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Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot Yogurt Recipe — Dairy Free

July 3, 2020 by Rachel 31 Comments

If you’re new around here, you may notice that I try to incorporate as many dairy free / vegan recipes into our life as possible. The reason being? Two out of three kids have had some sort of dairy intolerance. If you’ve ever shopped for dairy free products, you know it can get expensive. This is especially true when you have two kids who love yogurt. Enter: dairy free Instant Pot yogurt.

I have long heard about people brave enough to make their own yogurt in the Instant Pot. But I was always super intimidated with the process. I mean, it sounds complicated so it must be, right? I decided to try and figure out exactly what I would need to make it and I quickly realized it was a lot easier than it seemed!

almond milk yogurt

What You’ll Need

Besides the Instant Pot, there were only a couple other “must-have” items for this recipe. First, you will need a vegan yogurt starter. I ordered this one from Amazon Prime and it arrived within 2 days. You’ll also need a cheesecloth, agar agar powder, and a reliable cooking thermometer.

Don’t Get Discouraged!

Once you have all of the items, it’s really quite simple! There’s a lot of waiting. Like, a lot. And I think the ‘time’ of all of it can be intimidating. But don’t let it be discouraging!

instant pot yogurt

Tips for Making the Best Instant Pot Almond Milk Yogurt

Whatever you do, do not skip the thermometer step! Also, be sure that once the incubation period starts, you leave it. Don’t try and sneak a peek at the yogurt; this will have a negative effect on the results.

Yield: 8 servings

Dairy Free Instant Pot Yogurt

plain yogurt
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 day
Additional Time 10 hours
Total Time 1 day 10 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 ¼ Cups of Ajoyo Sweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
  • ½ teaspoon of vegan yogurt starter
  • 4 teaspoons of powdered agar agar 

Instructions

    1. Turn the Instant Pot on by pressing the Yogurt button. Use this function and continue pressing until it reads “Boil.”
    2. Pour Ajoyo Almond Milk into the Instant Pot. Add the agar agar. Whisk to mix well. 
    3. Use a cooking or candy thermometer to watch the temperature of the mixture. Wait until the temperature reaches between 110 - 115 degrees fahrenheit (this will take only a few minutes). 
    4. Once the temperature is reached, turn the Instant Pot off.
    5. Use a mesh strainer lined with a cheesecloth to strain the mixture into a bowl. 
    6. Add the vegan yogurt starter to the mixture. Whisk until combined. 
    7. Pour the mixture back into the Instant Pot and close the lid. to start the incubation period.
    8. Press the yogurt function, set pressure to “normal,” and set time to 24:00 (hours).
    9. After 24 hours of incubation, remove the mixture from the Instant Pot and place in a covered container in the refrigerator for 10 hours. 
    10. Once the yogurt has sat refrigerated for 10 hours, mix the yogurt to combine (some will have settled). Sweeten to your taste (I prefer honey and almonds). 
    11. Enjoy!
© Rachel

Once your yogurt is done, top it with whatever you’d like. My kids prefer it a little on the sweeter side, so we use honey and strawberries to give it an extra kick! But I understand that a lot of vegans do not eat honey. You could also try sweetening with vanilla extract!

PIN FOR LATER

pin vegan yogurt
pin instant pot yogurt

Filed Under: dairy-free, easy recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, recipes, vegan Tagged With: dairy-free, easy recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, recipes, vegan

Instant Pot Dump + Start Creamy Ziti

May 1, 2020 by Rachel 3 Comments

Oh, hi! Just Martha freaking Stewart over here! I have some other content in the works, but I’ve honestly been cooking and creating recipes nonstop. It’s hard not to share such delicious (and easy!) recipes.

I created this recipe for the big kids. We’ve been eating so much pizza — from frozen to takeout — and I’m kind of over it. Knowing that they LOVE pizza, I decided to basically make “pizza pasta.” And, oh my gosh!, it was a huge hit.

