I am always on the lookout for gadgets and products that make my life easier. Between parenting four kids, keeping my freelance career afloat, and training for an endurance race, I need things that bring simplicity to my life. I recently acquired a new kitchen device–the Instant Pot. If you’re not familiar with the Instant Pot, you are not alone. I had no idea what it was either but now I wonder how I ever got along without it.
The Instant Pot, or IP for short, is a multi-cooker that looks like a fancy slow-cooker but it does so much more. The IP does job of a slow cooker, electric pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, sauté/browning pan, and warming pot. It’s one appliance that does many jobs of kitchen appliances or tools you may already have on hand. People who use IP tend to buy more than one because they love it so much. There are even Facebook groups created just for the sole purpose of trading IP information and recipes.
When I first purchased my IP off of a yard sale site, I was a little skeptical and hesitant to use it. Everyone has heard the stories of pressure cookers blowing up and causing massive damage to kitchens. People in my IP recipe group swore that there were fail-safe methods to the IP that make it very safe. So, I decided to give it a try and they were right. It was completely easy and safe to use. I just read through the manual which walked me through a sample run of using the pressure cooker function. Totally easy!
After my first use of the IP, I have been using it regularly. I’ve made everything from chicken to pork in my second-hand IP. Then one cool spring day, I decided to make copy-cat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana. I have seen recipes online for this soup for the stove and the slow cooker, but never for the Instant Pot. So, I created my own low carb version.
This deliciously irresistible soup totally impressed me. It has just enough spice to keep you coming back for more. By using radishes instead of potatoes, I was able to cut down the carb content considerably. So, if you are following a low carb or keto lifestyle, you will love this soup.
[yumprint-recipe id=’51’]
