ML Interest Tag: tenderloin

13 Instant Pot Freezer Meals for Busy Weeknights

by Karly Wood

We’re partial to the fajitas and the baked chicken spaghetti recipes

Busy weeknights don’t have to equal fast food, especially when you own a pressure cooker. From healthy soups to savory tenderloin and spicy fajitas, these recipes and meal prep ideas are all about Instant Pot freezer meals that will take your daily dinners from drab to fab. Get ready to add a ton to your weekly recipe rotation.

Wild Rice Soup

wild rice soup is a good instant pot freezer meal
Pinch of Yum

Pinch of Yum's wild rice soup is just what the cold weather ordered. It is easy to freeze and even easier to make (try a vegetarian version or add chicken). It's comfort food that packs in veggies, spices and a healthy dose of flavor.

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

The Salty Pot

Kid-friendly and packed with pineapple, The Salty Pot's Instant Pot sweet & sour meatballs get dinner on the table in a flash. It's simple to stow all the prepped ingredients into a bag and pull out just in time to add to your pressure cooker.

Shredded Beef Fajitas

Happy Money Saver

Happy Money Saver's recipe for shredded beef fajitas will quickly become a family fave. The meaty mixture cooks for 60 minutes in your Instant Pot and needs only a side of tortillas and lime before enjoying. 

Unstuffed Peppers

Adventures of a Nurse

Hearty and savory, these Instant Pot Unstuffed Peppers from Adventures of a Nurse are a quick one-pot meal. Rice, ground beef and peppers cook straight from the freezer for just four minutes, and dinner is done!

Apple Honey Pork Tenderloin

Meal Plan Addict

This dump-and-go freezer meal from Meal Plan Addict is great for any time of the year, but especially in cold weather months. Everyone will enjoy this savory dish; you can cook from frozen or pull out the ingredients the night before to thaw in the fridge.

Chili

Recipes From a Pantry

A fave for chilly nights or football games, this Instant Pot chili from Recipes from a Pantry is quick and to the point. Prepped meat and veggies can be thawed overnight and cooked up in just 15 minutes in your IP for a healthy and hearty weeknight meal. 

Vegetable Soup

Thriving Home

Whether you're a diehard vegetarian or just prepping for a Meatless Monday, this Vegetable Soup recipe from Thriving Home is packed with healthy ingredients no one can resist. Easy to prep, meal planning is a cinch with this tasty dinner. Get the full recipe from Thriving Home.

Cheesy Taco Pasta

Bake Me Some Sugar

Great for picky eaters and busy nights, this cheesy taco pasta dish from Bake Me Some Sugar is just what your weeknight ordered. Savory meat, adorable mini shells, cheese and lots of flavorful seasonings make this one-pot dish come together quickly. Just add a salad and dinner is done. 

Thai Chicken Thighs

Pressure Cooking Today

Are you looking for a flavor-packed dinner? Pressure Cooking Today's recipe for Thai chicken thighs is where it's at! Boneless chicken thighs and peanut sauce are just a few flavorful ingredients that can be frozen together then dumped into your pressure cooker. All you need to do is add a few fresh ingredients like green onions and peanuts.

Pasta E Fagioli Soup

Sparkles to Sprinkles

This savory pasta e Fagioli soup from Sparkles to Sprinkles is great for chilly nights. To prep, add all your ingredients except the pasta. When it's time to make dinner, just add in the pasta before cooking. 

Chicken Caesar Wraps

Foody Schmoody

This chicken Caesar wraps recipe from Foody Schmoody is perfect for a lighter meal. Frozen chicken is quickly cooked and shredded, then combined with yummy Caesar dressing before adding to a tortilla.

Taco Rice Casserole

A Taste of Madness

This tasty taco rice casserole from A Taste of Madness is such a versatile recipe. You can eat it for lunch or dinner!

Baked Chicken Spaghetti

Scrummy Lane

This baked chicken spaghetti is a delicious meal and the perfect comfort food. Get it from Scrummy Lane.

—with additional reporting by Taylor Clifton

 

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Teriyaki Pineapple Pork Tenderloin Sliders

by Susie Foresman

Craving something different for dinner? Transport yourself to the islands with by whipping up these yummy sliders from Or Whatever You Do. Grilled pineapple is always a hit, and once you pair it with pork tenderloin and a slathering of teriyaki sauce, you’ve got a dish that’ll please your whole crew.

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin
1 can pineapple rings
1 package King’s Hawaiian rolls
6-8 ounces teriyaki sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Method
1. In a small bowl, mix all dry ingredients for your rub together. Apply dry rub to the tenderloin. Make sure it is evenly coated.

