Rhubarb-Apple Crisp

This dessert is super easy but so delicious.  I love the combination of sweet apples with tart rhubarb, and the crispy topping is the perfect finish.  You can add nuts to the topping for extra crunch if you like, although I think it's really tasty with just oats.  Leftovers reheat well if you have any...in fact, this is pretty awesome for breakfast!

Rhubarb-Apple Crisp (adapted from Cooking Light)

For the filling:
Cooking spray/oil
12 ounces fresh rhubarb, diced
1-1/4 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and diced
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 T flour
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon

For the topping:
2/3 cup rolled oats
6 T flour
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
5 T unsalted butter, cold, cut into small cubes

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray a 6-cup baking dish with oil (you can also use other dish sizes if that's what you have).
2. Combine all of the filling ingredients in a bowl, and stir to combine.  Transfer to the baking dish.
3. Stir together the oats, flour, and brown sugar (you can use the same bowl).  Add the butter, and rub in with your hands until the mixture begins to hold together when compressed.  Sprinkle over the fruit mixture.
4. Bake 45-55 minutes, until bubbling and tender. Cover loosely with foil if the topping gets brown to quickly.  Cool 15 minutes before serving.

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

We recently bought a new house, and there's a fantastic Mexican grocery store in our new neighborhood.  I found some delicious-looking tomatillos there, and knew I wanted to make a roasted tomatillo salsa.  A roommate of mine from grad school had made this type of salsa, and after looking at a bunch of different recipes online, I think I figured out a pretty good approximation! The recipe is super easy -- roast all the veggies, and then puree with either a blender or stick blender.  It keeps well in the fridge, and is so tasty -- I could eat it with a spoon!  This version is mild, but you can either use a hotter chile or add more jalapenos if you prefer a spicy salsa.

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

16-24 ounces fresh tomatillos, husks removed, rinsed well
1 jalapeno pepper
1/2 large white onion, cut into large wedges
Olive oil
Salt
Juice of 1 lime
Handful of fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.  Toss the tomatillos, jalapeno, and onion with olive oil, and arrange in a single layer.  Sprinkle with a little salt.
2. Roast the veggies for 14-15 minutes, turning them once about halfway through.
3. Let cool slightly.  Remove the stem/seeds from the jalapeno and the cores from the tomatillos.  Add all the veggies to a blender or tall bowl (to use with a stick blender).  Tip in a little olive oil, along with the lime juice and cilantro.  Process until the salsa is as chunky as you like it.

Peanut-Chocolate Chunk Shortbread

I made these cookies for a recent potluck, and they were a big hit! People could hardly believe they were peanut cookies -- I think because peanut butter cookies are so much more common, and starting with whole peanuts really creates a different texture.  Although the dough for these cookies comes together quickly in the food processor, slicing and shaping them was pretty fussy -- the dough crumbles very easily and I often had to sort of push everything back together on the baking sheet.  That said, once the cookies were baked and cooled, they stood up well and had a lovely shortbread-type texture and delicate flavor.  

Peanut-Chocolate Chunk Shortbread (adapted from Alice Medrich's Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts)

1 heaping cup lightly salted peaunts
1 slightly rounded cup all purpose flour
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 stick (8 T) unsalted butter, cut into chunks and softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate chunks

1. Place the nuts, flour, and sugar in a food processor, and process until the nuts are just ground.  Add the butter and vanilla, and process until the mixture forms a dough.  Add the chocolate chunks, and process until just incorporated.
2. Shape the dough into a log, wrap in parchment or wax paper, and chill overnight.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment or foil.
4. Remove the dough log from the fridge, and let sit about 10 minutes to soften slightly.  Slice into 1/4-inch thick slices and arrange on the baking sheets.  I found the dough was really crumbly, but when this happened, I just sort of pushed the dough back together and it baked up fine!  Bake 12-14 minutes, rotating halfway through.  The cookies will be lightly browned on the bottoms.
5. Let the cookies rest on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool.

Cheddar-Bacon Biscuits and Citrus-Kale Salad with Roasted Salmon

This biscuit recipe is so good I've made it three times in the past couple of months!  It's nice because it's super flexible -- I've used various types of dairy, and a whole range of different mix-ins.  If you don't have a full cup of milk, you can add some sour cream or plain yogurt to supplement.  The cheddar-bacon combo pictured below is fantastic, and I've also made a version with cornmeal, dried cherries, and pecans that is amazing with peach jam.  Best of all, the biscuit recipe is easy to pull together, even on a weeknight.

Make it a full meal with kale salad and roasted salmon.  These dishes are both simple but flavorful, and a nice lighter complement to the richer biscuits.  I especially loved the citrus dressing on the kale salad, with both lemon and orange juice plus Dijon mustard.  Yum!

All-Purpose Fancy Biscuits, with Cheddar-Bacon variation (adapted from Food Network Magazine)

Makes 9 biscuits (or cut into smaller pieces for more biscuits)

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.  Spray with oil.

Whisk together:

2-1/2 cups flour (sub up to 1 cup with whole wheat or 1/2 cup with cornmeal)

2 T baking powdr

1 T sugar

1-1/2 tsp kosher salt

Cut 1 stick unsalted butter into small cubes, and cut into the flour using two knives.  If you have some large pieces, you can blend them in with your fingers.  

Add up to 1 cup mix-ins -- I used shredded cheddar cheese and diced bacon, but there are many options:

Grated cheese (cheddar, jack, havarti, Parmesan, etc.)

Crumbled bacon

Fresh herbs (scallions, chives, parsley, thyme, sage, etc.)

Pitted and chopped olives

Chopped nuts 

Dried fruit (chopped if large)

Seeds (poppy, sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, etc.)

Drained and chopped picked hot peppers

Drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes

Up to 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (or another vegetable puree)

Citrus zest (lemon, orange, lime, etc.)

