Lasagna Soup

This was wonderful!

And it gave me another plus for the Instant Pot

over a slow cooker.

I'm in and out of the house most days.

When I have something cooking in the slow cooker,

while it smells wonderful,

it makes me hungry ALL day!

 This would have done me in.

https://temeculablogs.com/instant-pot-lasagna-soup/

The only change I made to the recipe was that

I used bulk Italian sausage 

instead of ground beef.

I say, when you see a chance for more flavor, 

take it!

Can You Instant Pot It?

In the spirit of

Good Mythical Morning, 

who love to ask if you can 

(insert word that is not a verb)

it.

Meatloaf.
Can you?

(Photo disclaimer, I am not a food photographer
and don't ever claim to be. Those colors are horrific!)
Nonetheless,

Why, YES! You can!

I looked around to figure out the method

people were using and

determined I could

use my family recipe for meatloaf.

It seems 2 pounds of meat was the 

consistent amount used.

Most of the recipes I found have you cook

potatoes in the pot at the same time

and then mash them.

I imagine, 

in my limited knowledge of all things Instant Pot,

part of the reasoning is, 

you have to have some liquid in the pot 

to achieve pressure cooking status.

I think.

I added 3 smashed cloves of garlic along with

one cup of chicken stock

to about 6-8 quartered potatoes.

I put a piece of foil over 

the rack and built my meatloaf on that

and then placed that right on top of the potatoes.

The recipes I found said to cook on high for 25 minutes.

Mine took more like 30 minutes.

(and do a quick release)

It was also suggested you throw it under the 

broiler for 5 minutes.

The meat is a little pale right out of the pot.

Given that you've cooked it on the foil lined rack, 

transferring it to a sheet pan is not problem

and no mess.

And!!! It slices!!!

I was afraid it would be mushy, all the meat I've

cooked so far has been fall apart tender. 

And the potatoes were amazing!

I may be being won over.....

Instant Pot Musings

I'm pretty sure that my insights into 

this contraption are so profound

that blog posts must ensue.

First, the gasket thing stinks to high heaven.

I don't suppose it's a problem for the general population

 but for me with the sensitive sense of smell

 and migraines triggered by smell, it's an issue.

The smell does not appear to affect the taste of the food

 I cook in it, but I have seen through my internet trolling, 

most people have two gaskets, one for savory and one for sweet.

I think I'm not nuts.

I will store my pot in the basement or garage.

Problem solved.

Second, I'm thinking, 

if some dishes I cook in the oven can be 

converted to this thing 

then my summer repertoire just opened wide up.

Third, if I had to choose between this

and a slow cooker, 

I think this thing wins

because it can slow cook as well.

But then, I own 3 slow cookers.

All varying sizes.

So, maybe if I'm not choosing for me.

Oh! And when they tell you you can cook
whatever in like 5 minutes,
they neglect to mention there are like 10 minutes
of waiting for it to get enough pressure and then
10-40 minutes once it's done cooking
for the pressure to dissipate.
I just feel that's a bit of false advertising
by the community at large.
But that's just me.
Still haven't drunk the Kool Aid.

And these are my deep thoughts

approximately three weeks in.

...Hmmmmm..... 

Instant Pot VS 12 Nights Of Christmas Wine

OK, the Instant Pot never really stood a chance.

But, I gotta say, I was SHOCKED by the number

of my friends who voted Instant Pot when I put it up for a vote.

Have you MET me???

And then the question  begs,

Have you met my mother and aunt?

My husband was the wise man 

who came bearing gifts of wine, 

Mom and Big? The pot :)

So now I am on a journey to determine if I will

drink of the Instant Pot Kool Aid that is 

taking Facebook and Pinterest by storm.

At first I was surprised to learn 

that I had mistaken the word 

"instant"

for

"magic".

It's not magic. 

You still have to prep.

(chop, peel, measure)

It's nice that you can saute right in the pot.

Sweat those onions, brown that meat.

See? Not magic.

I have cooked a whopping three meals in it thus far

and all three were delicious.

I'm still on the fence as to whether it's 

that much better than a slow cooker.

I think you have to decide, do I want to do 

the grunt labor 

at the start of the day or the end.

Most days it's 6 to one, half dozen to the other.

Yesterday may have tipped the scales in its favor.

I walked in the door at 4:30 

and had dinner on the table at 5:30.

This Honey Bourbon Chicken was fantastic.

And don't be mislead, there is NO bourbon in it.

The internet is in a bit of a fight as to why 

it's called this, but bottom line, don't worry when you don't see

bourbon in the ingredients.

It's not there.

Ava loved it, Mike was not as enthused but 

it was a bit sweet, so I will try cutting back on the honey

the next time I make it.

I'm kind of thinking of trying meatloaf in it tonight.

Maybe.

I dunno.

https://onceamonthmeals.com/recipes/instant-pot-honey-bourbon-chicken-traditional-version/