Instant Pot Baked Beans

For those who don't know what an Instant Pot is, it is an electric pressure cooker.  I had heard a lot about it and got one for myself and still need to learn other things to make but I tried this recipe from someone and it is a hit!!!  It takes about an hour to make and then it really does best if it is able to sit for a few hours to thicken.

Instant Pot Baked Beans

1 lb. bag Great Northern dry beans
8 strips bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
1/2 lb. salt pork, cut into pieces (try to get leanest possible)
1 lg. yellow onion, chopped
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 1/2 tsp. ground dry mustard
1/8-1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 rounded teaspoon baking soda
4 cups water

1.  Start by soaking the beans in warm water for 2 hours (cover the beans with water, no salt).  Drain and pick out any stones.

2.  In  a large mixing bowl, add the sugars, molasses, mustard, cloves and baking soda.  Whisk together with the water.

3.  Pour beans, onion and salt pork into pot.  Pour the liquid mixture over the beans and stir.  Place crumbled bacon on top and close/lock the lid.

4.  Set the steam release valve to "sealing", press the "manual" button and change the time to 45 minutes.  When time is up, allow natural release for 10 minutes then quick release to open the lid (be careful as the steam will be hot!).  Stir.  Allow the beans to sit for 30 minutes or so to thicken.  The sauce will thicken even further if refrigerated and left overnight.

Meatball and Spinach Stromboli

I found this recipe in a magazine put out by Stop and Shop and we really liked it!  It's a pretty easy dinner to put together and I served it with a big salad.

MEATBALL AND SPINACH STROMBOLI

1/2 of a 16 oz. pkg frozen Italian style meatballs
1 Tbsp. flour
1 (16 oz.) pkg. fresh pizza dough
1 cup pizza sauce
1 (10 oz.) box frozen chopped spinach
4 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. olive oil

1.  Cook the meatballs according to package directions.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Sprinkle the flour on a large piece of parchment paper and roll out the pizza dough to a 10"x14" rectangle.  Transfer the dough with the parchment to a baking sheet and spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough.

2.  Place the thawed spinach in a colander and press with the back of a spoon to remove as much moisture as possible.  Divide the spinach evenly over the dough.  Slice the meatballs and arrange over the spinach.  Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and oregano.

3.  Take the long end of the dough and roll, using the parchment to help, and place seam side down on the baking sheet.  Brush the top of the dough with olive oil.  Cook the stromboli in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes.  Remove the pan from the oven and pour out any excess moisture.  return pan to oven and bake until golden brown and crisp, about 10 minutes.  Serve on a cutting board and slice at the table.

Baked Penne with Sausage and Apple

I have this little scrap of a magazine so I don't know what magazine that I got this from but this turned out really good!  There must have been a picture for me to have cut it out but I didn't have it with the recipe.  It's easy to put together and can even be assembled ahead of time and cooked later with adding a little extra time to bring it to temp.

BAKED PENNE WITH SAUSAGE AND APPLE

1 lb. penne cooked as directed, saving 3/4 cup of pasta water before draining
2 Tbsp. butter
2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
12 oz. kielbasa, cut into coins
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp. honey mustard
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cups shredded Gouda cheese, divided
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Melt butter over medium high heat in a large frying pan.  Add apples, kielbasa and onion.  Cook for about 5 minutes until the onion is softened and lightly golden.  Toss the cooked pasta with the apple mixture, reserved pasta water, honey mustard and salt and pepper.  Fold in 1 cup shredded Gouda cheese and transfer to a greased 3 quart baking dish.  Top with 1 more cup shredded Gouda and the Parmesan cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.  Broil 4 minutes, if desired, to brown top.