2. Place meat on an outdoor grill at medium heat (325 F) and cover. Turn meat judiciously every 3-4 minutes to avoid burning the outside. When the meat reaches a minimum internal temperature of 145 F, it is done. Remove from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing into 1/2″ thick medallions.

3. While the tenderloin is cooking, open the can of pineapple rings and place them on the grill. Flip the rings when they have nice dark brown grill marks and remove when the other side is done.

4. At the same time you are grilling the pineapple rings, open your package of King’s Hawaiian Rolls and using a bread knife, cut them in half. Place both halves of all your cut rolls on the grill and leave there until the undersides are toasty brown, then remove.

5. To put your sliders together, first put the bottoms of the rolls down, followed by the pork tenderloin, and pineapple ring on top of that. Next, drizzle some teriyaki sauce on top of the pineapple and finish the slider by adding the top portion of the rolls.

This recipe and photo come courtesy of Nicole Johnson from Or Whatever You Do. A busy mom of seven kids, Nicole shares smart recipes that your whole family will enjoy—check out her blog for more.

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The California Academy of Sciences: Free and Fabulous

by rttaliapage

We don’t have to tell you that living within SF’s city limits has it’s perks. But you may not know that now until March 22, one of them is free admission to The California Academy of Sciences. SF residents can walk “through” the ocean, stroll around the butterfly-filled rainforest, and oggle at a gorilla without dropping a dime during  “Neighborhood Free Weekends.” Here’s how to make the most of your gratis visit.

Ready, Set, Action! Ride a Rocking Snail, Pet A Sea Urchin, Experience An Earthquake
The Early Explorers Cove is a play zone for folks under five. Tiny tikes who are still in the sedentary stage can hang out on a rocking snail while the older, mobile kids get their sea legs on the H.M.S. Academy or run around in the “jungle”.

Shake it up with kids over three at the popular Earthquake exhibit. Strollers aren’t allowed in the Earthquake house, but you’ll find parking just outside.

 The Discovery Tidepool is fun for all ages. We heard squeals of delight from adults and toddlers alike who ventured to plunge their hands in the tank to pet an invertebrate.

Lunch and a Show
When you’ve had your fill of interactive activities and running around, head to The Terrace for a bite and a drink. Kids can refuel with an organic PB&J while while parents relax with a glass of wine or beer. (The second glass is free during Happy Hour from 2-4 p.m.). Proceed to the Morrison Planetarium to sit back and enjoy a show featuring more stars than any of the Hollywood movies.

Organizing Your Trip
Paying for standard entry for a family of four is more than $100, so taking advantage of your neighborhood’s free weekend is well worth it! (The standard entry cost is $35 for adults, $30 for teens aged 17 and under, and $25 for kids aged 4-11.) Adults can bring up to six kids each during the free weekends. Be sure to visit during the days allocated to your zip code.

Neighborhoods: Bernal Heights, Castro, Cole Valley, Glen Park, Haight, Lake Merced, Mission, Noe Valley, St. Francis Wood
Zip codes: 94110, 94114, 94117, 94127, 94131, 94132
Spring 2015 Free Days: Feb. 27, 28, Mar. 1

Neighborhoods: Parkside, Sunset
Zip codes: 94116, 94122
Spring 2015 Free Days: Mar. 6, 7, 8

Neighborhoods: Chinatown, Marina, Nob Hill, North Beach, Presidio, Richmond, Russian Hill, Seacliff, Telegraph Hill, Western Addition
Zip codes: 94108, 94109, 94115, 94118, 94121, 94123, 94126, 94129, 94133
Spring 2015 Free Days: Mar. 13, 14, 15

Neighborhoods: Bayview-Hunters Point, Downtown, Hayes Valley, Ingelside-Excelsior, Mission Bay, Potrero Hill, SoMa, Tenderloin, Treasure Island, Visitacion Valley
Zip codes: 94102, 94103, 94104, 94105, 94107, 94111, 94112, 94124, 94130, 94134, 94158
Spring 2015 Free Days: Mar. 20, 21, 22

For more info, including i.d requirements and other fine print, visit this page before your visit.
Golden Gate Park
55 Music Concourse Dr.
San Francisco, Ca
415-379-8000
Online: calacademy.org
Hours: Mon.–Sat. 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun.11 a.m.–5 p.m.

—Talia Page

Are you planning on attending your neighborhood free weekend?

 

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Date Night: 10 Quiet Neighborhood Restaurants

by Erin Lem

As a parent, loud noise is part of the job. But when date night finally transpires, it’s time to zone it all out, and that requires a relaxing environment. 7×7 has put together an amazing list of quiet, serene places to dine where you won’t need to shout to be heard. Just sit, relax, and find out how to make your well-deserved date night a tranquil time.

