Yum! Instant Pot Cooking class shares recipes & tips for pressure cooking

Posted on December 31, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley

My sister gave me an Instant Pot for Christmas several years ago. I didn’t know what it was and had never used a pressure cooker before. But I’m always game to try a new kitchen gadget, so I gave it a whirl.

To say it changed everything would be a slight exaggeration, but I did rehome (a.k.a. donate) my crockpot. And here’s why. The same meals I could make in the crockpot—provided I remembered to assemble the ingredients and actually start it in the morning before work—I could make when I got home in an hour or less.

A friend who used to teach high school home economics classes told me that the pressure cooker was “the microwave for her generation.”

Suddenly, I was making everything in my new kitchen gadget (grown-up toy?)—hard-boiled eggs, green and red chili, pulled pork, pot roast, and every kind of soup imaginable. I cook frozen chicken breasts in minutes and then shred them for use in other recipes. I found that cooking was fun again. And I still have settings to try out!

I know I’m not the only one obsessed with my Instant Pot. There are Facebook groups and Pinterest boards dedicated to sharing recipes and advice. I’ve recommended it and even loaned it out to friends so they can try it.

Many people are interested in these handy kitchen helpers. The checkout volume and frequency of our many Instant Pot cookbooks attests to this. Out of the 83 books about Instant Pot cooking in our collection (at the time of writing), all copies of over 50 titles are completely checked out to customers.

Knowing the keen interest of Instant Pot cooking in our community, we are very excited to be offering an Instant Pot Cooking program in January.

In this class for adults, Instant Pot maven Meegan Ware shares basic tips for pressure cooking, shows you how to create at least two recipes, and passes along additional recipes that can be prepared and cooked quickly. There is no registration needed for this class.

Instant Pot Cooking

DEER PARK
Saturday, Jan 4, 2–3pm

ARGONNE
Tuesday, Jan 7, 6:30–7:30pm

AIRWAY HEIGHTS
Thursday, Jan 9, 6:30–7:30pm

FAIRFIELD
Tuesday, Jan 14, 6–7pm

CHENEY
Sunday, Jan 19, 3–4pm

MEDICAL LAKE
Wednesday, Jan 22, 6–7pm

SPOKANE VALLEY
Thursday, Jan 23, 7–8pm

MORAN PRAIRIE
Tuesday, Jan 28, 6:30–7:30pm

OTIS ORCHARDS
Wednesday, Jan 29, 6–7pm

THE LAB AT NORTH SPOKANE
Thursday, Jan 30, 7–8pm

After the last program date, we will be adding two Instant Pots to our Library of Things, so you can check one out and try your hand at cooking with it.

Once you see how quickly the Instant Pot cooks and taste how delicious the recipes are, you may just find yourself with a new kitchen toy. . . I mean gadget!

Tags: class, cookbooks, cooking, instant pot, pressure cooker, pressure cooking