GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota — The coronavirus is changing all of our lives.
Grocery stores are sold out of some items we need. Dinner plans at our favorite restaurants are canceled.
But look no further than the pantry in your home or apartment. Most of us have dry pasta, salt and pepper, olive oil and beans. These are a few of the ingredients needed to help you whip up some comfort meals. The idea was to use items we likely have at home.
First, we start with a staple: Mac and Cheese. We prepare this meal by using a blender and Instant Pot. The old-fashioned way works, cooking on top of the stove or baking in an oven, however, blending everything is convenient.
MAC AND CHEESE
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups of milk, add more if necessary
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- One pack of 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of grated nutmeg
- 8 ounces macaroni pasta
- 8 ounces sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese
Directions
- Coat butter over the bottom of the pressure cooker. You will need about one tablespoon.
- Blend your milk, cream, cream cheese, 1 tablespoon butter, salt, pepper in a blender.
- Next, add the cream cheese mixture and the macaroni to the pressure cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
- Release the pressure manually. Stir the noodles, and if they look dry, stir in more milk to taste. Stir in the cheese and serve.
Meanwhile, you can never go wrong with bean soup. It is a great source of protein, filling and inexpensive. We had Navy Beans in our pantry so that is what we whipped up. You will need:
BEAN SOUP
Ingredients:
- 1 lb of beans ( a pack)
- 1 tbsp of olive oil
- 1 cup of onion, chipped
- 1 tbsp ground cumin ( if you have in your pantry)
- ½- 2 tsp of salt. ( add for your desired taste)
- Sour cream
Directions:
- Drain the beans you first allowed to soak overnight.
- Heat your olive oil in the Instant Pop by using the Saute function. Add onions and saute for about two minutes. Add seasoning of your choice. We used salt and pepper and Old Bey. Cumin and garlic work well or a poultry mix. Add beans and broth. Stir well.
- Allow to cook for seven minutes.
- Garnish with source cream
- When done, mash the beans, leave the soup as is or blend in your blender.
With schools closing across the state, Minnesota restaurants are stepping in. Here is a list of outlets serving free meals to kids.
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