Have you ever wished for a kitchen assistant that could take your cooking to the next level? For years now, I’ve had the pleasure of relying on my trusty Instant Pot, and it’s become more than just a kitchen gadget—it’s a kitchen workhorse that has genuinely transformed my life in several ways. I’ve used it as a pressure cooker, slow cooker and more. The possibilities are endless. All these options are good on the main Instant Pot, the Duo Pro and the Pro Plus.
Instant Pot In a Nut Shell:
- Saves you time, that you could be spending with your family.
- It’s also a pressure cooker and slow cooker (multi-cooker functionality)
- Instant Pot has a gazillion of recipes online, an awesome Facebook Group (my go to!)
- It’s a one pot cooker (for dinner, desserts and even baking!)
The crowd favorite Instant Pot recipe is grape jelly meatballs. Any time I go to a potluck gathering, I am asked to bring my meatballs and they are always the first to go. One time I accidentally put in spicy bbq sauce instead of the tamer versions and guests raved about how good they were even though they were spicy. Go figure. The secret here is to use all beef (non-charbroiled) for the best tasting meatballs ever! Scroll down for the recipe which is a smaller portion for a family dinner, just add a salad and bread for an awesome meal. For a crowd, increase the amount as needed.
Pros of the Instant Pot
- Time Efficiency: The Instant Pot Duo Pro has brought immense time efficiency to my kitchen. In our fast-paced lives, being able to prepare meals in a fraction of the time it used to take with traditional cooking methods has been a game-changer. It means I can enjoy wholesome, homemade dinners even on my busiest days.
- Versatility and Creativity: The Instant Pot’s versatility has ignited my culinary creativity. From soups and stews to rice dishes and even cheesecakes, it’s a jack-of-all-trades that inspires me to try new recipes and experiment with flavors I wouldn’t have dared to explore before.
- Stress-Free Cooking: The “set it and forget it” nature of the Instant Pot takes away the stress of constantly monitoring a meal. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a weekend feast, I can start the cooking process, tend to other tasks, and return to a perfectly cooked meal.
- Healthier Eating: With the Instant Pot Duo Pro, I’ve found it easier to maintain a healthier diet. I can quickly whip up nutritious dishes with minimal oil, and the pressure cooking method retains more nutrients in the ingredients compared to other cooking techniques.
- Energy Savings: The Instant Pot’s energy efficiency has translated into tangible energy savings on my bills. It’s especially noticeable during the scorching summer months when I’d rather not heat up the kitchen with the oven.
- Culinary Confidence: Perhaps most importantly, the Instant Pot has boosted my culinary confidence. It consistently delivers superb results, making me feel like a seasoned chef, even when tackling complex recipes.
The Instant Pot has made my life better by saving time, inspiring creativity, reducing stress, promoting healthier eating, lowering energy costs, and giving me the confidence to tackle any culinary challenge. It’s more than just a kitchen gadget; it’s a kitchen companion that has become an integral part of my daily life.
Not just Instant Pot Pro Plus or Duo, they have other kitchen appliances!!
Imagine my delight while looking through dinnerware sets on a website. lo and behold an Instant Pot stand mixer appeared! Say what? They’ve even gotten into the coffee pod niche! Check them out! I’m also sharing a couple of my favorite Instant Pot recipes for you to enjoy!
Instant Pot Stand Mixer:
Features and Pros:
- Multi-Functional: This isn’t just a stand mixer; it’s a multi-functional kitchen wizard. It comes with various attachments for mixing, kneading, and even grinding. You can whip up everything from fluffy bread dough to silky cake batter effortlessly.
- Powerful Motor: The motor on this mixer is impressively robust, ensuring that it can handle even the toughest mixing tasks without breaking a sweat.
- Easy to Clean: The detachable parts make cleanup a breeze, and they’re dishwasher-safe, which is always a win in my book.
- Sturdy Construction: The build quality of this stand mixer is top-notch. It feels solid and durable, which gives me confidence that it will last for years to come.
Solo Coffee Maker:
Features and Pros:
- Compact and Stylish: This sleek coffee maker not only brews a mean cup of coffee but also looks great on your countertop, saving space and adding a touch of elegance to your kitchen.
