Betsy Nelson
LATEST STORIES
Bean and Root-Vegetable Stew
Once you soak the beans, this hearty stew comes together in roughly 30 minutes and is perfect for a winter day.
Collard Greens With Ham
This soulful side dish is a nice accompaniment to a roasted chicken. For a vegetarian version, simply omit the ham and, if you like, add a teaspoon of smoked Spanish paprika.
Pork Carnitas
Carnitas — braised or roasted pork that is shredded — is a staple of Mexican cuisine and great to have on hand for eating in tacos and tamales or with rice and beans.
Red Lentil Dal With Fresh Cilantro and Lime
Perfect as a light meal, dal is a traditional Indian dish made with lentils, beans, or peas.
Flan
Custards that are traditionally baked in a bain-marie, or water bath, turn out even better in the pressure cooker: They cook more evenly and are less likely to form large bubbles or curdle.
Lamb Tangine
Lamb shoulder can be a tough cut of meat, but pressure cooking can make it fall-off-the-bone tender. Serve this over a quinoa, rice, or millet pilaf.
Wild-Mushroom Risotto
Risotto intimidates many home cooks, but using a pressure cooker eliminates all that endless stirring. Try this recipe with your favorite veggies, herbs, and meat or seafood.
Vegan Dark-Chocolate Pudding
This pudding is rich, satisfying, and dairy-free. Experiment by adding a bit of grated orange zest, a little vanilla or almond extract, or a tablespoon of peanut butter or almond butter.
Chocolate and Cacao Nib Gelato
Cacao nibs add crunch while a dash of cayenne adds some subtle heat.
BBQ Sauce With Cocoa and Molasses
Commercial BBQ sauces are often high in sugar, usually in the form of high-fructose corn syrup. This recipe balances the sweetness of caramelized onions, tomatoes, honey, and molasses with the earthiness of cocoa powder. This sauce is best made a day in advance to allow the flavors to meld.
Chicken Mole
Mole is a traditional Mexican sauce that has many variations and usually takes hours to cook. This adaptation is quicker but still silky and flavorful.
Black Bean Chili With Chipotle And Dark Chocolate
Spicy and smoky chipotle pepper pairs well with dark chocolate.
Roasted Butternut Squash With Cocoa-Bean Peppercorn Cream
Cocoa-infused cream pairs nicely with warming spices such as black pepper, cumin, and cinnamon, and it complements a variety of veggies, including carrots, sweet potatoes, and even green beans.
Spring Greens and Zucchini Lasagna
This grain-free lasagna has thinly sliced zucchini instead of pasta — eggplant makes a great substitute, too — and it’s served with a roasted-carrot sauce. Adding a little nutritional yeast and almond flour to the ricotta provides richness and flavor.
Watercress, Citrus, and Avocado Salad
Change up this classic salad by trying other combinations: dandelion greens with a balsamic and dried-cherry vinaigrette, or arugula with a warm pancetta dressing and shaved Parmesan. For a heartier salad, add diced smoked turkey or chicken, or a crumble of cooked bacon.
Spring Greens Korean Rice Bowl
Greens are an essential part of any rice-bowl dish. This version features pork, but you could easily use beef, chicken, fish, or tempeh, and you can sub in any seasonal veggies.
Spring Greens Tonic
Make a refreshing cleansing juice with celery, lemon, romaine lettuce, and watercress or another spring green. Add a green apple or a pear for sweetness if you like.
Spring Green Pakoras: Indian Fritter Recipe
These little Indian fritters are traditionally made with spinach or other vegetables but are fantastic when made with mustard greens, dandelion greens, watercress, nettles, or arugula. Serve with the yogurt-mint sauce.
Coconut-Water Kefir
Often made with various kinds of dairy or nondairy milks, kefir can also be easily made from water or coconut water. This recipe is adapted from www.culturesforhealth.com, which is also a good source for kefir grains.
Green-Tea Kombucha
Kombucha is a tasty probiotic drink. You can also make this with black tea (but not flavored or decaf tea), fruit juices, and chopped fresh fruit and herbs.
Maple-Vanilla Greek Yogurt
Making your own flavored yogurt is a breeze — and you can control the ingredients and sugar level to boot. This is a perfect base for granola-fruit parfaits.