Add 1 cup buttermilk or whole milk, and stir until the dough just comes together.  Pat into a rectangle, about 3/4-inch thick, and then fold in half and pat out again to the same size.  Cut into rectangles (or use a biscuit cutter to create other shapes. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet, and bake 12-15 minutes, until well-browned.

All-Purpose Citrus Dressing (adapted from Cooking Light)

2 T olive oil

1 T lemon juice

1 T orange juice

2 tsp Dijon mustard (creamy or country-style both work)

1 small clove minced garlic (optional)

Season with salt and pepper

Whisk everything together, taste, and adjust seasoning (I added a bit more lemon juice).

Citrus-Kale Salad with Roasted Salmon (adapted from Cooking Light)

Easily adaptable to any number of servings -- one bunch of kale will serve 2-3 people

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.  Rub fresh salmon with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.  Roast about 15 minutes, until it flakes easily.

Shred raw kale, and wash well.  Place in a large serving bowl and drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt.  Massage for a minute or two until the kale starts to break down.  Add halved red grapes, orange sections, and crumbled goat cheese.  Dress with All-Purpose Citrus Dressing (see above).  Toss, and serve topped with roasted salmon.

Asiago Polenta with Swiss Chard and Cherry Tomatoes

I love polenta -- it's one of my favorite comfort foods.  Here, it's paired with Asiago cheese, sauteed Swiss chard, and sweet leeks, making a fresh and tasty light meal.  Cherry tomatoes sprinkled on top add a great hit of acidity to the dish.  For more protein, add a fried or poached egg on top.  (I'm currently pregnant and can't stand the sight of eggs, but someday I'm sure I'll like them again!)

Asiago Polenta with Swiss Chard and Cherry Tomatoes (adapted from Honest Cooking)
Serves 4

4 cups water (more as needed)
1 cup polenta
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese, plus more to serve
1 T butter
1 T olive oil
1 large leek, white and green parts only, chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 bunch Swiss chard, trimmed, stems removed, and thinly sliced
1/2 tsp Aleppo chile
Halved cherry tomatoes

1. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a large pot.  Season with a generous pinch of salt.  Gradually stir in the polenta, whisking quickly to avoid lumps.  Turn down the heat, continuing to stir.  When the water is completely absorbed, add more water, a half a cup at a time -- at least 4 cups, but you may need more to get the consistency you want.
2. Cook the polenta for about 30 minutes, while you prepare and cook the rest of the recipe.  Whisk briskly occasionally, and add water as needed to keep the mixture loose.
3. In a large skillet, melt the butter and olive oil together and add the leeks.  Season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until softened and starting to brown, 10-15 minutes.
4. Add the garlic to the keeps and cook a minute or two.  Add the chard and Aleppo chile, and cook, stirring, just until the chard is wilted.  Taste and season with more salt as needed.
5. Turn the heat off the polenta, add the grated cheese to the polenta, and whisk to melt.  Taste and add more salt and pepper as desired.
6. To serve, add a generous scoop of polenta to a bowl.  Top with greens, cherry tomatoes, and more grated Asiago cheese.  You can also add an egg for protein.

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef-Stuffed Potatoes

I have a hard time with slow cooker recipes, because I never want to be dealing with meal prep in the morning, before work.  But, this one is actually easy enough that I was successful!  I prepared the spice rub, sliced the onion, and washed the potatoes the night before, so in the morning I just had to rub the spices onto the beef, wrap the potatoes in foil, and stick everything in the slow cooker.  The results were really yummy, combing flavorful beef with hearty potatoes.  I couldn't find the mini russet potatoes called for in the original recipe (4 ounces is tiny!) so had to use a more normal size -- they cooked most of the way through, but weren't 100% tender after the cooking time, so I had to add a couple of minutes in the microwave before serving.  But, the beef was perfectly cooked, so I wouldn't necessarily add more time to the slow cooking, and I didn't find this step too annoying.  Overall, definitely a winner!

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef-Stuffed Potatoes (adapted from Cooking Light)

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

3 T tomato paste

2 T Worcestershire sauce

1 T chili powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

2 pounds boneless beef chuck or short ribs

Spray oil

1 large red onion, peeled and cut into thick slices

Olive oil

6 small russet potatoes (4 ounces each) or 3 or 4 larger russet potatoes

To serve: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, favorite barbecue sauce, scallions, etc.

1. Combine the brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.  Rub all over the beef.

2. Spray the slow cooker insert with oil, and add the sliced red onion.  Top with the beef.

3. Rub the potatoes with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.  Wrap in parchment or foil, and place on top of the beef.

4. Cook on low for 8 hours, until tender.  If you used larger potatoes, they might need a couple more minutes in the microwave to cook through (obviously remove the foil first in this case!)

5. To serve, split the potatoes.  Shred the beef using two forks.  Top each potato with the beef-onion mixture and any other toppings you like.

Homemade Watermelon Soda Float

I love watermelon drinks, and this one is kind of the ultimate in awesome watermelon drinks.  It starts with a super pink watermelon puree, sweetened with simple syrup.  Then add seltzer to make homemade watermelon soda -- a perfectly delicious drink on its own.  But to really take it over the top, vanilla ice cream turns the soda into a float.  It's a great summer dessert -- pretty, sweet, and so delicious.  Although I made this with vanilla ice cream, I bet lime sherbet would be really tasty too.

Homemade Watermelon Soda Float (adapted from Bon Appetit)

Makes enough for a group, depending on how large you make them

For the watermelon concentrate:

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1 small seedless watermelon

1 T lime juice

To finish:

Seltzer 

Vanilla ice cream

1. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.  Seal and shake.  Shake periodically as you work on the rest of the recipe until the sugar is completely dissolved.  (Note: You can substitute store-bought simple syrup here if you prefer.)

2. Cut up the watermelon into cubes.  You should have around 8 cups, but you can pretty much eyeball it.  Puree using a hand blender, regular blender, food processor - whatever you have handy.  Strain through a fine-mesh strainer.  You should have around 4 cups of juice, but again, it doesn't have to be exact.