- Customizable Brew Strength: Whether you like your morning pick-me-up strong or mild, this coffee maker lets you customize the brew strength to suit your taste.
- User-Friendly: The intuitive controls and easy-to-read display make brewing your favorite coffee a breeze, even before you’ve had your first cup.
- Consistent Brewing: It consistently delivers a delicious cup of coffee, and the water temperature is just right to extract the full flavor from your beans.
Frother:
Features and Pros:
- Perfect Froth: This standalone frother takes your morning coffee to cafe-quality levels. It’s perfect for creating lattes, cappuccinos, or simply adding a creamy finish to your coffee.
- Effortless Operation: With a simple push of a button, you can froth milk to perfection, making your coffee experience even more delightful.
- Easy to Clean: The frother’s detachable parts are a breeze to clean, ensuring that it doesn’t become a hassle in your daily routine.
- Quiet Operation: Unlike some frothers that can be noisy, this one operates quietly, so you can froth your milk without waking up the entire household.
Incorporating these kitchen marvels into my daily routine has been a game-changer. The Instant Pot, stand mixer, coffee maker, and frother are like a dream team that elevates my cooking and coffee game to new heights. It’s remarkable how these appliances have transformed the way I approach meal preparation and enjoy my daily caffeine fix. If you’re looking to revamp your kitchen, consider adding these gems to your collection for a more efficient and enjoyable culinary experience.
Favorite Instant Pot Recipes:
Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 pound frozen meatballs (precooked)
- 1 cup grape jelly
- 1/2 cup regular BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup honey BBQ sauce
Instructions:
- Place the frozen meatballs in the Instant Pot.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the grape jelly, regular BBQ sauce, and honey BBQ sauce until well combined.
- Pour the grape jelly and BBQ sauce mixture over the meatballs in the Instant Pot.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to the sealing position, and select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” mode. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a quick pressure release by carefully turning the valve to the venting position.
- Carefully open the Instant Pot lid, and give the meatballs a gentle stir to coat them evenly in the grape jelly and BBQ sauce mixture.
- Switch the Instant Pot to the “Keep Warm” setting to keep the meatballs warm for serving.
- Serve the grape jelly and BBQ sauce meatballs as an appetizer or over cooked rice or noodles for a tasty main course.
The combination of regular BBQ sauce and honey BBQ sauce will add a nice blend of smoky and sweet flavors to your meatballs. Enjoy!
Instant Pot Chicken and Vegetable Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup potatoes, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Place the Instant Pot on the sauté setting and add a bit of oil. Sauté the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery until they begin to soften, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the pot and sauté for another 2-3 minutes, just until they start to brown on the outside.
- Pour in the chicken broth, and add the diced potatoes, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Seal the Instant Pot and set it to cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Make sure the pressure release valve is closed.
- Once the cooking time is up, carefully release the pressure using the quick release valve.
- Open the Instant Pot, and using a fork or tongs, remove the chicken. Shred it with two forks and return it to the pot.
- Add the frozen peas and corn to the soup and stir until they are heated through.
- Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the warm and comforting chicken and vegetable soup with some crusty bread or crackers.
Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds beef stew meat, cubed
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 cups carrots, sliced
- 2 cups potatoes, diced
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
Instructions:
- In the Instant Pot, set it to the sauté setting and heat the olive oil. Add the cubed beef and brown it on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the beef and set it aside.
- Add the chopped onions to the Instant Pot and sauté for about 2 minutes until they become translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds.
- If desired, sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic and stir to coat, allowing it to cook for a minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Return the browned beef to the pot. Add the tomato paste, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine everything.
- Pour in the beef broth, carrots, and potatoes.
- Seal the Instant Pot and set it to cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Make sure the pressure release valve is closed.
- Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully use the quick release valve to release any remaining pressure.
- Open the Instant Pot, add the frozen peas and corn, and stir until they are heated through.
- Adjust the seasoning if needed, and serve the hearty beef stew hot.
These Instant Pot recipes are not only delicious but also incredibly convenient, making them perfect for busy weeknight dinners or cozy weekend meals. Enjoy the magic of time-saving cooking and explore the world of culinary possibilities with these kitchen treasures!