If you are anything like me, dinner can be a struggle.  Between the carpools, homework….well, there are many days, it’s breakfast for dinner (Waffles, anyone?) or smorgasborg (Anything goes!)!  My mom called me one day and said, “I have the answer to your busy day problems!  I’m sending you an Instant Pot.”  A what?!?!

A friend of hers has one and swears by it.  She loved it so much she sent one to each of her daughters-in-law.  Well, she’s right!  Wow!  This mighty pot can make chicken breasts in 12 minutes that taste like they’ve been slow-cooked for 8 hours!  I put in a bottle of this fabulous marinade and 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts and, Voila!  Amazing chicken for tacos in 12 minutes!  Enough for dinner the next day, too.

My mom also sent me this cookbook with lots of recipes.  I’ve made a pot roast with carrots and potatoes in 45 minutes!  A friend with 7 kids (yes, 7!) says it’s how she gets dinner for 9 on the table most nights.  I’m still trying recipes but I can’t get over how great it as all been.

Ok. So what is the Instant Pot?  It is a programmable Electric Pressure Cooker.  I know.  Sounds a bit retro…like someone coming to sell you cookware in the 70s.  Remember SaladMaster?  I digress…Think slow cooker but fast.  This is great for when you forgot to put your roast on before noon and need dinner stat.  There are several sizes.  I have the 8Qt version but there are 5Qt and 6Qt as well.  All are available with Amazon Prime and you could get the 6Qt today and the 8Qt tomorrow!  Shipping almost as fast as the Pot!

Do you have one?  If so, send me your favorite recipes and I’ll post them for everyone.  If not, get one and let’s learn new recipes together!  A few Instagram friends have recommended this cookbook that I just ordered.  It’s been on my list anyway so another reason to order it.

I’ve also created a search function on my traditional recipes that will modify to cook in the Instant Pot.  Just go to the search bar at the bottom of the right column and search Instant Pot.

Here’s to getting back in the swing and dinner on the table with ease!

xo

Alicia

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Photos by Mary Hafner