To evangelise about my new Instantpot

[NorthStarGrassman]

I know I am, because there have definitely been other threads doing the same thing, but DH and the kids are just looking at me blankly and I am so excited I want to tell people about it!

I’ve had it three days. First day just got it out of the box, admired its shininess, did the water test and spent hours googling incomprehensible American recipes.

Day 2 made pasta and meatballs. Stuck meatballs, pasta, water and few other bits in pot. Turned it on. 10mins later - delicious pasta dinner!

Today I had to go out for 20mins or so at tea time to pick up dd. Put sausages in oven, carrots and potatoes (separated with steamer basket) in Instant pot. Turned it on. Came back to cooked potatoes and carrots! And I don’t know if it was the steaming but they were the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever made.

I’m constantly running around depositing and collecting children at inconvenient times and having to feed them quickly. This is going to CHANGE MY LIFE. I have already spent too much money buying exciting accessories for it.

Anyone else want to come and discuss the general fabulousness of an Instant pot with me?!

I have similar problems with collection times etc... Watching with interest.

I haven't got one, because I caught figure out how they're much different to an oven. I love a gadget though, so watching with interest.

I've had mine since November...the novelty still hasn't worn off and I barely use my oven and hob, I cook probably five out of seven evening meals each week in it.

Have you made cheesecake in it yet?

There's a really excellent UK Facebook group with lots of tips and recipes.

I love mine. I mostly make stewed meat type meals - chilli or bolognese as a base . I have done some veg but havent yet mastered the art of timing properly so have had variable results. Ive thrown some stuff away as far too overcooked.
I did plonk some frozen belly pork slices in on top of sliced onions and dash out for an errand. By the time I got back I had perfectly cooked meat and delicious gravy all ready to go. Pity I forgot I needed veg but Im getting there

It’s different to an oven because it’s a pressure cooker so you can cook things much faster. I haven’t tried yet but it should be able to do things like a stew or pot roast in half an hour ish - they’ve never been a midweek option for me and I have never been organised enough to get a slow cooker going in the morning! Also you can cook things you would do on the hob like the potatoes I mashed or rice, and it’ll stop when the time’s up or you can delay the start.

I haven’t made the cheesecake yet because I’m the only person in the house who would eat it Need to invite some people over for cheesecake! Glad the novelty doesn’t wear off quick. I can see me using this most nights too.

I toddled off to investigate the facebook page. I love a good recommendation me.
Anyway I'm obviously not cut out for the group because it tells you to answer 3 questions but only asks you one question.
Im not firing on all cylinders today so Im obviously missing something - any clues?

I really want one; but they always seem to be out of stock. Can I ask where you got yours from. PLEASE.

It is honestly the greatest kitchen gadget I have ever owned.
One of my favourites is minestrone soup.

YADNBU. Instant pot is awesome!

Where did you get the spaghetti and meatball recipe from? I need to try it.

May I suggest you try the Colombian chicken stew recipe? It's v easy, and cheap, but v tasty. I add garlic but otherwise just follow this:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.seriouseats.com/amp/recipes/2012/05/colombian-chicken-stew-with-potatoes-tomato-onion-recipe.html

I got it from Amazon. I think they’re still in stock there now although I had to wait a bit for it to be delivered. A friend is on the Facebook group and told me there were back in stock.

Facebook group also too complicated for me to join but the amazon reviews are very informative and there are loads of recipes and articles on the web, even if I did read one that called for 2 cans of cheese

Oh and pulled pork! Although that's not quick, it does take 2 hours. It usually takes 6+ in the slow cooker, so is an improvement

Off to check out amazon...…..thanks OP.

How it differs from an oven? Well, you can cook frozen chicken in it. Bits or whole. OK, you don't get a crispy skin - but neither do you get dry chicken..

I also got one 3 days ago! I have made soup and risotto (fairly successfull) And baked potatoes (unsuccessful ) .

I'm going to make yoghurt at the weekend!

Ooh thank you for the recipe! I’m quite excited about trying lots of new things in it.

I sort of made up the meatball one based on stuff I had as I really wanted to use the pot!

Sautéed chopped onions and garlic until they softened using the sauté thing in the pot, added meatballs and mushrooms as sautéed a bit more. Chucked in butterfly pasta and enough stock to just cover. Added tin of tomatoes on top (I read that you should never put tomatoes directly on the bottom of the pot because they will stick and cause a burn error). Pressure cooked for 6min, did the quick pressure release thing and then stirred it all around. I hadn’t quite put enough liquid in so I loosened it up with a spoonful of creme fraiche which worked quite well. It was lovely!

I've had mine about 18 months, the novelty has worn off and I don't use it as often as I used to but still love it. My problems is remembering how long to do things for if they are prone to overcooking like fish and veg. I love being able to put it on and go out, love the absence of cooking smells, love the keep warm and saute features. I make yogurt in it and the yogurt setting is perfect for rising dough too (my mixing bowl just fits over the IP pot and I balance the lid on top).

I’m thinking of trying pot in pot next time! Do you need to add liquid to the smaller pot? So if for example you were cooking vegetables in the smaller pot (solid based rather than steamer) would you need to give them their own liquid or will they steam in the big pot liquid?

Agree with everyone. Had mine for a year or so, but got round to putting a whole, frozen chicken in it a couple of days ago. An hour or so later, (no idea exactly how long it took to come to pressure) had a super tender lovely chicken to dish up.

Never made the cheesecake and the boiled egg people are nutters 😂

I have bored the shit out of everyone banging on about mine.

Google Hip Pressure Cooking. All the recipes are brilliant, the 7 minute risotto is amazing and the ragu recipe is too.

I love love love mine

Today I have cooked baby potatoes and boiled eggs four 4 mins under manual pressure to make ham egg and potato salad

I also cook ribs, wings and corn on the cob in the pot if we are having a bbq and finish them off on the bbq.

Toool. They are nutters, but if you are cooking potatoes it would be rude not to pop a couple of eggs in!

Ha ha I have already bored the shit out of my family and I’m only in day 3. Haven’t really started on my friends

Can I join? I’ve had one for ages but haven’t used it for various reasons and now I’m a bit scared!! I’ve finally got space to have it out on the worktop and need to find good (non American) recipes

Oh bollocks BovrilonToast, clearly boiling eggs whilst doing anything else is a superbly brilliant idea 😁

But you must have read some instantpot posts on facebook that did make you conclude that some people have an unhealthy interest in boiled eggs......... or is it just me? Its probably just me .....😥

Do it Magstermay! Have you tried the water test yet? Maybe give that a go first to boost your confidence. It’s really very easy and although there are loads of buttons I can’t see that I will have much need for any of them apart from sauté and pressure cook.

I did notice when perusing amazon for exciting accessories that you can buy towers of egg racks to cook an unseemly number of eggs!