3. Add the lime juice and about half the simple syrup.  Taste, and add more lime juice or syrup to taste -- you want the concentrate to be pretty sweet and intensely flavored.

4. Chill the watermelon concentrate.  When you're ready to serve, fill glasses a little more than half full.  Top off with seltzer and scoops of vanilla ice cream.  Serve right away!

Double-Pumpkin Fettuccine

I wouldn't normally think to make a weeknight pasta recipe with two homemade sauces, but this dish is so delicious that it is more than worth it.  Plus, both sauces are super easy to prepare -- they're basically just dump and mix.  The first one is a pumpkin cream sauce flavored with Parmesan and lemon zest.  Everything just gets mixed together and then simmered a few minutes to melt the cheese and cook the egg.  The richness of the cream sauce is cut with a pepper-y, garlic-y pumpkin seed pesto made with arugula in place of basil.  You could easily substitute another green such as spinach, kale, or leafy herbs.  The two sauces are amazing together, and they pack lots of veggies into a pasta dish.  Yum!

Fair warning: the cream sauce loses some of its creaminess and doesn't look as appetizing in leftovers the next day, but it is still really tasty.

Double-Pumpkin Fettuccine (adapted from Feeding the Family)

Serves at least 4, leftovers aren't as pretty but still taste good

1 pound fettuccine

For the pumpkin cream sauce:

3-5 ounces grated Parmesan cheese

2/3 cup canned pumpkin (look for 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix!)

3 T heavy cream

3 T olive oil

1 large egg

Zest of 1 lemon

Salt and pepper

For the pumpkin seed pesto:

1-1/2 cups arugula

1 cup pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup olive oil

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

1 garlic clove

1/2 tsp salt

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, but stopping about 1 minute short of the final cooking time since the pasta will cook a minute longer in the sauce.  Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.  Drain and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, whisk all the cream sauce ingredients together in a bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper.  When the pasta is done cooking, whisk in the pasta water.  Return to to the pot used to cook the pasta, and place over medium heat.  Stirring constantly, bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes.  Return the pasta to the pot, and cook for another minute, stirring, until the pasta is al dente.

3. Combine all the pesto ingredients in a food processor, and pulse until the mixture is the texture you like.  This is a little stiffer than some other pestos, so you can add more olive oil if you prefer a looser sauce.

4. Top each portion of pasta with a spoonful of pesto.  Yum!

Wild Rice-Baby Kale Salad with Roasted Shallot Dressing

I recently picked up a copy of Mighty Salads from the library and was really impressed with the variety of different recipes!  This particular salad really caught my eye and it turned out to be delicious!  The base of the salad is kale (we picked up a bag of baby kale from Trader Joes), and the hearty greens stand up well to a variety of toppings -- roasted sweet potatoes, toothsome wild rice, salty cheese, and tart green apples.  The only part of this salad I didn't love was the roasted tofu -- it's definitely the most work/time investment, and I didn't feel like the flavor and texture was that amazing.  I ate my leftovers the next day with avocado subbing in for the tofu and preferred that version; rotisserie chicken would also be tasty if you're not vegetarian.  

The absolute best part of this salad was the dressing.  It's got all the usual things I put in a quick homemade dressing -- Dijon, vinegar, olive oil, honey -- but with one big extra.  A large shallot is roasted in a foil packet alongside the sweet potatoes, and then blended into the other ingredients.  This makes the dressing wonderfully creamy with no dairy, and just amps up the flavor.  I only wish it had made more! Next time I will definitely double this dressing -- so good.

Wild Rice-Baby Kale Salad with Roasted Shallot Dressing (adapted from Mighty Salads)

Serves 4

For the tofu: 

(Alternately, substitute cubed avocado or rotisserie chicken for the tofu)

14-ounce package extra-firm tofu

1 cup balsamic vinegar

1 T Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp honey

Olive oil

For the dressing:

(I recommend doubling these amounts)

1 large shallot, trimmed and thinly sliced

2 T balsamic vinegar

2 tsp lemon juice

1/4 tsp honey (to taste)

1/4 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper

For the salad:

1 pound sweet potatoes (2 smaller or 1 larger), peeled and cut into 3/4 inch cubes

Olive oil, salt, and pepper

3/4 cup wild rice

4-5 ounces baby kale, or a small bunch of lacinato kale, stemmed and cut into thin ribbons

1 small green apple, cubed

3 ounces aged cheddar, cut into small cubes

1. If making the tofu, wrap in paper towels, place on a plate, and top with something heavy.  Allow to drain for 30 minutes or so.  Discard the paper towels, cut into 3/4-inch cubes, and place in a shalow dish.

2. Whisk together the vinegar, Dijon, and honey, and pour over the tofu cubes.  Marinate 30 minutes to 1 hour.  Drain and discard the marinade.

3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line 2 medium or 1 large baking sheet with foil.  Spray with oil.

4. Arrange the tofu in 1 layer and brush with olive oil. 

5. Place the thinly sliced shallot on a square of aluminum foil, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with a little salt.  Fold up to make a packet.

6. Toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Arrange in a single layer either next to the tofu or on a separate sheet.  Tuck the shallot packet in a corner and roast for 35-40 minutes, rotating the baking sheet(s) halfway through.

7. Meanwhile, cook the wild rice according to package directions.

8. When the shallots are cooked, place in a blender with all the other dressing ingredients and blend until smooth.  You can also use an immersion blender.  

9. Assemble the salad -- toss some kale with the dressing, and top with the wild rice, sweet potato, cheddar, apple, and tofu.  Drizzle more dressing on top.  Yum!  

10. If packing leftovers for lunch, keep the cheese and dressing in a separate container until ready to eat.

Fresh Veggie Noodle Salad

This is the perfect summer meal -- fresh, light, and packed with different textures.  I used carrots, cucumber, and avocado in my salad, but you can really use any vegetable that's good raw -- snow peas or thinly sliced cabbage or kale would be great too.  What brings this salad from good to great is a healthy handful of fresh herbs -- again, a mix is ideal, but you can choose your favorites or select what looks freshest at the store.  Don't skip peanuts on top -- they add great crunch.  If you'd like more protein, some shredded rotisserie chicken on top is a great addition.

