Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup

This potato soup cooks in an Instant Pot® and is customizable with assorted toppings. I prefer to get my saltiness from the bacon, so I don't add extra salt. I also like a thicker chowder-like consistency; if you like yours thinner, add more liquid.

• 1 yellow onion, diced

• 4 thick slices cherrywood-smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 ½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped

• 1 cup water

• 1 ½ teaspoons garlic base (such as Better Than Bouillon® Roasted Garlic Base)

• 1 ½ cups half-and-half

• ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese

• ¼ cup sliced green onions

• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

• Step 1

  Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Add onion, bacon, and butter to the hot pot and saute until bacon is crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. Turn off Saute function and transfer contents to a small bowl.

• Step 2

  Add potatoes, water, and garlic base to pot and close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 12 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.

• Step 3

  Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 15 minutes. Release remaining pressure carefully using the quick-release method, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Mash potatoes against the side of the pot, leaving some chunks if desired. Add onion-bacon mixture and half-and-half; stir to combine.

• Step 4

  Ladle into soup bowls and top with green onions, Cheddar cheese, and black pepper.

• 1 yellow onion, diced

• 4 thick slices cherrywood-smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 ½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped

• 1 cup water

• 1 ½ teaspoons garlic base (such as Better Than Bouillon® Roasted Garlic Base)

• 1 ½ cups half-and-half

• ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese

• ¼ cup sliced green onions

• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

• Step 1

  Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Add onion, bacon, and butter to the hot pot and saute until bacon is crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. Turn off Saute function and transfer contents to a small bowl.

• Step 2

  Add potatoes, water, and garlic base to pot and close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 12 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.

• Step 3

  Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 15 minutes. Release remaining pressure carefully using the quick-release method, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Mash potatoes against the side of the pot, leaving some chunks if desired. Add onion-bacon mixture and half-and-half; stir to combine.

• Step 4

  Ladle into soup bowls and top with green onions, Cheddar cheese, and black pepper.

Lemon Yogurt Cake

A lemon pound cake made with yogurt instead of sour cream.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, room temperature

• 2 cups white sugar

• 3 eggs, room temperature

• 1 teaspoon lemon extract

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 (8 ounce) container lemon flavored yogurt

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan.

• Step 2

  Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat one egg at a time into the butter mixture; add lemon extract with last egg.

• Step 3

  Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Alternately mix in the flour mixture and the yogurt, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat just until incorporated.

• Step 4

  Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

Apple Cabbage Soup

This delicious soup is great for a cold winter day. For a lighter flavor some recipes swap out the onion and garlic for a leek instead. Serve with a crusty bread for extra yumminess.

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces (Optional)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 yellow onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds

• ½ apple, peeled and finely chopped

• 5 cups vegetable broth

• ½ cup apple cider

• 1 head cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped

• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

• ⅓ cup white sugar

• 1 (12 ounce) loaf crusty bread

Directions

1. Place bacon pieces in a large pot and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

2. Drain fat from the pot and add olive oil, onion, garlic, and caraway seeds. Cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes.

3. Stir in chopped apple, vegetable broth, apple cider, cabbage, cider vinegar, and sugar. Bring soup to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer, partially covered, until cabbage is tender, 20 to 30 minutes.

4. Cut bread into large chunks and place them in the bottom of six soup bowls. Ladle the soup over the bread and serve.

Note: If you omit the bacon, add salt to taste.

Wassail Punch

This traditional German Christmas punch dates back to the 1800s. It was offered to carolers as they toured home to home.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon whole cloves

• 6 cinnamon sticks

• 3 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger

• 3 ¾ cups white sugar

• 2 quarts water

• 2 quarts orange juice

• 2 cups lemon juice

• 1 gallon apple cider

Directions

• Step 1

  Wrap the cloves, cinnamon stick, and ginger in cheese cloth, and tie with string.

• Step 2

  In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water and spice bag. Simmer and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, and refrigerate overnight.

• Step 3

  Before serving, stir in the orange juice, lemon juice, and cider. Reheat over medium low flame, and serve warm. Be careful not to boil.

Honey Glazed Ham

An irresistible Christmas ham with a delicious glaze. Tender, juicy, and flavorful. Coat with honey, butter, and corn syrup. Create a caramelized golden crust by gently basting for optimal tenderness. Aroma fills the air and captivates guests. Create lasting memories with our exceptional recipe. Joyful feasting awaits!

Ingredients

• 1 (5 pound) ready-to-eat ham

• ¼ cup whole cloves

• ¼ cup dark corn syrup

• 2 cups honey

• ⅔ cup butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Score ham, and stud with the whole cloves. Place ham in foil lined pan.

3. In the top half of a double boiler, heat the corn syrup, honey and butter. Keep glaze warm while baking ham.

4. Brush glaze over ham, and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven.

5. Baste ham every 10 to 15 minutes with the honey glaze. During the last 4 to 5 minutes of baking, turn on broiler to caramelize the glaze. Remove from oven, and let sit a few minutes before serving.

6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Sugar-Coated Pecans

Whether you're looking for a tasty treat to satisfy your afternoon cravings or a delightful addition to your holiday feasts, sugar coated pecans are a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy them on their own for a quick and delightful snack or sprinkle them over salads, desserts, or your favorite ice cream for an extra touch of sweetness and texture.

Ingredients

• cooking spray

• 1 egg white

• 1 tablespoon water

• 1 cup white sugar

• ¾ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 pound pecan halves

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. Whisk together egg white and water in a medium bowl until frothy. Mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a separate bowl.

3. Add pecans to egg white mixture; stir to coat. Transfer pecans to sugar mixture; toss to coat. Spread pecans out on the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake in the preheated oven until crisp, about 1 hour; stir every 15 minutes.