Sometimes eating to the tune of bartenders shaking drinks, groups guffawing, and the latest indie rock sensation on the sound system is cool. (We’re looking at you, Bottle Cap.) But there are (so many) times when dinner needs to be a respite from noise. Maybe it’s been a rough week. Maybe your older relatives are in town. Or maybe it’s time for something a little corny romantic with your SO. Whatever the reason, here’s our list of quiet, calm restaurants, by the neighborhood. There might even be a delicious pork chop or two for your enjoyment—in hushed tones, of course.

Polk Gulch: A neat little Moroccan BYOB on Polk St., Tajine‘s feathery bastilla and staggering array of tajine variations run marathons around other contenders in the genre. 1653 Polk St.

Tenderloin: It’s cheap, the banh xeo is heavenly, and Bodega Bistro‘s vibe sticks to an unpompous reverence for the authentic Vietnamese goodness filling the room. 607 Larkin St.

Russian Hill: Sure we’ve heard some guy named Brad Pitt dines here when he’s in town to avoid the crazies. But we eat at Allegro Romano for the very special jewel box of a space, nicely rendered Italian basics like lobster ravioli, and a welcome escape from city bustle. Promise. 1701 Jones St.

Japantown: Family-owned Post street starlet Bushi-tei provides sweet service, and relative silence so there’s literally no distraction from the captivating California Japanese creations on the plate. 1638 Post St.

To see the rest of the list, read the full 7×7 article here.

Written by Carolyn Alburger

This is our weekly guest post from our friends at 7×7, a site that keeps you up on the best of SF. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a fantastic Date Night idea each week. Be sure to check out their blog for hourly doses of the best of SF.

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Date Night: Late Night Dining

by Erin Lem

On those rare nights when the kids are at grandma’s house or your babysitter offered to stay late, try taking advantage of the many late night dining options San Francisco has to offer. Our friends at 7X7 dug up a comprehensive list of the best spots to grab a great meal later in the night. These awesome date night restaurants serve great fare until midnight (and sometimes later)!

A San Franciscan’s lament is often that there’s no late-night dining in this town. But there is—and it reaches far beyond Nopa and greasy spoons. In fact, today it’s standard for restaurants to (try to) stay open late.

Following is an impressively diverse list of restaurants that serve food—good food—until midnight, at least a couple nights a week, and often beyond.

Craving a late night snack of dumplings, pizza, meatballs, deviled eggs, kimchi ramen, pupusas, sushi … ? The city is your oyster. Come and get it.

* Signifies restaurants serving food past midnight at least a couple nights a week.

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar (Civic Center)
Eats: Beef tartare, California Lam Shoulder Confit, Coq Au Vin
Last call for food: midnight, Tues–Sat (Mon closed)

Betelnut (Marina)
Eats: lettuce cups, pork confit with scallion pancakes, Happy Buddha dumplings
Last call for food: 11 pm, Sun–Thurs; midnight, Fri and Sat

Beretta (Mission) *
Eats: pizza, eggplant caponatina, meatballs
Last call for food: 1 am, daily

Bix (Jackson Square)
Eats: hand-cut steak tartare, deviled eggs, black-truffle cheese burger
Last call for food: 9:30 pm, Sun–Wed; 10:30 pm, Thurs–Sat; bar menu until midnight, Thurs–Sat

Boxing Room (Hayes Valley)
Eats: fried seafood po’boy, Southern-fried chicken, crawfish etouffée
Last call for food: 12:30 am, Thurs-Sat; 11:30 pm, Sun–Wed

Brazen Head (Marina) *
Eats: oysters on the half shell, crab cakes, pepper steak
Last call for food: 1 am, daily

Chambers (Tenderloin)*
Eats: marble potatoes, summer bean salad, burger
Last call for food: 1 am, daily

Cotogna (Jackson Square)
Eats: sformato, roasted meats, handmade pastas
Last call for food: Mon–Thurs, 11 pm; Fri and Sat, midnight

Criolla Kitchen (Castro)
Eats: chicken and waffles, gumbo, sweet potato tater tots
Last call for food: midnight, Friday & Saturday; 11 pm, Sun–Thurs

Delarosa (Marina) *
Eats: proscuitto and argula pizza, carpaccio of beets, gnocchi with rock shrimp
Last call for food: 12:50 am, daily

District (SOMA)
Eats: cambazola cheese fondue, pear and endive salad, lamb meatballs in charmoula
Last call for food: late-night menu until midnight, Thurs–Sat

Don Pistos (North Beach)
Eats: tortilla soup, lamb ribs, tacos al pastor
Last call for food: Tues–Sun, 12:30 am

El Farolito (Mission) *
Eats: three-ton burritos
Last call for food: 3 am, Sun–Thurs; 4 am, Fri and Sat

