With our next international trip not until Fall, we've been experimenting with trying to recreate some of the foods we had in Japan as well as past travel. We recently added an Instant Pot to our kitchen and are using it where recipes permit. We're somewhat late to the Instant Pot crowd, but for those still on the sidelines, the Instant Pot is an electrical cooker that can be used as a pressure cooker, steamer, sauté pan, slow cooker and warmer. For many dishes, the Instant Pot can be used as the sole cooking pan/pot - which is convenient when it comes to cleaning up.
We had a stovetop pressure cooker, but we never used it. The Instant Pot seems easier to use with digital controls and numerous safety features to prevent excessive or insufficient pressure, prevent food scorching and control temperature. One of the greatest advantages that we've found with the Instant Pot is the reduced amount of time devoted to actual cooking. Preparation time is likely about the same regardless of cooking method.
As examples of the time savings, we made split pea soup over 20 minutes of cook time, baby back ribs with an Asian inspired glaze in 30 minutes of cook time and a beef bolognese in 40 minutes of cook time. Without using a pressure cooker, the split peas would have required overnight soaking and 60-90 minutes of simmering.
If you haven't yet used an Instant Pot, I recommend considering the advantages. Amazon has about the lowest Instant Pot prices, along with Costco. The six quart size seems most convenient for us as we enjoy leftovers. Our next Instant Pot dishes will be a risotto (no continuous stirring!) and Coq au Vin.
Several of my favorite "go-to" recipes have been collected and tested from the following online sources:
As examples of the time savings, we made split pea soup over 20 minutes of cook time, baby back ribs with an Asian inspired glaze in 30 minutes of cook time and a beef bolognese in 40 minutes of cook time. Without using a pressure cooker, the split peas would have required overnight soaking and 60-90 minutes of simmering.
If you haven't yet used an Instant Pot, I recommend considering the advantages. Amazon has about the lowest Instant Pot prices, along with Costco. The six quart size seems most convenient for us as we enjoy leftovers. Our next Instant Pot dishes will be a risotto (no continuous stirring!) and Coq au Vin.
Several of my favorite "go-to" recipes have been collected and tested from the following online sources:
- justonecookbook.com, Namiko (Nami) Hirasawa Chen
- seriouseats.com, J. Kenji Lopez-Alt
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