Taste of Home - 100 Dishes Trimmed Down for Healthy Families

Lets get cooking! Its a snap to simmer a winner any night of the week when you have an Instant Pot and your copy of Skinny Instant Pot Cookbook at the ready. These popular devices are a great way for todays cooks to prepare healthy meals. Best of all, each recipe found here was tested in an Instant Pot by the Taste of Home Test Kitchen and reviewed by a registered dietitian, so youre guaranteed success.

People may use instant pot to refer to any electric pressure cooker, but Instant Pot is actually the brand name for a popular line of electric pressure cookers. The cooker is an airtight pot that cooks food quickly using steam pressure. When it comes to selecting an electric pressure cooker, there are actually several brands and sizes to choose from.

When determining the best device for you, consider how many people you cook for. This will help narrow the selection to the cooker thats the right size for your needs. Next think about the features various models offer. For example: Is a yogurt-making option something youd use regularly?

Electric pressure cookers have a lid that forms an airtight seal to create pressure; an inner pot that holds the food; and an outer pot with a control panel. For the most part, the buttons on the control panel are to help you set a cooking time. For example, if there is a fish button, pressing it will likely mean your food will cook for a short time. Some electric pressure cookers have a saute feature and others even offer a sterilize function. Most also include a slow-cook option, which allows you to cook your food slowly instead of pressure-cooking it.

No matter what cooker youre using, youll need to learn how to release the pressure safely. Because the escaping steam is hot enough to burn you, its imperative you read and understand the directions that come with your pot for releasing pressure. Generally speaking, youll either use a quick-release method (which involves pressing a handle or button) or the natural-release method (where the cooker cools down and releases pressure naturally). Always make sure the hole on top of the pressure-release is facing away from you before pressing the release button. And remember that the quick-release method is not suitable for soups (or anything with a large liquid volume) and cereals (or any dish with a high starch content), because quick-release may cause food to splatter out with the steam.

Follow the manufacturers directions for cleaning your electric pressure cooker and review the tips and ideas , and youll be cooking with it for years to come.

Todays home cooks are turning to Instant Pots for everything from appetizers to desserts. But are they getting the ultimate out of these incredible kitchen helpers? Review these handy tips and see how you can save even more time and effort when using your Instant Pot.

As soon as you get your cooker, start out by learning how to boil water in it. Pour about 1 cup of water into the inner pot so you will gain a sense of where the maximum fill line is. Seal the lid and select a short cook time. Within 5 minutes, the water should heat up and build pressure, at which point the pressure will release naturally. This is also a good time to learn how to use the quick-release method.

You can use your pot as a rice cooker. It takes about the same amount of time as cooking on the stovetop, with walk-away convenience, easy cleanup and perfect results every time.

Looking for a side of steamed veggies? Dont forget that these devices make great steamers. You can even use your Instant Pot to steam hard-boiled eggsand you wont believe how easy they are to peel.

This is one of the reasons people love Instant Pots. The saute function browns meats in the inner pot without dirtying a pan on the stovetop. You can also use this function on the low setting to simmer foods. This means you can simmer stock or beans after pressure-cooking them. And that means you can make super fast soups and stewsall in one pot.

To save time, let the pot cool down slightly, then manually release the pressure. The steam will be very hot, so be careful when moving the release to vent. A cool, wet towel placed on the lid can help speed up the release. Read the release directions that came with your cooker.

The best way to make the most of all-in-one cookers is to first understand what they can do and how they can save you time. A little bit of know-how goes a long way! Turn the page for more tips and hints on using your device.

HOW PRESSURE-COOKING WORKS FOR YOU

Pressure cookers build up hot steam and raise the pressure and temperature to simulate long braising, boiling or simmering. The resulting flavor is just as terrific as if you stood and stirred a bubbling pot all day.

Using a multipurpose cooker requires some reading and practice, so be patient. It will definitely be worth it in the end. Keep these hints in mind when using your cooker:

• Read the instruction manual for your electric pressure cooker before you make anything. Not all brands and models are the same, so get to know your pot!
• For food safety and efficiency, the total amount of food and liquid should never exceed the maximum level (also known as the max line or the fill line) indicated in the pot.
• Make sure the pressure-release valve is closed before you start cooking. Even the pros at the Taste of Home Test Kitchen have forgotten to close the valve and returned to find the pot venting instead of building pressure.
• The pressure-release valve is supposed to feel loose to the touch. The pressure-release handle works simply by applying pressure on the release pipe. Since the contact between the handle and the pipe is not fully sealed, the valve may release a little bit of steam while the food cooks.
• The power cord on some models is removable, which makes the appliance easier to store. If you plug it in and the light does not go on, check the cord. Is it attached securely? When the cooker isnt in use, consider storing the cord in the inner pot.
• After each use, remove and clean the rubber sealing ring, pressure-release valve and anti-block shield. See pages 10 and 11 for more on cleaning your electric pressure cooker.
• If your pot starts to smell like food even after cleaning it, put the sealing ring through the dishwasher. If that doesnt work, try steam cleaning: Pour 2 cups water and 1 Tbsp. lemon zest into the inner pot. Place the lid and run the steam program for 2 minutes. Carefully remove the sealing ring and let it air dry.
• Consider purchasing a separate sealing ring, using one for savory foods and one for sweet treats or foods with delicate flavors.

We asked Instant Pot fans to share their favorite hints and tips. Heres how they get the most out of an all-in-one cooker: