Feast for a Fraction

vegetarian

Instant Pot Rosemary Garlic Mashed Potatoes (no draining required!)

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Whip up a batch of creamy mashed potatoes packed with rosemary garlic flavor in your Instant Pot. The best part is there is no draining required and they’re ready in under 30 minutes.

side view of purple bowl of instant pot mashed potatoes with butter and rosemary sprig with title text "Instant Pot Rosemary Garlic Mashed Potatoes"

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I’m going to go out on a limb and say that mashed potatoes are the best side dish! I rarely make them, though, because peeling and boiling and mashing is such a hassle.

Enter the Instant Pot. Cooking the potatoes in the Instant Pot is essentially steaming the potatoes so we can get away with using A LOT less liquid. Just enough to not get a “burn” warning, really. The potatoes steam and then the extra liquid evaporates when we mash the potatoes.

overhead instant pot mashed potatoes on grey plate with brown gravy
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Homemade BBQ Sauce

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homemade bbq sauce in white bowl with pink trim on marble counter with title text "homemade bbq sauce"

Homemade BBQ sauce is one of the easiest condiments to make at home. In fact, my daughter whipped up this batch and loved helping in the kitchen.

Making BBQ sauce and other pantry staples at home allows you to control the ingredients AND it usually winds up saving you money! This BBQ sauce recipe consists of ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, mustard powder and salt and pepper. The best part: it really is as simple as dumping all the ingredients in a bowl and stir it up.

homemade bbq sauce ingredients in clear glass bowl with child's hand adding tablespoon of paprika
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Cherry Chia Banana Smoothie

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Cherry Banana smoothie in glass cup with gray cloth napkin on white surface with title text "Cherry Chia Banana Smoothie"

When I think of a quick breakfast, I immediately go to smoothies. You literally dump all the ingredients in and mix it up. It’s also the perfect way to get kiddos to eat fruits and vegetables that they normally wouldn’t be willing to try. Insert this Cherry Chia Banana Smoothie. The fruit adds the perfect amount of sweetness without any added sugar, and the chia seeds add fiber and protein to keep you feeling full.

Ingredients

Frozen Cherries: The best option is to pit and freeze your own cherries when they are in season and ON SALE. You can find fresh cherries at their lowest price from June to August. Your next best option is to pick up a bag of frozen cherries. I recommend checking at your local Dollar Tree. This is my secret weapon for frozen fruit. What may cost $3-4 dollars at your usual grocery store is only $1.

Banana: If you’re like me, you have a stash of overripe bananas in your freezer at any given time. These work perfectly in smoothies. If not, you can use fresh bananas or pop one in the freezer for an hour before adding to the smoothie.

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Classic Corn Casserole

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ingredients for corn casserole in a glass bowl with spoon with heading text "Classic Corn Casserole"

Corn casserole, corn pudding and spoon bread are all possible names for the same dish – Whole Corn, Creamed Corn, Sour Cream, Butter, Eggs and Jiffy Corn Muffin mix. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.

The variations, though, come in your extra additions or subtle differences in the combination of ingredients. If you ask anyone on my mom’s side of the family, Corn Casserole consists of whole corn, creamed corn, butter, eggs and crushed up saltine crackers. It’s a perfectly acceptable interpretation of corn casserole, but I very much prefer corn muffin mix to the saltine crackers.

Ask someone else and they’ll tell you that corn casserole should have chopped jalapenos and shredded cheese mixed in. Again, a perfectly delicious option.

That is the beauty of this dish. You have a basic, fool-proof recipe in which you can customize to your heart’s desire.

Corn Casserole Variations

  • Add 1 cup shredded cheese of your choice to the batter. Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheese on top. Bake as usual.
  • Mix in one drained can of diced green chilies before baking.
  • Amp up the sweetness by added 1/4 cup sugar to the batter.
  • Add 1/4-1/2 cup crumbled bacon to the batter.
  • Do any combination of the above for an even more interesting interpretation.
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Instant Pot Apple Butter (with free printable canning label!)

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cutting board with burlap napkin with jar of apple butter and spoon

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When I think of fall flavors, I immediately think of the rich apple and cinnamon flavor of apple butter! Oddly enough, apple butter does not contain any actual butter. It is really just spiced applesauce that is cooked down to the point that all of flavors basically caramelize into a sweet, apple-y, cinnamon-y love in a jar.

The process to make apple butter is usually pretty time consuming if you make it on the stove or in the slow cooker. I’ve cut it down to a total time of 45 minutes by using the Instant Pot!

How to Make Apple Butter

By cooking in the Instant Pot, we cut down the time it takes to cook down the apples. To start, all you have to do is core and slice your apples. There is no need to peel them if you don’t want. I really like leaving on the peels because it is added nutrition and it helps deepen the color of the apple butter.

You can also use whatever apple variety you prefer or have on hand. I tend to go for the crunchy and super juicy varieties like Gala and Fuji. Go with apples that you enjoy to eat raw and you can’t go wrong.

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DIY Everything Bagel Seasoning

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everything bagel seasoning in a teal bowl with a wooden spoon sitting on a white background

When Trader Joe’s released their “Everything” seasoning, I was in heaven! I LOVE the flavor of Everything Bagels – poppy seeds, sesame seeds, onions, garlic and salt. What’s not to love? And now that I had this love in a bottle, I could put it on everything… and I did.