Fresh Veggie Noodle Salad (adapted from the Kitchn)
Serves 2-3

For the dressing:
3 T olive oil
2 T soy sauce
2 T lime juice
2 tsp honey
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp sambal oelek or Asian chile-garlic paste
1 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger

For the salad:
4 ounces rice noodles, prepared according to package instructions and rinsed under cold water
1 large carrot, peeled
1 medium cucumber, peeled
1 avocado
A handful of mixed fresh herbs, roughly chopped (I used Thai basil, mint, and a scallion)
1/2 cup salted peanuts, roughly chopped

Make the vinaigrette: Combine all the ingredients in a jar and shake until well combined.

Make the salad: Cook or soak the noodles according to package instructions, then drain and rinse under cold water until fully chilled.  Place in a large bowl and set aside.

Create long ribbons of carrot using a vegetable peeler, or grate.  Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and thinly slice.  Cube the avocado.  Add the vegetables to the noodles, along with all the fresh herbs, and toss to combine.

Add about half the dressing and toss to combine.  Taste, and add more dressing as desired.  Serve topped with chopped peanuts and more dressing.

Watermelon Agua Fresca

This drink is super bright and fresh -- it just screams summer!  Make sure to choose a good, flavorful melon, because it's such a simple drink.  Fresh watermelon juice is dressed up with a little sugar and lime juice, but otherwise it's just watermelon all the way -- so refreshing!  Technically you can skip the strainer if you don't have one, but personally I prefer a smoother drink.  This keeps well in the fridge for a day or two if you'd like to make it ahead.  You can also add a little tequila or vodka if you want to serve it as a cocktail.

Watermelon Agua Fresca (adapted from the New York Times)

4 cups cubed watermelon

1-1/2 cups water

1 T freshly squeezed lime juice

1 T sugar

Mint leaves, to garnish (optional)

Combine the watermelon, water, lime juice, and sugar in a blender and blend until very smooth.  Pass through a fine mesh strainer.  Taste and add more water or sugar if you like.  Pour over ice and garnish with mint.

BBQ Chicken Salad Bowls

This is another recipe that uses the Instant Pot to good effect, although you can certainly prepare it without one (see the instructions linked below).  This salad would also be a great use for any leftover BBQ meat you have on hand.  The BBQ chicken is livened up with fresh, crunchy kale, bell pepper, and sweet corn.   This is a great way to enjoy barbecue that's a bit lighter and fresher.  Although the recipe calls for buttermilk ranch dressing, and I think that's a great combination, it doesn't happen to be my favorite -- if you're like me, a mild blue cheese dressing or another creamy dressing (or even just oil and vinegar) works just as well.

BBQ Chicken Salad Bowls (adapted from The Kitchn)

Serves 4

For the chicken:

Olive oil

1/2 onion, minced

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tsp smoked paprika

Generous pinch of salt

1 cup BBQ sauce, plus more to finish (optional)

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

For the salad:

2 ears of corn

1/2 T unsalted butter

Salt

1 large bunch of kale, trimmed and thinly sliced

Olive oil

3 carrots, peeled and shredded

1/2 bell pepper, trimmed and thinly sliced

Buttermilk ranch dressing (homemade or strore-bought)

1. To prepare the chicken in the Instant Pot, heat a generous drizzle of olive oil using the "Saute" function.  Add the onion and garlic, and saute for several minutes, until well softened and starting to brown . Add the smoked paprika and salt and stir to combine.  Turn off the Instant Pot, add the BBQ sauce, and stir well to combine.  Add the chicken thighs, stir until the sauce coats them, and arrange in a single layer. Seal the lid, and press the "Poultry" button.  Alternately, follow these directions from the Kitchn to prepare the chicken in the oven.

2. Remove the skin and bones from the chicken, and shred into bite-sized pieces.  Add more sauce as desired.  

3. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the rest of the salad ingredients.  Shuck the corn and cut it off the cob.  Melt the butter in a small saucepan, and then add the fresh corn and cook for just a few minutes, until tender.  Season with a bit of salt.

4. Place the shredded kale in a large bowl, and drizzle with olive oil.  Add a generous pinch of salt, and then massage until tender and reduced in size (a minute or two).  In a separate bowl, toss together the carrots and bell pepper.

5. To assemble the bowls, start with a base layer of kale.  Top with the carrot-pepper mixture, and then drizzle with buttermilk ranch dressing.  Add corn and shredded chicken to finish the bowl.

Lentil-Vegetable Soup

This soup is sort of like half vegetable soup (carrots, sweet potatoes, and kale), and half lentil soup (with both red lentils and brown or green lentils).  The brown lentils keep their shape better when cooked, while the red lentils almost dissolve in the soup and give it a creamier texture.  Overall, the soup is warm and comforting - perfect for a chilly evening.  I used a really tasty spice blend from Penzey's that has both lemon and orange peel, and smells amazing.  But, you can use any favorite spice/herb blend -- I think curry would be pretty fantastic too.  The original recipe calls for pureeing part of the soup for a creamier texture -- I skipped this, and still thought the soup was excellent, but you can add this step if you prefer a smoother soup.  Definitely don't skip the lemon juice at the end -- it brightens things up and really brings the flavors together.

Lentil-Vegetable Soup (adapted from Sprouted Kitchen, original recipe here)

2 T vegetable oil
1/2 yellow onion, minced
2 medium carrots, peeled and minced
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and minced
2 stalks celery, minced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 tsp Mural of Flavor spice mix (or any other favorite spice blend)
1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper
1/2 tsp salt (or more to taste)
5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup brown or green lentils
1/2 cup red lentils
3 cups chopped kale leaves
Juice of 1 lemon

To serve: grated Parmesan and crusty bread

1. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.  Add the onion, carrots, sweet potato, celery, and garlic, and stir to combine.  Cook for 6-8 minutes, until softened.  Add the spice mix, Aleppo pepper, and salt, and stir to combine.
2. Stir in the chicken broth and lentils.  Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer.  Simmer for about half an hour, or until everything is tender.  Turn off the heat, and stir in the kale and lemon juice.  Taste and adjust seasoning.
3. Serve topped with grated cheese and crusty bread.

