The multifunction electric pressure cooker (such as the Instant Pot) is the hottest appliance on the market these days, cooking up tender, delicious meals in just minutes. Put that pressure cooker to use with this comprehensive lineup of recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Inside Instant Meals magazine, you’ll find appetizers such as dips, meatballs, and deviled eggs; hearty comfort foods like risotto and mac and cheese; and ribs, sandwiches, from-the-freezer soups, and sweet desserts.
WHAT IS A MULTIFUNCTION COOKER? • These appliances are most often used for their pressure-cooker setting but feature other cooking functions, such as slow-cook and options for making yogurt, rice, multigrains, and chili. They usually include the all-purpose functions of browning and sautéeing as well. When choosing a new cooker, focus on the functions you care most about, and choose a dependable manufacturer to ensure availability of parts and service. Here are some other points to consider before you buy.
MULTIFUNCTION COOKER BASICS • Electric multifunction cookers look like countertop slow cookers, and they usually have that function. Read the directions for your specific model carefully. Once you get started, you’ll see how easy they are to operate—just hit a button or two depending on what you’re cooking. The cooker will take charge, monitoring temperature and time for perfect doneness.
BREAKFAST GREATS • When skipping breakfast sounds better than another bowl of cold flakes, rethink your options. The pressure cooker speeds up cook times and keeps cleanup at a minimum, making a hot meal doable for busy mornings and lazy weekends.
EGGS UNDER PRESSURE • For an amazingly simple breakfast fix, try hard-cooked (or opt for soft- or medium-cooked) eggs in the pressure cooker. Here’s how:
YOGURT YOUR WAY • Craft creamy homemade yogurt in a slow cooker or multifunction electric pressure cooker—it’s simple! Make a batch of plain yogurt or strain it for Greek-style, then add a variety of flavors.
YOGURT USES • Think outside the carton. Homemade yogurt can go sweet or savory.
SKINNY Weeknight Meals • Here’s proof that feeding your busy family healthful dinners—featuring flavors they already love—is totally doable under pressure
SIDES TO KEEP ON HAND • Pair a quick meal with an equally simple side dish from the freezer, fridge, or pantry.
SPICE MARKET CHICKEN • Chicken takes on the flavors of India, Morocco, Turkey, China, and more when cooked with global spices and condiments
5 WORLD SPICES TO TRY • Pick up these top spice picks to perk up chicken, meat, fish, pasta, and veggies.
GO SLOW! 1 BIG BATCH = 3 DINNERS • Cook smarter, not harder. Each of these slow cooker recipes simmers enough food for the first night plus extras to make into two additional quick and creative meals.
Load ’Em Up! SANDWICHES • Think hearty, hot, and ultrasatisfying: These juicy sandwiches offer fresh, bold flavors and promise to fill you up. Keep them in mind for potlucks, tailgates, and family suppers.
SANDWICH EVOLUTION • Legend credits John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich, for popularizing the sandwich in 1762, when he requested a simple meal that wouldn’t disrupt his card game. That initial English meat-and-bread combo morphed into an American favorite that now holds endless possibilities. Add personality to your sandwich by switching up the bread.
RIB NIGHT • The powerful steam in a pressure cooker tenderizes pork back ribs and beef short ribs while speeding up cooking time to 30 minutes or less. Add them to your any-day list.
CRAVING COMFORT MAC AND CHEESE AND SO MUCH MORE • The pressure cooker is a natural at turning out meals from the pantry, featuring rice, pasta, and whole grains.
RICE and WHOLE GRAINS CHEAT...