My eyes had been opened and I realized I needed to make this seasoning blend myself. The ingredients are really straight-forward, so it is just a matter of finding the balance for your taste. Feel free to play with the measurements to find your favorite balance of onion, garlic and salt.

I will say it is pretty important to use a course salt or a flaky sea salt so that it will hold up to the other ingredients. Table salt is a little too fine for this use.

Ideas for Using Everything Bagel Seasoning

  • Season your Popcorn
  • Top your Scrambled Eggs
  • Finish your Avocado Toast with a little sprinkling
  • Mix into Hummus or sprinkle on tip
  • Sprinkle on Chicken or Fish before baking
  • Mix into Cream Cheese for a delicious spread. Check out my recipe for Everything Bagel and Lox Spread
  • Sprinkle on Vegetables before roasting
  • Top your Baked Potato
  • Add a delicious twist to Chex Mix
Yield: 7 Tablespoons

Everything Bagel Seasoning

everything bagel seasoning ingredients on a white background

Everything Bagel Seasoning is the perfect topping for all kinds of dishes. Sprinkle it on eggs or popcorn, mix it into cream cheese, or even use it to season chicken or fish.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Poppy Seeds
  • 1 Tablespoon White Sesame Seeds
  • 1 Tablespoon Black Sesame Seeds
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Dried Minced Onion
  • 1 Tablespoon Dried Minced Garlic
  • 1/2 Tablespoon Course Salt

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl or jar with a lid. Stir or shake to combine. Store in a sealed container in your pantry for up to three months.

Notes

This recipe is a guideline. If you don't have a certain ingredient, like black sesame seeds, simply increase the amount of white sesame seeds. If you find that you prefer less poppy seeds, feel free to cut back on them.

It is important to use course salt or flaky sea salt in this recipe because it will hold up to the other ingredients. If you only have table salt, decrease the amount to 1/2 to 1 teaspoon.

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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

7

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 29Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 454mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram and make sure to tag me @feastforafraction.

© Feast for a Fraction
Cuisine: American / Category: Spices and Seasonings

Let me know in the comments what else you like to use Everything Bagel Seasoning on.

Easy Homemade Mayonnaise

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homemade mayonnaise with ingredients

One of the best ways to build a frugal pantry is to learn to make condiments yourself. Homemade mayonnaise is no exception. The ingredients are items that we usually already have in our pantry, and the recipe comes together in less than two minutes. I’m also a huge fan of knowing exactly what is in my mayonnaise.

Most store-bought mayonnaise contains lots of extra ingredients that act as stabilizers and preservatives. This recipe contains a whopping six ingredients including salt and water! With that, this recipe will last in the fridge for a week. If you’re anything like my family, that won’t be a problem. We’ve always making sandwiches for lunches or a batch of pimento cheese spread.

Flavor Ideas

Once you’ve prepared your basic mayonnaise recipe, feel free to play with adding herbs and spices to fancy it up. I love adding pureed roasted red peppers to make Red Pepper Mayo or stir in a tablespoon on prepared horseradish to give it a little kick. The possibilities are endless.

  • Paprika
  • Garlic Powder
  • Sriracha
  • Wasabi Powder
  • Honey or Maple Syrup
  • Black Pepper
Yield: 1 cup

Homemade Mayonnaise

jar of homemade mayonnaise with ingredients

Making condiments at home allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor.  This basic mayonnaise recipe is the perfect foundation.

Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 large Egg Yolk
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Water
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 3/4 cup Canola or Avocado Oil

Instructions

  1. Place egg yolk, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, water and salt into a wide-mouth mason jar.
  2. Using an immersion blender or milk frother, blend ingredients while slowly streaming in oil.
  3. Blend for 30 seconds or until fully incorporated and creamy.
  4. Store prepared mayonnaise in the fridge for up to one week.

Notes

This recipe comes together very quickly when using an immersion blender.  If you don't have one, you can use a sturdy bowl and whisk.  Be mindful to stream the oil in slowly when whisking by hand to ensure that the mixture emulsifies.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 98Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 86mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram and make sure to tag me @feastforafraction.

© Sarah
Cuisine: N/A / Category: Condiments

Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice

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Instant Pot Brown Rice is one of the easiest beginner Instant Pot recipes because it is 2 ingredients and 15 minutes. Simply set and go!

brown rice in bowl with utensils

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Cooking brown rice doesn’t have to be a daunting, time-consuming task.  Instant Pot Brown Rice takes one-third of the time compared to cooking on the stove, and it is completely hands off.  You simply add the ingredients and let the pressure cooker do the work.

Instant Pot pressure cooker with glass measuring cup filled with brown rice sitting on wood cutting board

Brown Rice Meal Prep

I like to cook a large batch of brown rice at a time.  Each batch gets split up for several meals and can be stored in the fridge for up to a week and in the freezer for up to three months.  To freeze rice, let it cool completely after cooking. 

Then, spread it in a thin layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or a baking liner and freeze.  Once frozen, you can transfer the rice to a freezer bag.  Freezing in a thin layer prevents it from freezing in a solid block.

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