Skinny Taco Dip

Yes! There is a first time for everything and this was the first time I have even attempted taco dip. I know crazy right it is such a popular snack food. I thought I would share the recipe in case anyone wanted a good option for the super bowl this weekend. I served this at work as a treat for my team and it was a big hit. It was gone in no time and I was told it was delicious. It is skinny because it substitutes out some of the sour cream with salsa and it is low fat sour cream and cream cheese.

What you need~
8 ounces of cream cheese (low fat)
8 ounces sour cream (low fat)
8 ounces of salsa
Half a packet of taco seasoning ~1/4 cup

Toppings to taste-
Diced tomato
Diced black olives
Chopped lettuce
Shredded Cheese
Diced red onion

In a bowl mix the items from cream cheese to taco seasoning with a hand mixer till combined well. Careful it was a bit messy. The top with your toppings and refrigerate until ready to serve. I served it with little tortilla chips. Yum!

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Yelp Event: Let’s Get Cozy

Time to get cozy when it is frigid out that is for sure. This Yelp event was special because it literally lived up the title of the event. I was relaxed (could have been the free booze) the entire time. The conversation was great as well as the food. Held at  Next Door Lounge/Cheese Cake Heaven it was a fantastic venue.

You can read my entire review of the event HERE on Yelp. I have included some pictures of the event below as well.

This was one of my favorite drink/bite options. That little piece of bread had goat cheese and pistachios. It was so yummy Ryan had to have two. Paired well with the apple cider option.  

I could have ate like 15 pounds of this pasta. It was so good someone bought some to take home. Paired well with the Johnny Red beer.  

This lobster bisque may have been lacking chunks of lobster but the flavor was so rich. The light white cut through some of that richness. I had seconds.

This was a mushroom bite and a mushroom beer. I did not taste mushroom in the beer but still a good pairing.

I mean we had to get in a blurry picture!

SWAG.

The set up. :)

Another fun Yelp even in the books. I cannot wait for the next one in Appleton next month. Get out there and explore some local businesses you never know what you will find.

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Instant Pot: Pot Roast AND Gravy

Yes and yum!
I finally did it after years of trying to make gravy I managed to make the perfect gravy. I also made a mouth watering roast after a ton of research on the topic. I found so many different time recommendations my head was spinning. I finally found someone that had tested out the same size roast at three different pressure cooker times and mastered the perfect time so I followed that. My roast was expensive at $16 but it was worth it because the quality of meat I had was great. What a treat this entire meal was for Ryan and I. Below are the recipes for both the roast and gravy. Yum!

What you need~

Roast

3-5 pound roast (cut into two 2 inch thick pieces)
olive oil (I used bacon grease)
1/2 onion white diced
4 cloves of garlic diced
2 cups of beef stock
1 bay leaf
Lawry's seasoning
1 packet of beef roast seasoning (use 1 cup of beef broth to mix into a paste)

Gravy

2 cups of stock (strained off of the meat pot)
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour

Roast
Start by turning your instant pot onto high sauté function. Add about a tablespoon of oil or fat (bacon grease) to the pan. Prep your roast by cutting it into two pieces (this prevents the outside from burning and the inside from being raw). Then pat dry and use the Lawry's seasoning on the roast. Sear the roast on all sides till it is light brown. Do not burn the meat. Take out of the pan and pour some of your beef broth in the pan. Make sure to deglaze ALL the little bits in the bottom of the pan to prevent that evil (burn notice). Add your onion and garlic along with all the rest of the beef stock. Let this shimmer for a minute before adding the steam rack to the instant pot. Place your meat back in the pot on top of the rack. Pour the beef roast paste on top the top of your roast. Place your bay leaf into the pot. Make sure the pot is set to not vent and set the pressure cooker to 45 minutes. When the pot is all done heating up and cooking and beeps turn off the pot and let it naturally release for 30 minutes. DO NOT quick release or touch the pot. At 30 minutes I released what pressure was left and opened the pot. You should not really have to do this though it should de-pressure on its own just fine. Remove your meat to rest and strain the broth in the bottom to remove the onions/garlic. Use this to make the gravy. Directions for the gravy below.

Gravy
Start by making sure your broth from the roasting process is strained properly to make a really smooth gravy you do not want clumps. Melt your butter and then add the flour. Let this bubble and heat until the flour/butter starts to get a light nutty brown color. Once you have this you start to slowly add the stock. I used 2 cups but you may need more/less. Take your time and be patient it will be worth it.

Cut up your roast and add that gravy. I hope you really enjoy this labor of love!

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Instant Pot: Chili

Dang this turned out heavenly. I mean I know that the instant pot pressure cooking this would force some good flavor into this chili but HOT damn! This was easy to make and it cooked in under like 30 minutes which for chili which usually takes me hours I was really happy to not have to babysit it on my stove.













What you need~
6 pieces of bacon (chopped)
1 pound of hamburger (I used venison)
1 white onion diced
1 yellow/red/green (whatever you have) pepper chopped
1 tablespoon garlic
1 (14 ounce) can of diced roasted tomatoes
1 can of pinto beans (rinsed)
1 can of kidney beans (rinsed)
1 can of black beans (rinsed)
6 cups of beef stock
2 packs of chili seasoning or seasoning of your choice

Start by turning the instant pot to sauté function and heat to medium heat. Once heated add the bacon slices and cook until done. Remove and place on paper towel for later. Throw in the hamburger and cook until done. Add 3/4 of the bacon back in,  onion, pepper, garlic, tomatoes, beans, stock and seasonings. Turn the instant pot to the chili setting for 30 minutes. Let this cook and then quick release the steam. Serve this chili over noodles (with the leftover bacon) if you wish and topped with your favorite toppings.

heating up!

Ready to pressure cook!

OMG!

I hope you love it as much as we do!

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Instant Pot Learning 101

Okay it's time we talk about it. You have your instant pot the hot gift of the year and you have no idea what to do with it now right? I have had numerous friends and co-workers ask me for advice on how to not only use the dang thing but what to do. So I thought a post about it was needed. I will admit I never bought a pressure cooker because my mom told me a horror story about one and I was terrified. I have always wanted one though. Let's not be scared let's do this!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's start with the basics:

1. You need to follow the set up instructions in the directions.
2. Once you do all the prep work to make sure you are not missing any items you need to do a test run. This is important to make sure your Instant Pot is not faulty. No one wants it exploding all over the place. Steps below if you need them.

3. Okay you ran the test cycle and now you are like ready right?

Here are all my favorite tips:

• Make sure if you saute anything before pressure cooking you deglaze your pan with some sort of liquid. This prevents the dreaded BURN notice that will come up. The Instant Pot has a sensor that is really picky and if it thinks something is burning it will tell you so and stop building pressure. When this happens to you... it will trust me. Stop your cycle and quick release any pressure you have. Check the bottom to make sure stuff is indeed not burning.
• Also make sure there is enough liquid in the Instant Pot. Pressure cooking occurs when water heats up. If you do not have enough liquid you will have the BURN notice or the pot will not come to pressure. I always make sure to have AT least 1 cup of liquid.
• It takes time to come up to pressure. If a recipe says 10 minute whatever it most likely is not including the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure. Sometimes my pot takes as long as 5-10 minutes to come to pressure. Then the pot will start counting down on your timer. As long as the pot says ON it will be building pressure. See picture.
• There are two types of pressure release.

1. Quick release is what I use the most. When the pot is done cooking it will sing a little song and you can then use a tool or a hot pad to turn the pressure valve from closed (pushed back to the left) to open (pushed to the right). Be CAREFUL when doing this you could burn yourself. I was freaked out to do this the first time because it releases fast and is loud. *sorry cats! I usually use a wood spoon to push it to release. Coming down from pressure times vary but usually about less than 5 minutes and it is safe to open.
2. Natural release is in some recipes. The Instant Pot will sing it's little song and start to just release pressure now. This takes some time but you do not need to do anything at all besides watch for the float valve (silver metal little thing next to the pressure valves) for pressure to depress into the pot. Then it is okay to open.

DISCLAIMER-- do not ever force the pot open if the pressure is still in the pot. This is how accidents happen.

• When the metal float valve is up pressure is in the pot. When it is depressed in the pot no pressure. There is an image of this on the top of the lid.
• The Instant Pot app is awesome and has a ton of recipes. I also like Pinterest for recipes.

What types of things can you make in it?

Chili

I have some recipes on the blog already. Check those out I will be adding more as well. I really love how it has cut down on making things like soup and curry. I used to take up an entire afternoon on a Sunday making soup on the stove for like 3 hours. Now I can do it in half the time. I like making mashed potatoes, whole baby potatoes (so creamy in the inside), chili, soup, spaghetti squash, and I am trying to make ribs tonight!