Buffalo Mac and Cheese

The Kitchen is probably my favorite Food Network show, and a while back they made Buffalo chicken mac and cheese.  It looked amazing, so I adapted my usual mac and cheese recipe to include all the flavors -- blue cheese, Buffalo sauce, rotisserie chicken, and panko on top for crunch.  The sauce is super creamy and just a little spicy.  Totally addictive!

Buffalo Mac and Cheese (inspired by Food Network's The Kitchen)
Serves 4

12 ounces dried pasta
2 cups whole milk
1/3 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup crumbled blue cheese, divided
1/4 cup Buffalo sauce
2 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt, to taste
2 cups shredded chicken (from a rotisserie chicken)
1/2 cup panko

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Put on a big pot of water to boil. When the water boils, add some salt along with the dried pasta, and cook until the pasta is al dente. Drain and keep ready until the cheese sauce is done. (You can cook the pasta while you prepare the sauce to save time)
3. Heat the milk in the microwave until it is hot but not boiling.
4. Heat a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter in the skillet, and then add the flour and whisk constantly until the mixture turns light brown, about 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk, using a silicone-coated whisk to protect the coating on the pan.  When the milk is incorporated and the mixture is smooth, cook for another 30 seconds or so.  The sauce should be thick and just bubbling.  Remove from the heat.
5. Stir in the grated Monterey Jack cheese, half the blue cheese, Buffalo sauce, and mustard.  Taste, and add a little salt if necessary.  Stir over low heat until everything is melted.
6. Add the pasta, shredded chicken, and reserved blue cheese to the sauce, and stir until combined.
7. Scrape the pasta into a 9x13 baking dish.  Sprinkle with the panko.  Pop in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the panko is lightly browned.

Carbonara with Crispy Prosciutto

Carbonara is one of my husband's favorite pasta dishes, and since we had extra prosciutto and Parmesan after our recent Italian breakfast, it made for a perfect easy dinner.  Although prosciutto isn't the most common pork product you see in carbonara recipes, it ended up working really well -- the flavor is amazing and it got nicely crisp in a little hot oil on the stove top.  The key to a creamy sauce (instead of scrambled eggs) is just to work quickly as you toss the hot noodles into the raw egg-and-cheese sauce.  Make sure to save some of the cooking water from the pasta -- you can add it a little at a time if the pasta looks too dry. 

Carbonara with Crispy Prosciutto

12 ounces spaghetti or another long, thin pasta

1-2 T olive oil

3 ounces or so thinly sliced prosciutto, sliced into thin ribbons

A handful of frozen peas, thawed

3 egg yolks

1 whole egg

1 cup (or so) finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Lots of freshly ground black pepper

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season with a little salt.  When it boils, add the pasta and cook until al dente.  Reserve a cup of the pasta water before draining.

While the pasta water boils, heat the olive oil in a skillet until shimmering.  Add the prosciutto and cook, stirring often, until it starts to get a little crispy.  Add the peas, stir to combine, and keep warm on very low heat.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, whole egg, Parmigiano Reggiano, and pepper.  

Drain the pasta, and immediately transfer it to the bowl with the egg-cheese mixture.  Working quickly, toss everything together with tongs.  Add some of the reserved pasta water as needed to make a creamy sauce.  Stir in the prosciutto-pea mixture, taste, and adjust for seasoning.  Serve hot.

Italian Breakfast and Pizza

Last year this time we were in Italy, so we decided to recreate the wonderful breakfasts we enjoyed there: chocolate and almond croissants from Trader Joe's (surprisingly good!), Prosciutto di Parma, soppressata, Parmigiano Reggiano, buffalo mozzarella, bread, jam, fruit, and espresso.  Glorious!  Definitely a splurge, but so worth it.

Because I bought far too much meat and cheese, we had plenty of leftovers.  We used some of them on the pizza below, which has homemade basil-pecan pesto, buffalo mozzarella, and soppressata as toppings -- so good!

Basil-Pecan Pesto

1/2 cup pecans
1 large garlic clove, peeled and crushed
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup tightly packed fresh basil
1/4 cup + 2 T extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Pinch of salt (more to taste)

1. Place the nuts and garlic in a food processor or mini chopper, and process until they just start to break down.  Add the cheese and pulse another few times.
2. Add the basil and pulse a few times.  Then add the oil, lemon juice, and salt, and pulse until the pesto is as chunky/smooth as you like it.  Taste and add more of anything to make things taste perfect!

Mix-In Muffins

This is a really fun recipe because you get a bunch of flavors of muffin out of one recipe.  The muffins are also made for freezing, so you can stash a big bag in your freezer and thaw just a few at a time when you're ready for them.  Alternately, they'd be fun to make for a potluck or brunch party since everyone can have their favorite flavor.  I made chocolate chunk, cranberry + lemon zest, blueberry, and jam + coconut flakes, but really the sky is the limit!

Mix-In Muffins (adapted from Not Your Mother's Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookbook)
Makes 1-1/2 to 2 dozen muffins (depending on size)

2 cups white whole wheat flour
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Your choice of mix-ins such as blueberries, cranberries, chocolate chips, jam, dried fruit, coconut flakes, cinnamon chips, raspberries, etc.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line two muffin tins with paper liners.
2. Whisk together the whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, yogurt, eggs, and vanilla.  Pour into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined -- be careful not to overmix.
4. If you'd like to make just one kind of muffin, add about 1-1/2 cups total of your chosen mix-ins.  Otherwise, divide the batter in half.  Fill the muffin tins about halfway full, and then add in a few berries, chocolate chips, or other mix-ins, or a small spoonful of jam.  Then top with the remaining batter, and add a few more of your mix-ins on top, either keeping the muffins consistent or topping them with something different...your choice! I made blueberry muffins, chocolate chip muffins, cranberry muffins, and jam-filled muffins topped with coconut flakes.
5. Enjoy warm! Or, when the muffins are fully cooled, stash them in the freezer for quick and easy breakfasts.  Place in a single layer on a baking sheet, and freeze until just hard.  Then pack in gallon-sized freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing the bag.  Thaw at room temperature overnight when ready to eat.

