Pinterest from Valerie's Kitchen/Around the World in Cookbooks from The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook

Hubby decided to make tacos for us, and so I offered to make beans and rice to accompany them. I am a total fan girl of Instant Pot products, so I used both my Instant Pot and my IP Zest Rice Cooker.  These are the delicious results.

The beans came from Valerie's Kitchen. These are Mexican Pinto Beans made in the Instant Pot. A little on the spicy side, so be aware, but so delicious! Total hit with my spicy food loving family.

The rice is from the cookbook The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook. This is the Mexican Green Rice recipe. It is not specifically for the IP Zest Rice Cooker, but the recipes are easily enough adapted. My oldest thought it was a little bland, my youngest loved it. I personally liked it a lot. Simple ingredients. One button.

I originally bought this for my daughter because she had a rice maker and LOVES rice. I liked it so much, I bought my own copy.

Black Eyed Peas and Beer Brat Soup in the Instant Pot

I finally got an Instant Pot. I'd been wanting one and kept looking at them every time I went to a store that sells them. "One of these days," I kept telling myself. One of those days finally arrived a few months ago. Then the inevitable where it sat while I stared at it for awhile, uncertain how to proceed. My son is braver. He got one months before I did, and his sat unopened in his dining room. We both decided to brave it. He went first.

Black Eyed Peas and Beer Brat Soup

2 c. dried black eyed peas, soaked overnight
One red onion, diced
5 garlic cloves, minced
6 c. vegetable broth
One small can tomato paste
2 t. oregano
One bay leaf
1 t. salt
1 t. crushed red pepper flakes
3 T. brown sugar
One package vegan beer brats, sliced
One green bell pepper, chopped

Because this was my first recipe, I didn't use the saute function, but you can saute the onion and garlic first, if you prefer. Add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot and cook at pressure for 5 minutes. When done, release pressure after 3 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Serve. Enjoy!