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.
Low Carb Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Hot Italian Chicken Sausage
- 4 slices uncured sugar-free Bacon, chopped
- 12 Large Radishes unpeeled and sliced 1/4" thick
- 1 medium Onion chopped
- 4 cloves Fresh Garlic minced
- 6 cups Chicken Stock/Broth
- 1/4 cup Water
- 2 cups Fresh Kale chopped
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
Instructions
- 1. Select the Sauté function on your Instant Pot and allow to heat.
- 2. Chop the bacon into chunks and add to the Instant Pot, cooking until crisp.
- 3. Place cooked bacon on paper towel lined plate to absorb grease.
- 4. Add onions to the pot and sauté in bacon grease for 3 minutes.
- 5. Add sausage to pot and sauté until browned, about 5 minutes.
- 6. Add garlic to pot and sauté 1 minute.
- 7. Turn off Instant Pot and drain grease.
- 8. Add chicken broth, water, and radishes.
- 9. Lock on the lid and close the pressure valve. Cook on Manual or Soup function at High Pressure for 5 minutes.
- 10. When Beep sounds, allow 10-minute Natural Pressure Release and then finish with a Quick Release.
- 11. Add kale to the pot and stir until wilted.
- 12. Add cream and stir well.
- 13. Top with bacon pieces.