My 4-year-old, Remy, was super excited about this meal because I let her help. Thankfully, it’s basically a dump-and-start meal, so it was easy to get her involved in the process. Plus, when she helps, it encourages her to eat something new and different. She’s so picky about food lately so I’m desperate for anything I can get.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this recipe. It’s SO not healthy! Ha! But it is incredible. It’s hearty, it’s fulfilling, and it’s just super yummy

Yield: 8

Instant Pot Dump and Go Creamy Ziti

Instant Pot Dump and Go Creamy Ziti
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of chicken broth
  • 2 cups of heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tsp of garlic powder
  • a pinch of salt
  • 16 ounces of ziti
  • 2 cups of pasta sauce
  • 1.5 cups of shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Dump all of the ingredients (minus the pasta sauce and cheese) into the Instant Pot. Make sure pasta is covered with liquid!
  2. Turn on your Instant Pot to Manual - high - for six minutes.
  3. Let naturally release for an additional 6 minutes, then quick release.
  4. Pour pasta sauce into cooked pasta mixture. Then slowly add cheeses until melty, ooey, and deliciously gooey.
  5. Serve immediately and ENJOY your delicious "Pizza Pasta"!

The before pictures? They aren’t so pretty. Dump and cook meals are not always pretty — but they ARE delicious!

So tell me this — what’s your trick for making kids eat what you make?!

PIN ME! -- EASY INSTANT POT CREAMY ZITI

Filed Under: #MomLife, brews + food, easy recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, recipe, recipes Tagged With: easy recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, recipes

Instant Pot Southwest Chicken Noodle Soup

March 27, 2020 by Rachel 17 Comments

I don’t know about you, but in times of crisis, I need to be busy. During this odd time in our history, being busy looks much different. No longer are we able break up our days by running to the store or the park.

Now breaking up my day means finding joy in things I maybe didn’t before. I’ve always, always, been a baker. Cookies, cakes, breads, and muffins were my go-to. Now I find myself creating new, yummy meals for my family.

Sure, some — like this Instant Pot Southwest Chicken Noodle Soup — have been hits! Others have not fared as well with the little ones. But when I do find something that everyone will eat, I add it to our weekly routine.

Soup in bowl with peppers and radishes

Instant Pot Meals

When my husband bought me an Instant Pot 4 years ago I responded with a hesitant “Thanks?” He had been a pro at pressure cooking on the stovetop, but I wasn’t even sure I wanted to learn how to use it. After making only rice and hard-boiled eggs for a year, I finally decided to up my Instant Pot game.

Once I really go started with my Instant Pot, I was hooked. I told everyone I could that they should get one. I convinced my mom and my sister to jump on board.

soup with peppers

Instant Pot Southwest Chicken Noodle Soup

When I first threw this recipe together, I was nervous. My kids are picky. One of them loves chicken, but hates corn. The other will eat corn all day, but never touch chicken. Meanwhile, I still need to keep our meals dairy-free for the baby.

To my delight, everyone — husband included! — loved this meal! I hope you’ll try it!

Yield: 8-10 servings

Instant Pot Southwest Chicken Noodle Soup

Soup in bowl with peppers and radishes

Dairy-free

Prep Time 28 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 32 ounce carton chicken stock
  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 can of corn
  • 4 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups of Ajoyo Original Unsweetened Almondmilk
  • 12 ounces of (your choice of) pasta
  • Cilantro
  • Jalapenos
  • Radishes

Instructions

    1. Add the entire carton of chicken stock to the Instant Pot along with four medium-sized chicken breasts, a can of corn (do not drain!), nutritional yeast, and Ajoyo Original Unsweetened Almondmilk. Set pressure to manual – high – 12 minutes.
    2. Instant Pot will take about 15 minutes to come to pressure. During that time, clean radishes, jalapeno peppers and cilantro. Thinly slice the radishes. Set aside. Slice jalapenos (remove the seeds to reduce heat). Set aside. Chop cilantro. Set aside.
    3. Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to the box. Drain. Set aside.
    4. Once the Instant Pot 12-minute timer goes off, let it slow release for 5 minutes. Then quick release the pressure.
    5. Remove chicken breasts with tongs. Using two forks, shred the chicken breasts and return to the Instant Pot. Salt and pepper to taste.
    6. Serve immediately. Garnish with radishes, jalapenos, and cilantro. Enjoy!