Pisco Sour

This cocktail takes me right back to San Francisco, where pisco is much easier to find.  The frothy egg white foam on top really makes it unique, along with pisco, a type of Peruvian brandy.  The drink is tasty with either lemon or lime juice to add tartness.

Pisco Sour (adapted from Serious Eats)
Makes 1 cocktail

1/4 cup pisco (add up to 2 T more if you like a stronger cocktail)
2 T lemon or lime juice
1-1/2 T simple syrup
1 fresh egg white
Dash of Amaro bitters

Combine the pisco, lemon or lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker -- do not add ice.  Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds, until the egg white is foamy.  Add ice, and shake again until well chilled.  Strain into a cocktail glass and top with a dash of the bitters.

Kale-Brussels Sprout Salad

Raw Brussels sprouts make for a surprisingly delicious, hearty salad along with massaged kale.  The most common way I've made Brussels sprouts is roasted, usually with bacon (yum!), and while of course that's fantastic, this lighter, fresher version of sprouts is very tasty too.  Don't skip the grated Parmesan -- and lot of it -- because all these veggies need some richness to really make them sing.

Kale-Brussels Sprout Salad (adapted from Bon Appetit, via the Balanced Life)

Serves two hungry people or 4-6 smaller side servings 

1 small bunch kale, trimmed and very thinly sliced

Olive oil

Salt

1/3 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and very thinly sliced

Grated Parmesan cheese

For the dressing:

2 T olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 T red wine vinegar
1 tsp honey

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 small garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper

Add the kale to your salad bowl.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with a bit of sauce. Massage with your hands for a few minutes, until the kale starts to break down.  Add the Brussels sprouts and lots of grated Parmesan cheese.

Combine the dressing ingredients in a jam jar, screw on the lid, and shake well. Add about half the dressing to the salad, toss, and add more as needed.  Let sit for about 15 minutes before serving to let the flavor a combine.

Best-Ever Patty Melt

Patty melts are one of my favorite diner foods, and as it turns out, they're pretty darn good made at home too (although they take quite a bit longer on account of the caramelized onions!).  I'd suggest caramelizing the onions in a big batch and freezing the extra, because they're a pain to make but so delicious.  You can definitely make them ahead and then the rest of the recipe comes together easily.  In order to imitate the heat of a diner flat-top, the burgers are broiled, first on their own to cook the meat, and then with the onions and Swiss cheese to get the cheese all bubbly.  Then the burgers are sandwiched between slices of rye bread, buttered, and cooked similar to a grilled cheese sandwich. The result is an ultra-decadent sandwich - so good!

Best-Ever Patty Melt

Serves 4

Butter

2 medium or 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

Salt and pepper

1 to 1-1/2 pounds ground beef (depending on how large you'd like your burgers)

Thinly sliced Swiss cheese

8 slices rye bread

Ketchup, mayo, and/or other burger fixings

1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.  Melt a tablespoon or two of butter, and then add the onions.  Slowly caramelize the onions until they are deeply browned.  Add more butter as needed, and turn the heat down and stir more often as the process progresses -- it should take at least 40-45 minutes, so this is a good task to do while you're working on something else in the kitchen.  Season lightly with salt, and then use immediately or store for when you're ready to make the burgers.

2. Preheat the broiler to high.  Line a baking sheet (or your broiler pan) with foil.  

3. Season the beef with salt and pepper, and divide into four portions.  Gently press each portion into a thin, oval-shaped patty (basically, as thin as you can get it while still holding together).  Arrange on the baking sheet.

4. Broil the burgers for 3 minutes, then flip.  Divide the onions among the burgers, and top with Swiss cheese.  Broil for another minute or so, until the cheese is bubble.

5. Butter each slice of bread on one side, and sandwich the burgers between the bread so the buttered sides are on the outside.

6. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the burgers (working in batches if necessary), and cook as you would a grilled cheese sandwich (i.e. on both sides until browned and crispy).  Top with whatever burger fixings you prefer, and serve hot.

Instant Pot Chicken Chili

As I've written about on this blog before, the Instant Pot is one of my absolute favorite kitchen tools.  I often use it for preparing individual ingredients (like rice, potatoes, and large cuts of meat), but it's also great for more complicated recipes like this one.  You can brown chicken, saute veggies, and cook the chili all in the same pot, meaning you also won't end up with a lot of dishes.  You can switch up the type of bean or spices as you like, but overall this is just a tasty, easy chili.  If your beans are a little on the older side, you might add a bit more time to the cooking.

Instant Pot Chicken Chili (adapted from Hip Pressure Cooking, original recipe here)
Makes lots!

2 cups dry kidney beans
Olive oil
1-1/2 to 2 pounds boneless chicken pieces, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 medium onion, minced
1 bell pepper, minced
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp dried thyme
2 T tomato paste
15-ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained
2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp ground cumin
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve: sour cream, shredded cheese, minced herbs, or whatever else you like!

1. Soak the beans for several hours or overnight.  Drain and rinse before using.
2. Heat the Instant Pot on "Saute".  When hot, add a generous drizzle of olive oil and brown the chicken pieces on a couple of sides, working in batches if needed.  Transfer to a dish and set aside.
3. Add more oil if needed, and add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Saute a few minutes until softened.
4. Add the cumin and saute for another 30 seconds.
5. Stir in the browned chicken and soaked beans, along with the thyme, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth.
6. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.  Let the pressure release naturally, or quick release the pressure.  Stir in the cumin, then taste and add salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer for 5 minutes or so to thicken.
7. Ladle into bowls and serve with whatever toppings you like.

