INSTANT POT Black Beans and Rice

I have seen recipes where you can cook the beans and rice together. This is my preferred method because I also use cooked rice in Stuffed Peppers and Rice Pudding.

Instant Pot Rice 

1 cup rice, 1 c. water

Cook rice in IP using Instant Pot chart white rice 4 min. Remove rice and rinse pot if desired.

Cook the beans.

·        2 T. oil

·        1 large onion, chopped

·        ½ cup chopped green pepper

·        1 t. minced garlic

·        1 lb dried black beans

·        Chicken broth

·        Salt and pepper to taste

·        14 oz. can diced tomatoes

·        1 T. cumin

·        2 bay leaves

·        1 can Rotel, mild

1.      Add oil, green pepper, onions, and sauté until onions are transparent.

2.      Add unsoaked black beans in instant pot and 4 c. water or chicken broth.

3.      Add spices, canned tomatoes, Rotel

4.      Cook on Manual for 20-25 minutes.

5.      Reduce pressure manually

6.      Add cooked rice.

7.      Cook on manual until rice is warm

INSTANT POT Ann’s Best Green Beans

·        4 pieces pre-cooked bacon, cut in pieces

·        1 tsp. minced garlic
·        2 c. chicken broth
·        1 lb. green beans
·        1 lb. petite red potatoes
·        1 large onion 


1.     Sauté the bacon and garlic in the IP until bacon is crisp.
2.     Add 2 cups water, chicken bouillon, green beans, and red potatoes.
3.     Set pot on Manual for 10 min.
4.     Let pressure drop naturally.
5.     Add large onion cut in wedges and add more water, if desired.
6.     Set pot on Manuel and set for 2 min.
7.     Release pressure quickly.

If you would like your beans cooked more, use the slow cooker setting and use the IP glass lid for as long as you need. 

INSTANT POT Mixed Greens

Instant Pot Mixed Greens

Ingredients
* 2 tsp olive oil
* 4 slices uncooked bacon chopped
* 1 medium onion chopped
* 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
* 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
* 2 Tbsp brown sugar
* 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (This had some heat.)
* 16 oz greens roughly chopped

Instructions
1. Rinse greens very well. Remove the thick center stem and roughly chop them into large bite-sized pieces. I bought bagged Mixed Greens from Aldi's.

2. Add olive oil to the Instant Pot. Press the "Saute" button, leaving the lid off.

3. Once the oil has heated, add the chopped bacon. Saute for 4-5 minutes, and then add the chopped onion. Stir everything around periodically.

4. Once the bacon has cooked and the onion has become golden, deglaze the pot with about one-third cup of the chicken broth. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up the stuck-on bits from the bottom of the pot and stir.

5. Add the rest of the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes and stir to combine.

6. Add the chopped greens to the Instant Pot and pack them in well. Press the "Keep Warm/Cancel" button to shut off the Saute function.

**You want to allow for adequate space in the Instant Pot before cooking with pressure, so I paused for a minute or two at this point to allow for some of the greens to reduce in size before proceeding. Packed in, aim for the Instant Pot to be about two-thirds full.

7. Close and lock lid. Ensure the pressure release valve is set to "sealing".

8. Press the "Manual" button. Then using the down button, reduce the cooking time to 5 minutes.

9. At this point, you can allow the Instant Pot to naturally pressure release. Natural pressure release for this recipe took about 20 minutes.

11. Once the pressure is released, carefully remove the lid and stir everything up. Serve while warm.

I was surprised. I never add vinegar to my greens, but this combination of brown sugar and red pepper was flavorful.

Adapted from Alyssa @ mysequinedlife.com