Potato Soup

Peppers and veggies
 

Curry

I hope this post was helpful to you. Reach out to me if you need help I love helping!

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Tilapia with Puttanesca Sauce

Tasty and satisfying this makes the perfect meal when you want to be healthy and full. I get a lot of people constantly asking me for healthy ideas because I try my best to be a healthy eater. I know a lot of people want to make healthier options in the New Year so here is a recipe straight out of a weight watchers recipe book I love dearly. I do not follow the weight watchers program or any diet for that matter but this book has some excellent recipes I thought I would share this one. This sauce could also be served over pasta that is how it is traditionally served we opted for rice and cauliflower rice mixed together last night. I did modify the recipe a bit. I hope you love it!

What you need:

2 teaspoons of olive oil

1 medium onion (chopped)

1 red bell pepper (diced)

1 (14 ounce can) of diced tomatoes

6-8 Kalamata olives (chopped)

1 tablespoon capers (rinsed)

1 tablespoon garlic (minced)

Pinch of red pepper flakes

4 tilapia fillets *I made 2

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons parsley (chopped)

 

Heating up the onions and peppers.

Cooking down the sauce.

Cooking that fish.

The best book!

 

Start by pre-heating your skillet to low heat ( I actually used my instant pot because I wanted to slow cook the sauce while I was at the gym for an hour). Add oil to the pan to heat and throw in the onion and red peppers. Let this cook for 5 minutes then add the tomatoes, olives, capers and garlic. Season with the red pepper flakes, some salt and pepper. I let this cook for an hour on low in the instant pot on the slow cooker setting. You could cook on the stove top like this as well. Ryan then made rice following the directions and cauliflower rice that was frozen. Heated a little butter in a pan and seasoned the fillets. Cook them on each side about 3-4 minutes on medium heat until cooked through. Layer your rice, then fish then the sauce on top. I forgot to sprinkle the parsley on until I was almost done eating. 

 

When you finally remember to add the fresh herbs on your last bite!

mmm nom nom nom.

 

 

This was really tasty and will make it again!

Until next time~

XoXo Emily  

 



Healthy Mental Health in 2019

I have included an e-mail I sent to my team today. I thought it would be a good reminder to everyone though as it can apply to any of us.

This issue is going to focus on.. mental health. That’s right not a stat or anything but your mental wellbeing. This month is our busiest month we will work all year. It is important to stay mentally strong and focused so that you can do your best work. Some tips to stay at GREAT mental health.

 

·        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get as much sleep as possible.

If you are like me I struggle with this as I have insomnia from time to time. Some tips for good sleep that my mental health doctor recommended to me.

1.   Your bedroom should be for sleeping only. Do not read or watch TV in your room. I mean I do this and it actually really helped me. J

2.   Try to not do caffeine at night if you can. I try not to do caffeine after 5PM.

 

 

·         Take some “me” time.

I know this is hard many of you have children but “me” time can be something little you do for yourself. Some easy ideas.

1.   Treat yourself to something that makes you happy. A cup of tea or coffee from your favorite place once a week.

2.   Take 30 minutes out of your day to do something simple that helps you de-stress. I often walk the dog. This allows me to reflect on my day.

 

·         Exercise.

I am not talking about becoming a professional runner by any means. Even just walking can be helpful.

1.   Personally when I started to exercise at least two times a week I saw a decrease in my stress level.

2.   Exercise can actually help you sleep better too because you are exhausted.

3.   It can also help you have more energy which I know sounds not possible but it does help!  

 

·         Get away from your desk on your breaks.

1.   You need mental breaks from work. Take them! Get up and go walk away for a moment.

2.   Stretch a bit when you are up. I often will do some chair yoga poses to keep my body from freezing up. My chiropractor told me I sit too much at my job and need to stand more. Try to keep moving around as much as you can.

 

·         Stack your desk with healthier snacks.

I am guilty of being a snacker between meals and that’s okay! Try to stack your desk with healthier options so you are not spending $ at the café, the machines or eating crap.

Ideas:

1.   Coconut cashews from aldi are my jam! High in protein and sweet like candy.

2.   Cheddar penguins from aldi. I love salty and I can eat 55 of these for like low calories. (sorta like cheese crackers)

3.   Yogurt. Yep ever morning it helps me focus and not be a grump!

4.   Having healthier options at the ready will make your wallet and your belly happy!

Until next time~
XoXo Emily