Schlueter - Cooking with your Instant Pot® Mini: 100 quick & easy recipes for 3-quart models

Its been called the miracle pot, the genius pot, and the it-made-me-love-cooking-again-pot. (And, of course, the ever-popular Instapot.) Theres no doubt about it: the Instant Pot has changed the way we cook today. Cooking with the Instant Pot is quick, easy, and fun, and home cooks, including me, enjoy the versatility and ease of getting delicious, creative meals on the table in a hurry. Plus, every meal can be a one-pot dish making cleanup a breeze.

The folks at Instant Potgeniuses that they areproduced the Instant Pot Mini, the 3-quart version of the very popular 6- and 8-quart models, and pot heads like me are obsessed.

As expected, the compact models are hugely popular. It is perfect for home cooks looking for smaller portions or as a second (or third?) device for those who want to own multiple pots for culinary creation.

Although there is a plethora of recipes for the Instant Pot community, not all available recipes can just be downsized for the Instant Pot Mini. Its a pressure cooker after all, and the food-to-liquid-to-spices ratio is critical for tasty success. That is why I wrote this book. All 100 recipes youll find here are specifically created for the Instant Pot Mini models.

With this book youll be able to enjoy wonderful recipes without complicated conversions. After all, who wants to figure out what is one half of one third of a teaspoon, right? Will these recipes really work in your Instant Pot Mini? The answer is yes! The velvety Creamy Mac & Cheese () will all workno calculations necessary. Just follow the simple instructions and prepare to be amazed by your extraordinary creations.

HEATHER SCHLUETER

Understanding cooking with your Instant Pot appliance involves a learning curve for all. But jump right on it and I think you will become an expert in no time! These are some of my tips and tricks for delicious results using the Instant Pot Mini.

It Takes Some Time to Come to Pressure

Yes, Instant Pot multicookers cook meals far faster than traditional cooking methods. But it is important to keep in mind that the appliance takes time to build pressure. Many existing recipes are a bit misleading in that they only discuss the cooking time. Depending on the temperature and volume of food placed in the inner pot, the pressurization time can be anywhere from a couple of minutes to more than 15 minutes. The cooking time begins after the Instant Pot display reads on as it comes to full pressure. Next, the pressure-keeping time will appear once the appliance has reached full pressure. To help you plan accordingly, I have provided hands-on time (food prep time), cooking time (the amount of time to set the LED Display to cook), and total time, which includes pressurization and release times.

Use the Utensils That Come with the Unit

Yes, the plastic utensils that are packaged with the Instant Pot multicooker are easy to overlook, toss in the back of a drawer and never use. But I think they are actually helpful. The curve of the spatula and the handle fit inside the appliance like pieces of a puzzle. And the measuring cup holds the exact amount of liquid needed when using the steaming rack.

Consider Buying Additional Silicone Rings

Silicone is wonderful. It creates a perfect airtight seal necessary for proper pressure cooking in the appliance. That being said, it does have a tendency to absorb odors from previously cooked foods. Many users, including me, prefer to purchase additional silicone sealing rings and switch them out when making savory or sweet dishes. Additional silicone rings can be found on the Internet, but I recommend that you use only Genuine Instant Pot silicone rings, as using any other rings will void your warranty. (Check your appliance manual about this.) When purchasing silicone rings, be sure to choose the right size for your lid.

The Pot Has a Lid Holder

Easily disguised, the slots on the side handles of the appliance double as a resting place for the lid. When the lid is off, the two plastic extensions at the base of the handle fit perfectly into those slots, securely holding the lid at a 90-degree angle. Genius!

Altitude Does Make a Difference

Those at high altitude may have to increase the cooking times by a few minutes. Increase cooking time by 15 percent at 5,000 feet and an additional 5 percent for every additional 1,000 feet.

Protect Your Cabinets from Pressure

The applinace releases steam from the pressure valve on the lid at the end of the cooking cycle. Although the valve is on the back of the lid, be aware of low-hanging overhead cabinets. Over time, repeated steam exposure can discolor the underside or faces of the cabinets. To avoid this issue, take precaution by rotating the unit and pulling it to the edge of the counter so the release valve is not directly under the overhanging cabinets.

Whats with All Those Buttons?

At first glance an Instant Pot multicooker can be a little intimidating. But it doesnt take long to realize that the genius is in its simplicity. All of the buttons are presets and designed to make cooking simple. Though preset settings have determined times, cooking modes, and pressure levels, the settings can be changed manually by pressing the buttons repeatedly until the desired setting is achieved. Here is a brief description of each function button, which can also be found in the Instant Pot manual.

DISPLAY PANEL This panel indicates time, mode, and pressure level. The Less, Normal, and More indicator represents the temperature. The Low and High indicator represents cooking mode. The vast majority of pressure cooking will be done at normal mode and high pressure.