save 1 cup broth.

• Step 2

  Combine chicken and broth with black beans, corn, enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes and green chiles, cream cheese, and onion in a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®). Close and lock the lid. Select Soup function according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 20 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.

• Step 3

  Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 40 minutes.

• Step 4

  Stir well and serve. Top with mozzarella, tortilla chips, and green onions.

Fudge Truffle Cheesecake

Truffle-like chocolate cheesecake in a chocolate cookie crust. It is the perfect dessert to accompany your Valentine’s Day celebration.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups vanilla wafer crumbs

• ½ cup confectioners' sugar

• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• ⅓ cup butter, softened

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature

• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

• 4 large eggs eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

• Step 2

  In a large mixing bowl, mix together crushed vanilla wafers, confectioners' sugar, cocoa, and butter by hand. Press ingredients into a 9-inch springform pan.

• Step 3

  In the top of a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips, making sure that they are very smooth.

• Step 4

  In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy with an electric mixer. Gradually beat in condensed milk until smooth. Mix in melted chocolate, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are thoroughly blended. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.

• Step 5

  Bake at 300 degrees F for 55 minutes. The cake will seem underbaked in the center, but will continue to cook after you remove it from the oven.

• Step 6

  Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for several hours before serving.

Crispy Baked Gau

February 1st is the Chinese New Year. Celebrate the Year of the Tiger with this traditional new year dessert. This is a baked version of the Chinese Gau, a dessert that is usually steamed.

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) box sweet rice flour (mochiko)

• 2 cups brown sugar

• ¾ cup white sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 (13.5 ounce) can coconut milk

• 2 cups milk

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x12 inch pan with aluminum foil, going up the sides.

• Step 2

  Sift the rice flour, brown sugar, white sugar, and baking soda into a large bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the coconut milk, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir together until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and sprinkle sesame seeds over the top.

• Step 3

  Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Let cool in pan for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and place on a cutting board top side up. Cut into 1 inch squares.