Tell me — what’s your favorite way to use your Instant Pot!?

PIN ME - Instant Pot Southwest Chicken Noodle Soup

Filed Under: brews + food, cooking, dairy-free, Instant Pot Recipes, recipe, recipes, wellness Tagged With: dairy-free, easy recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, recipes

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

April 18, 2019 by Rachel 10 Comments

Y’all know how much I love my Instant Pot. Well, back when I was an IP newbie, a friend mentioned how she made spaghetti in the instant pot. I remember saying “but why…?” to her.

A serious question, right? Cause spaghetti is basically the easiest meal as it is.

She assured me that it tastes different. Not just different, better! So I looked up a few different recipes and I gave it a shot.

The moment I tasted this pressure cooked spaghetti was truly the moment that changed things for me. I was no longer on the fence about my Instant Pot. I was a full-fledged convert. When I told my husband how I couldn’t believe how much better it tasted, he basically scoffed at me and said “Well, yeah. Of course it does.”

See, he’s been a long-time proponent for pressure cooking foods. I, however, was on the fence. He told me that the reason simple foods, like pasta, just taste better when cooked under pressure is that the food absorbs all of the flavors. The pasta is chock full of the rich and creamy flavors from even the most simple of red sauces.

On a personal mission to completely perfect the IP Spaghetti, I took note of several recipes and modified accordingly. I’d love for you to try it! I truly think is the perfect Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce recipe!

[gmc_recipe 14067]

What’s your favorite

Instant Pot recipe?!

 

Filed Under: brews + food, easy recipes, food, Instant Pot Recipes, recipe Tagged With: brews + food, comfort food, easy recipes, food, Instant Pot Recipes, recipes

Instant Pot Pulled Chicken Tacos

January 18, 2019 by Rachel 12 Comments

Something I’ve wanted to do desperately over the last 4 years is to feel more comfortable cooking meals for my family. Thankfully, over the last year, I’ve gotten a lot more confidence when it comes to trying and creating new meals — in large part due to my beloved Instant Pot!

One of our absolute favorites right now is this Pulled Chicken Taco recipe. We use fresh tortillas (these are our favorites), garnished with sliced avocados, chopped cilantro, sour cream, and the sharpest shredded cheddar I can find!

I played around quite a bit with the salsa variations (less, more, and different flavors), but this seems to be spot on! Additionally, this is the type of meal where if you want to make it ahead and then throw it in the refrigerator for the next day, the chicken will just continue to soak up those delicious juices!

I hope you enjoy! Please tell me what you think!

[gmc_recipe 13755]

 

 

Filed Under: brews + food, busy mom, cooking, Instant Pot Recipes, pictures, recipe Tagged With: brews + food, busy mom, cooking, Instant Pot Recipes, pictures, recipes

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

February 8, 2018 by Rachel 24 Comments

I’ve mentioned several times over the last 8 years that I am a novice cook, at best. My abilities have always been hindered because of my fear of making something that tastes awful. So, for years, I just avoided cooking. I mean, Chad has always loved to cook — and he’s great at it! So I took a backseat.

But 3 years ago Chad bought me an Instant Pot and I started to dabble in making meals for our family. It’s still been something I’m not ultimately comfortable with; but the Instant Pot is an amazing invention. And the growth of its popularity has given me more and more courage to branch out and try new recipes — and adapt old ones!

My most recent Dinner Conquest was a Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup, adapted from this recipe.

[gmc_recipe 12514]

I am IN LOVE with comfort food this pregnancy — and this? paired with some rolls or a piece of toasted bread? Perfection! It’s just what this baby ordered! I’m in love with how creamy and hearty it is — which is perfect for a cold Winter’s afternoon!

We’re definitely adding it to our weeknight dinner rotation! 😉 The kids loved it — and so did I (and so did this baby in my tummy)!

 

Filed Under: brews + food, cooking, creative, food, Instant Pot Recipes, recipe, recipes Tagged With: brews + food, comfort food, cooking, creative, food, foodie, Instant Pot Recipes, recipes

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