Instant Pot Cooking Tips

Instant pot cooking is cooking with the aid of a multi-tasking device that makes the whole process easy. An instant pot is a steamer, yogurt maker, rice cooker, saute pan, and an electric pressure cooker with many programmed settings meant for you to set and forget. Using it may be a daunting task, especially if you are a beginner using instant pot. You can prepare any recipe using the instant pot. Here are some of the tips for using instant pots.

Start Slowly

Since many cooks feel at home with slow cookers, you should head in that direction to become familiar with the settings and buttons. The beauty of this device is its ability to saute, making braising easy. You only need to press the saute button then wait for the display to indicate hot before adding your food. When the food has browned, press the slow cooker button and set the timer depending on your recipe instructions. The instant pot will keep your food warm for six hours after cooking.

Cooking Under Pressure

Cooking under pressure with instant pots involves the following steps. Add ingredients, choose your cooking program, and release pressure, and your food is ready to be served. Cooking under pressure is, however, more nuanced. You should skip the pre-programmed settings as they usually do not fit the recipe. Cooking under pressure implies that soup is ready in less than 15 minutes, your rice will be ready in 5 minutes, and quinoa finished in a minute.

Choose the Way to Go

Instant pots take time to build up the pressure setting required for every recipe and also time to release the pressure. The quick-release (QR) requires you to turn the vent anti-clockwise using an oven mitt to avoid splattering the hot liquid. However, if time is not an issue to you, you can go for the natural pressure release (NPR) that happens on its own, in between 10 and 15 minutes.

Pre-Soak Always

One popular ingredient to pressure cook is dried beans. For the best results, you need to pre-soak your beans. This step will make for a creamier texture. If you want to skip this step, then you can pre-cook a cup of the dried beans in a cup of saltwater for a few mounted. Drain the beans, and they are recipe ready.

Check the Display When in Doubt

The red display on your instant pot will help you keep track of the progress. It will read on when preheating and when you set the cooking time, it will light up and count down on display. The keep-warm time is displayed with “L” on display. If “lid” flashes, it implies the top is set properly, so you should twist and try again.

Practice Using the Device

The more you use your instant pot, the better you will feel about using it. Whereas the makers emphasize proven safety features, always avoid touching the top of the pot when in use. Beware, and you will be fine using an instant pot.

These tips will help you easily make the best foods and recipes using your instant pot.