alt="Image"/> Makes homemade broths and stocks without the smell or worry of leaving them simmering on the stove unattended
Preserves nutrients: lack of air exposure means nutrients don’t oxidize
Who Is an Instant Pot Right For?
Someone looking to make large batches of food to enjoy throughout the week
Someone who (or whose family) doesn’t mind leftovers
Someone who (or whose family) is okay with “softer” food textures. The Instant Pot doesn’t really do crispy or crunchy.
Someone who loves “set it and forget it” meals
Someone who sometimes needs last-minute dinners for a group or family
There are two primary types of Instant Pot. I have
the Duo, which is the original Instant Pot model,
and the instructions in this book refer to the Duo
model. I have used the Ultra model, and I do not find
it as user friendly. It is also more expensive, and I’m
not interested in the extra features it offers (such as
sterilizing jars and sous-vide functionality). That said,
I highly recommend that you do your own research
before choosing your model. If you do have the Ultra,
the instructions in this book should easily translate.
Keep your manual in the kitchen just in case.
Getting Started with the Instant Pot
Make sure the float valve and sealing ring are clean and in the right place and that the lid is properly placed.
Don’t fill to the max if making something that expands, like oatmeal or pasta, as it can overflow.
The sauté function is great for browning and caramelizing before cooking, and you can set it to low, medium, or high. You have 10 seconds to adjust before it starts. Press “Cancel” or “Keep Warm” to stop sautéing.
When you’re ready to pressure cook, turn the lid clockwise to the locked position.
Venting versus Sealing: “Sealing” means the pressure cannot escape; “Venting” means it is releasing pressure. Make sure it’s on “Sealing” when you start cooking.
The Instant Pot has pre-set modes to guide you for certain kinds of dishes.
With rice, ignore the initial number it shows. The Instant Pot will adjust based on the volume. With all other functions, the Instant Pot will show the
most common time, but you might want to adjust
based on what you’re cooking. With these, you can
also choose between “Less,” “Normal,” and “More”
(25 minutes, 30 minutes, and 40 minutes).
Alternately, you can choose “Manual” and use the plus and minus signs to choose your own time setting.
It can take 10 minutes or so to reach cooking pressure. While pressure is building, the read-out will say “On.” When it changes to numbers and the pressure indicator pops up, it’s starting to cook.
Don’t panic if you see steam coming out during the cooking process. As long as it’s sealed, you’re good.
There are two ways to release steam: 1) manual/ quick-release method or 2) natural pressure release. If using the manual method, place a cooking mitt or towel over the release valve or use the rice paddle to turn the valve to prevent burning. The manual release can take 30 seconds to 2 minutes. You’ll know it’s safe to open the lid when the pressure indicator falls down.
With the Duo model, the Instant Pot will switch automatically to “Keep Warm.” With the Ultra, you can choose whether to use this function. The “Keep Warm” setting will run up to 8 hours.
INSTANT POT TIPS
The rice paddle that comes with your Instant Pot can be used to switch the release valve from “Sealing” to “Venting.”
Don’t use the Instant Pot directly under shelves or cabinets. The steam that’s released from the pot can cause damage.
I use the 6-quart Instant Pot, and I suggest 1 quart for every person in your home (5-, 6-, and 8-quart models are available).
3
Create a relaxed and happy eating environment—
practice intuitive eating!
This section is particularly near and dear to my heart.
Learning how to have a truly healthy relationship
with food can be a lifelong journey, and it’s one that
I’m still on! But I have figured out something crucial
in the last few years, which is that our behavior
around food isn’t about the food. It’s about the way
we approach the eating experience, and it’s about
our perspectives in relation to food. Once I digested
this (pun intended!), I realized the importance of
becoming an intuitive eater, which allows me to focus
on what my body really needs, instead of what my
brain thinks it should or wants it to need. Below you
will find my top tips and tricks for intuitive eating.