El Zocalo (Bernal Heights) *
Eats: pupusas, plantains and beans
Last call for food: 3 am, daily

Gaspare (Outer Richmond)
Eats: old-school thin-crust pizzas; old-school antipasto misto
Last call for food: 11 pm, Sun–Thurs; midnight, Fri and Sat

Genki Ramen (Richmond) *
Eats: kimchi ramen, shrimp tempura, seaweed salad
Last call for food: 11 pm, Sun–Thurs; 1 am, Fri and Sat

Globe (Jackson Square) *
Eats: tuna tartare, salad lardon, rib-eye with potato gratin
Last call for food: 1 am, Mon–Sat; midnight, Sun

Gitane (Union Square)
Eats: bacon bonbons, Pacific wild swordfish, French lentils
Last call for food: 11 pm, Tues–Wed; midnight, Thurs–Sat

Golden Boy Pizza (North Beach) *
Eats: pesto pizza, clam pizza
Last call for food: 12:30 pm, Sun–Thurs; 2:30 am, Fri and Sat

Grubstake (TenderNob) *
Eats: linguisa with eggs, French dip sandwich
Last call for food: 4 am, daily

Heaven’s Dog (SOMA) *
Eats: soup dumplings, kung pao tofu, chicken curry claypot
Last call for food: 1 am, Mon–Sat

Hecho (Union Square)
Eats: seared sashimi with cucumber and chili paste, yakimono of all sorts, shishito peppers
Last call for food: 11:30 pm (sushi bar), Sun–Thurs; 11:30 pm (kitchen) and 12:30 am (sushi bar), Fri and Sat

Katana-Ya (Tenderloin) *
Eats: kimchee fried rice, chasu ramen, sushi
Last call for food: 1 am, daily

King of Thai Noodle (Union Square)*
* several locations
Eats: wonton noodle soup with greens, yellow chicken curry
Last call for food: 1 am, daily

Liverpool Lil’s (Cow Hollow)
Eats: french onion soup, paella, beer-battered fish and chips
Last call for food: 11 pm Sun and Mon; 12 am, Tues and Wed; 1 am, Thurs–Sat

Locanda (Mission)
Eats: handmade pastas, roasted meats, pizza bianca
Last call for food: daily until midnight

Lucky Dogs (Cow Hollow) *
Eats: chicken apple sausage, Louisiana hot link, bacon-wrapped dog, Reuben dog
Last call for food: 2:30 am, Fri and Sat

Magnolia Pub + Brewery (Upper Haight)
Eats: burgers, maple-laquered pork chop
Last call for food: midnight, daily

The Monk’s Kettle (Mission) *
Eats: house-made veggie burger, giant pretzel, chicken paillard
Last call for food: 1 am, daily

Namu (Inner Richmond) *
Eats: cold soba noodles, shiitake dumplings, crispy vegetable tempura
Last call for food: 10:30 pm, Sun–Tues; 12 am, Wed–Sat

Nombe (Mission) *
Eats: ramen, chicken wings with honey and chili, blood orange salad
Last call for food: 10 pm, Wed, Thurs, Sun; 11:30 pm, Fri and Sat

Nopa (NOPA) *
Eats: warm chicory salad, Moroccan vegetable tangine, hamburger
Last call for food: 1 am, daily

Osha Thai Noodle Café (TenderNob) *
Eats: fried squid balls, greem papaya salad with salty crab, pad khee mao
Last call for food: 1 am, Sun–Thurs; 3 am, Fri and Sat

Panchitas #2 (Mission) *
Eats: pupusas!
Last call for food: 2:30 am, daily

Ryoko’s (Nob Hill) *
Eats: sushi, sushi, sushi
Last call for food: 1:30 am, daily

Starbelly (Castro)
Eats: chicken liver terrine, porchetta
Last call for food: 11 pm, Sun–Thurs; midnight, Fri and Sat

Tacolicious (Marina)
Eats: carnitas tacos, tuna tostada, Marina Girl salad
Last call for food: 11 pm, Sun–Wed; midnight, Thurs–Sat

Yuet Lee (North Beach) *
Eats: clams in black bean sauce, salt-and-pepper squid
Last call for food: midnight, Sun–Thurs; 3 am, Fri and Sat; closed Tues

Zuni Café (Hayes Valley)
Eats: roasted chicken and bread salad, ricotta gnocchi, shoestring potatoes
Last call for food: 11 pm, Sun, Tues–Thur; midnight, Fri and Sat; closed Mon

By Sara Deseren

This is our weekly guest post from our friends at 7×7, a site that keeps you up on the best of SF. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a fantastic Date Night idea each week. Be sure to check out their blog for hourly doses of the best of SF.

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