Should you buy an Instant Pot? Here’s what to know (and what to cook) in this new appliance.
Instant Pot. I’m sure you’ve heard a friend or two mention it at a simcha or an event; with the details of how she prepared dinner in 20 minutes, and even used frozen chicken out of her freezer to create the magic! But let me tell you, it ain’t so magical at all…
Being a foodie, I was all hyped up when I saw this amazing gadget. The Instant Pot hit the U.S. market in 2016 and sold over 200,000 units on Amazon in one day. It cooks foods that usually take longer super quick (even if they’re frozen). If soft and tender is the goal, the Instant Pot is supposed to do the job perfectly. It’s similar to a pressure cooker, but has a wider range of functions and can cook in a safer, more controlled atmosphere.
I added it to my Chanukah gift wish list and was overjoyed when it arrived. The first dish I made in my Instant Pot was cholent, and I used the slow cooker mode. Unfortunately, the Instant Pot doesn’t work the same as your Crock-Pot. My second dish was an amazing chicken dish, and I used frozen cutlets. Dinner was ready in half an hour and I couldn’t be happier. But when I opened the lid, I realized the chicken had fallen apart and my fussy kids did not want it. The adults had shredded chicken on a bun and licked their plate clean.
Spicy Italian Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 egg
Sauce:
- 30 oz tomato sauce
- 15 oz tomato juice
- 3 cups water, divided
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp basil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp sugar, or substitute
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 4 oz raw spaghetti noodles
Instructions
- Mix meatball mixture and form into balls.
- Combine sauce ingredients. Pour half of the sauce into your Instant Pot. Place formed meatballs on top. Pour remaining sauce on top.
- Add noodles with remaining water. If the noodles aren't fully covered, add more water.
- Press the manual button and set the timer for 10 minutes. Release pressure. Mix before serving.
I wasn’t planning to quit so fast, so I did my research and found that meatballs and spaghetti is usually a winner in every household. I tried the recipe above and was overjoyed when my entire family gave me great reviews.
It takes trial and error to learn what cooks well in the Instant Pot. Not all your family favorites can be prepared in one.
I’ll share my own experience, the pros and the cons.
Pros
- Dinner can be made in less than 30 minutes.
- You can use frozen cutlets or chicken and still have dinner ready in an hour.
- If your family enjoys meat sauce, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken soup, or stews, this product might be for you.
- You can use the outside base for dairy and meat; just replace the lid and bowl (ask your LOR, but most allow it).
- It’s great for working people. You set the timer and forget about dinner. Once the timer goes off, the setting switches to warm.
Cons
- Most dishes get mushed up and shredded so if you have picky eaters you might not enjoy this gadget.
- The lid is not dishwasher safe and is not easy to clean. The silicone ring gets a smell that’s hard to get rid of. You’ll need to replace it every few months.
- The lid beeps every time you open and close it (only the latest models) so you can’t use it Shabbos.
- It is a big appliance, so if you don’t have extra space you’d consider it a klutz.
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