Slow-Cooked Fennel Salmon

I would never have thought to cook salmon at a low temperature for 40 minutes, but it actually works really well and leads to meltingly tender salmon.  Although the time is longer than a typical fish recipe, it's completely hands off so it's not a lot of work.  I am semi-obsessed with the sweet, licorice-like flavor of fennel, and here it gets used three ways-- fennel seeds and fronds on top of the salmon, and the bulb thinly sliced and cooked under the salmon.  You could also use the fennel bulb raw and tossed with a simple vinaigrette on the side, as a salad, if you prefer.

Slow-Cooked Fennel Salmon (adapted from the Bon Appetit Food Lover's Cleanse)

Servings vary based on how much salmon you cook

1 to 1-1/2 pounds salmon in one piece, with skin on

Salt and pepper

1 tsp fennel seeds (or another preferred herb or spice)

Minced fennel fronds (or another fresh herb)

Olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with oil.

2. Season the salmon with salt and pepper and place skin-down on the baking sheet.  Sprinkle the fennel seeds on top, along with the fennel fronds.  Drizzle with a bit of olive oil.

3. Cook 30-40 minutes, until the salmon flakes when gently pressed.  Or, if cooking individually-sized fillets, they should take about 25 minutes.  

4. Peel the skin off the salmon and break into large chunks to serve.

Boston Beer-Steamed Mussels

This simple mussel recipe was the first one I made, and it's the one I make most often, but sometimes it's fun to change it up a bit.  This version uses beer in place of wine as the main liquid, which completely changes the flavors.  Even though I'm not a beer lover, I really like it in this dish -- it adds a nice bitterness.  Instead of the usual crusty bread, we served roasted potatoes for dipping, which turned out to be a fantastic idea.  Of course, if you want something quicker to prepare, you can always go for the usual baguette!

Boston Beer-Steamed Mussels (adapted from Sam Adams)
Serves 2-3 as a main dish with roasted potatoes

2 pounds mussels
2 T butter
1 T olive oil
1 leek, thinly sliced
1 tsp minced garlic
Salt
1 cup Sam Adams Boston Ale
A handful of fresh parsley, minced
Roasted Yukon Gold potatoes, to serve

1. Clean and debeard the mussels.
2. Melt the butter and oil together in a large pot with a lid over medium heat. Add the leek, garlic, and a generous pinch of salt.  Cook for a few minutes, until the leeks are softened.
3. Add the ale and bring to a boil.  Add the mussels, give everything a quick stir, and cover.
4. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook 6 minutes.  Remove from the heat, sprinkle with parsley, and give the mussels a quick stir.  Serve with roasted potatoes for dipping in the sauce.

Instant Pot Red Curry Pork Soup

This curry has a thinner sauce than many and is very tasty all on its own as a soup.   Of course, you can serve it over rice if you prefer, but the sweet potatoes add enough of a "carb" element that it isn't really necessary.  The broth is a tasty mixture of coconut milk, red curry, and pork broth. In the broth is a combination of rich, tender pork; creamy sweet potatoes; and bright, crisp-tender green beans.   Of course, you can substitute other veggies if you have something else on hand that you prefer.  Lime juice and cilantro as garnishes make everything taste extra fresh.

Instant Pot Red Curry Pork Soup (adapted from Bon Appetit's Food Lover's Cleanse)

Vegetable oil

2 to 2-1/2 pounds bone-in country style pork ribs or 1 pound boneless pork shoulder cut into cubes

6 cups chicken broth

1 onion, chopped

Salt

1-1/2 T red curry paste

3/4 cup coconut milk (shake well before measuring)

1/2 tsp kaffir lime powder (optional)

1 pound sweet potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes

4 ounces green beans, sliced into 2-inch pieces

Cilantro and lime, to garnish

1. Heat the Instant Pot to sauté and add the oil. When it gets hot, add the pork and brown well, working in batches.

2. Add all the pork back into the pot and add the chicken broth. Cook on manual for 25 minutes at high pressure. Let the pressure come down naturally for 15 minutes, and then release remaining pressure.

3. Remove the pork to a plate at let cool slightly. Then remove the meat from the bones and shred.

4. Meanwhile, measure out 2-1/2 cups of the cooking liquid and set aside.

5. In a separate pot, brown the onions in a little oil over medium-high heat, about 10 minutes.  Season with a little salt. Add the curry paste and stir to combine. 

6. Add the coconut milk, kaffir lime powder, and reserved chicken broth from cooking the pork. Bring to a boil, and add the sweet potatoes.  Cover. Cook until tender, about 15 minutes.

7. Add the reserved pork to the pot along with the green beans. Cover and cook 2 minutes, until everything is tender and hot. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Homemade Ice Cream Cake

I made this ice cream cake last year for my husband's birthday, but am somehow just now getting around to posting it! Which is clearly a crime, because this cake is wonderful.  I figured out the components by combining several different recipes and ideas from around the Internet, plus our own flavor preferences.  It's very reminiscent of a Dairy Queen cake, with a bonus brownie layer because: life is always better with a bonus brownie layer.  Mint chocolate chip is my husband's favorite ice cream, so we ran with that flavor profile here.  But, of course, you can change up the ice cream flavor, cookie flavor, or even substitute a cookie or blondie base in place of the brownies.

Homemade Ice Cream Cake

In an 8-inch round springform pan, layer:

1. About half a box of prepared brownie mix (a thin layer), baked until just cooked.  Cool and freeze overnight.

2. Half a carton ice cream (I used Breyer's mint chocolate chip) -- beat in a stand mixer until smooth before adding to the pan.  Top that with chopped Oreos (I used mint Oreos) and a thick layer of hot fudge sauce (warmed until just pourable).  Freeze overnight.

3. Beat the other half of the ice cream until smooth, layer on top of the Oreo-hot fudge sauce layer, and then pop in the freezer.  Beat one cup of heavy cream with a little vanilla and a tablespoon or two of powdered sugar, and then spread on top of the ice cream cake.  Freeze until solid.

4. To serve, carefully remove the outer ring of the springform pan.  Heat up a knife under hot running water to easily slice the ice cream cake.

Orange-a-rita

This version of a margarita leans heavier toward the orange side of things than the lime side of things, but still isn't too sweet.  Because there are quite a few other ingredients besides the orange juice, the color isn't too different from a normal margarita, but you'll definitely be able to taste the difference.  You can adjust the amount of simple syrup to make this sweeter or tarter according to your preference.

Orange-a-rita
Serves 2

3 ounces tequila
2 ounces lime juice
2 ounces orange juice (strain through a fine-mesh strainer)
1/2 ounce orange liqueur
1/2 ounce simple syrup
Ice

Combine everything in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Strain into glasses over ice.

Loaded baked potato soup

I am a big baked potato fan -- one of the most memorable is from the Big E Fair in New England:

This recipe is a fun way to get all the flavors of a baked potato in soup form -- perfect for a snowy day.  If you've got an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, the recipe is also super fast to prepare (and even with a regular pot of boiling water, it doesn't take too much longer).  Once the potatoes are cooked, they're turned into soup with the addition of milk, chicken stock, and sour cream.  Of course, you can sub in vegetable stock if you want to keep this vegetarian.  We topped our with traditional baked potato toppings -- green onions, bacon, and shredded cheese -- but you could use anything you like on a baked potato.  I think minced steamed broccoli and Cheddar would be very good as well.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup (adapted from Cooking Light)

Serves 4

2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

1/4 cup flour

2 cups 2% milk

1 cup chicken stock

3/4 cup light sour cream

Salt and pepper

Toppings: shredded Cheddar, crispy bacon, minced chives or scallions, or anything else you like on your baked potatoes!

1. Cook the potatoes -- I use my pressure cooker (4 minutes on high pressure), although a pot of boiling water will work just as well (plan on about 10-15 minutes in that case).  Drain the potatoes, return them to the pan, and mash with a potato masher until they're as smooth or chunky as you like.

2. Combine the flour with about 1/2 cup milk in a medium bowl, and whisk until smooth.  Gradually whisk in the remaining milk and then the chicken stock.  Add to the potatoes, and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the soup is thickened and bubbly.

3. Remove from the heat, and whisk in the sour cream.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  

4. Ladle the soup into bowls, and top with your choice of favorite baked potato toppings.

Strawberry Hot Fudge Sundaes with Toasted Marshmallows

I've unfortunately forgotten where I got the idea for this ice cream sundae -- I think I saw a photo with similar ingredients somewhere online, but can't recall where!  In any case, this sundae is super decadent and delicious -- you should absolutely make it as soon as possible! The fun element here is toasting marshmallows under the broiler in the oven -- it's really easy to do, but adds something special to the sundaes.  Fresh berries provide a needed burst of bright, tart flavor to an otherwise rich dish, and of course there's hot fudge sauce because -- why wouldn't you add hot fudge sauce?  

Strawberry Hot Fudge Sundaes with Toasted Marshmallows

Hot fudge sauce

Oil spray 

Marshmallows

Ice cream of your choice (fudge ripple or strawberry are both favorites)

A few strawberries, minced

1. Heat up the hot fudge sauce until hot.  Set aside.

2. Preheat the broiler on your oven. Line a baking sheet with foil, and spray with oil.  Set out a few marshmallows on the baking sheet, and the broil briefly until browned on top.  Keep a very close eye as the marshmallows will burn very quickly -- do not step away from the oven!

3. Build your sundaes: a scoop of ice cream, hot fudge sauce, strawberries, and toasted marshmallows.

4. Serve right away!

Lemongrass Chicken Noodle Bowls with Coconut Broth

The coconut broth for this soup? It's so good it almost doesn't matter what else you add to your bowl! In fact, I think it would be a great restorative all on it's own if you're feeling under the weather.  The rest of the time, you can add in noodles, chicken, and crisp veggies to make it a meal.  Feel free to play around with the toppings here depending on what you're in the mood for or have around the house -- this would be a great way to use up extra veggies you have in the crisper.

Lemongrass Chicken Noodle Bowls with Coconut Broth (adapted from Cooking Light)
Serves 4

1-1/4 cups coconut milk, divided
3 T minced lemongrass (I buy it in a tube, because I'm a cheater!)
2 T sambal oelek
6 bone in-skin on chicken thighs
1 cup chicken stock or water
6 garlic cloves, crushed
1 large onion, peeled and quartered
2 carrots, scrubbed and each cut into 4 pieces
2-inch piece of fresh ginger, scrubbed and thinly sliced
2 T low-sodium soy sauce
1-1/2 T fish sauce
1 T fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp granulated sugar

To serve:
8 ounces wide rice noodles or other Asian-style noodles, prepared according to package directions
Thinly sliced cucumber
Minced fresh cilantro
Unsalted peanuts

1. Combine 3/4 cup of the coconut milk, the lemongrass, and the sambal oelek in a large Ziplock bag.  Add the chicken, seal well, and turn to coat the chicken in the sauce.  Place in the fridge for at least 8 and up to 24 hours to marinate.
2. Place the chicken stock or water, garlic, onion, carrots, and ginger in the Instant Pot.  Arrange the chicken in a single layer on top of the veggies, and pour any additional marinade on top.  Seal the Instant Pot, and hit the "Poultry" button.  Quick release the pressure.  (No pressure cooker? Cook in a slow cooker on low for 7-1/2 hours.)
3. Remove the chicken and shred into bite sized pieces, discarding the skin and bones.
4. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh strainer.  Skim off as much fat as possible, and then add to a small saucepan with the remaining 1/2 cup coconut milk, along with the soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar.  Simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
5. Assemble the bowls: add a scoop of broth, along with noodles, shredded chicken, cucumber, cilantro, and peanuts.