My favorite recipes of 2018!!! These recipes either made me cry, made me swoon, or seduced my husband into happily doing the dishes. They are all that good.
I get excited about every recipe I publish, but some really blow me out of the water. I find myself hoping and praying that you all make them ASAP so you can share in the love. Sadly, many of them don't hit the viral scene on Google and take a back seat way too quickly to other more trending recipes.
I compare it to having a child that you know is incredibly talented, funny, and special only to have other people see that child as “ordinary”. “Ordinary!” you proclaim. “Are you blind?” you shout. “Can you not see the halo above their head?!”
Can you relate?
Well, today I'm bringing back my most prized “recipe children” that will most definitely bring a smile to every lip that tastes them. This is truly a standout bunch of recipes right here! Let's get started!
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala with the most amazing Raita Sauce
I reserve the term “flavor bomb” for only the most deserving recipes, and this Chicken Tikka Masala is definitely one of them. I tire of recipes quickly, but this baby I could eat every day of the week. The Raita Sauce was a new discovery for me, and when combined with the spice-filled Tikka sauce, it is the most heavenly combination I have ever discovered in my kitchen.
Instant Pot Healthy Tamales
Tamales in the Instant Pot are pretty revolutionary because it makes a hard job easier and MUCH quicker. This particular recipe is filled with salsa verde pork and refried beans and is a billion times better for you than the lard-filled versions you've likely had in the past. Feel free to fill them with anything your heart desires.
Instant Pot Hawaiian Barbecue Tacos with a DREAMY Pineapple Cashew Coleslaw
I could happily drink the BBQ sauce on this shredded pork, my goodness it is good. If that isn't enough reason to make them, just check out the colorful Pineapple Cashew Coleslaw. I make a big batch of it to enjoy long after the barbecue tacos are gone.
Instant Pot Popcorn
I didn't expect this recipe to wow me like it did, but I whip up a batch of this popcorn and the healthy chocolate and vanilla versions on a weekly basis. It's as fun to make as it is to eat!
Instant Pot Healthy Nacho Cheese Sauce AKA Squacho Sauce
I've taken this to many family get-togethers and to my knowledge there is only one nephew who refuses to eat it. He won't eat ketchup either since he found out it contained a vegetable though, so I'm gonna say his opinion doesn't count. The cheese contains more vegetables than it does cheese so my sisters and I like to say we are basically eating a pile of vegetables on top of our nachos. This is health food people!
Instant Pot Chicken and Corn Chowder with Sweet Potato
I've been making this soup since I got married 14 years ago, and figured out an Instant Pot shortcut this past year. It's a top 5 favorite soup of mine 14 years running. Now that's saying somethin'!
Instant Pot Caramel Apple Cheesecake
While I can't personally eat such rich, sweet, decadent desserts, I have a husband who is a self-proclaimed dessert expert. He has confidently announced that this is the best cheesecake he has ever tasted. He also said that about this White Chocolate Lemon Bar Cheesecake, but I do believe he said it with just a touch more enthusiasm for this Caramel Apple version. Jaws dropped everywhere I took this cheesecake, it's a winner for sure.
Instant Pot Healthy, Creamy Fruit Dip
I titled this a fruit dip, but in my home, it's also known as a pancake syrup, crepe filling, Crio Bru sweetener, and more. My family's favorite flavor is Pumpkin Spice, but I go weak in the knees for a swirl of the Vanilla version in my Crio Bru. So versatile, dairy free, and creamy beyond belief.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup with a Thai Twist
My love for Thai food is strong and this soup fulfilled my dreams of finding the best butternut squash soup in the entire world. Layer upon layer of surprising flavors that somehow work together to create a masterpiece. If you haven't made this one yet, DO IT! ASAP!
Instant Pot Easy Philly Cheesesteak
After many disappointing restaurant Phillys, I set out to make my own and by golly, this is the cheesesteak to beat all cheesesteaks. Who even says “by golly” anymore? People who bite into this flavorful, cheesy, and easy Philly, that's who!
Instant Pot Blackberry Spiced Poached Pears
These pretty purple pears are a recent discovery and are becoming a regular at my home so I can indulge again and again on this heartthrob of a salad. My kids don't mind either because they choose to eat theirs topped with cream and blackberries instead, which I also highly recommend.
I promised myself I'd stop at 10 recipes, which I didn't, there are actually 11 here, but I also need to give honorable mention to a few more of my favorite Instant Pot recipes from this past year: Healthy Crack Chicken, Steak Fajitas, Creamy Vegetable Medley, Chipotle Shredded Chicken, and Thai Risotto.
And now I will do my very best to stop because my mind is flooding with the memories of so many more.
What about you?! What have been your favorites this year? What TIDBITS recipes have found themselves in regular rotation at your home? I'm dying to hear!
My handy dandy notebook is brimming with more goodies for 2019! Prepare to fall in love with your Instant Pot again and again and again . . .
Be sure and check out:
- Most Popular Recipes of 2018 (according to you)
- Best Recipes of 2017
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