"Instant" Irish Beef Stew

While my distant Irish roots never carried over very much in my family traditions, St. Patrick's Day has been one of my favorite holidays in recent years--mostly because of all the delicious foods and recipes that come out of Ireland!  One of my favorite things to make every year is this tasty Instant Pot rendition of Irish Beef Stew.

Quick, easy, and delicious, this meal is the perfect addition to any St. Patrick's Day celebration.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Package (about 1-2 lbs) Cubed Stewing Beef.
• 1 White Onion (Diced)
• 2-3 Carrots (Diced)
• 2-3 Potatoes (Diced)
• 1 Vegetable/Herb Flavored Bouillon Cube
• 2 (28oz) Cans Tomato Sauce
• 1 Cup Water
• 1 Package (1lb) Frozen Peas
• Garlic Salt (To Taste)
• Onion Powder (To Taste) 
• Pepper (To Taste)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Turn Instant Pot onto saute setting. Place cubed stewing beef in the pot and cook until just browned.
2. Add the onion. Cook until translucent. 
3. Add the carrots and potatoes and saute for about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often so it doesn't stick.
4. Crumble up the bouillon and stir it in. (You can add the garlic salt, onion powder, and pepper now if you wish. It helps the flavors marry while they cook. Otherwise, add at the end to taste)
5. Add tomato sauce, water, and peas. Close the Instant Pot and set it to the soup setting (or 30 min).
6. When the timer is up, release the pressure valve and allow to come down. 
7. Add any extra garlic salt, onion powder, or pepper to flavor. Serve with Irish Soda Bread! 

Energizing Coffee Peanut Butter Fudge!

Hello, readers! It has been some time since I last posted here on my blog. I'm hoping to change that by updating at least once a week with recipes, book news, or just little insights into my life as a full-time writer.

As many of you know, I love food! (What cozy author doesn't?) I'm always trying to think up new dishes and treats to make. Baking and cooking offer a great break from writing when my brain is just overworked. What better way to restart our engines than with some coffee infused peanut butter fudge?

This is something I whipped up recently when I realized I was out of chocolate in my house. When I saw I had an excess of Peanut Butter, it only made sense to make it into fudge!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Stick of Butter (1 Cup)
• 1 16oz Container of Peanut Butter (about 2 Cups)
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
• 2 Tablespoons of Coffee Beans (or grounds)
• 4-6 Tablespoons of Granulated Sugar (or powdered sugar) depending on your preferred sweetness.
• Chopped nuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a microwave-safe mixing bowl, melt the butter for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until it is just liquid. Try not to let it boil. (Alternately, you can do this on the stovetop in a medium sized saucepan on medium to low heat.)
2. Mix in the peanut butter. Return to the microwave and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute until the mixture is soft and easy to stir.
3. Add the vanilla to the mixture and stir it in.
4. In a coffee grinder (or food processor), combine the coffee beans and sugar. Blend on a "fine grind" setting until the sugar looks powdery. (If you are using powdered sugar and preground coffee, you can skip this step. I prefer freshly ground coffee myself.)
5. Add the coffee/sugar to the peanut butter mixture. Stir until well blended. 
6. Pour the mixture into a standard bread pan (9x5 inches) lined with parchment paper or buttered along the bottom and sides. (The fudge will come out more easily with the parchment than with just buttering.)
7. Top with chopped nuts of your choice. I like using pecans.
8. Freeze for at least an hour. For best results, leave it overnight. 
9. After it is done setting, cut it into 1-inch squares and store in airtight container in the fridge. If the fudge is left out for more than an hour, it will start to get soft.

For an extra ZING, feel free to add another scoop or two of coffee to the fudge mixture. This may add a slightly bitter flavor, but it compliments the peanuts well.