Cooking in the Instant Pot is a breeze. It’s a multi-cooker appliance that can help you prepare your favorite dishes in a fraction of the time it would take on the stove or in the oven. However, when it comes to cooking two different dishes at the same time, many people are stumped. But fret not! In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the pot-in-pot method that lets you cook two things at once in an Instant Pot.
The Pot-in-Pot Method
The pot-in-pot (PIP) method is simply a way to cook two different dishes simultaneously in your Instant Pot. The idea behind this method is to cook one of the dishes in the inner pot of the Instant Pot while the other dish is cooked in a separate bowl that is placed on a trivet. This method is great if you want to save time and effort while cooking two dishes at once.
Here are the steps to use the PIP method:
Step 1: Choose Your Dishes
The first step in using the pot-in-pot method is to choose the dishes you want to cook. You can choose any two dishes that have similar cooking times. For example, if you’re cooking rice and chicken, you can cook them both at the same time using different pots.
Step 2: Prepare Your Food
Prepare your food as you would normally do. If you’re cooking rice, you need to wash it thoroughly and soak it in water for at least 30 minutes. If you’re cooking chicken, you need to clean it and season it with your favorite seasonings. It’s important to remember that you need to cook each dish separately in its own pot.
Step 3: Choose Your Pots
For the pot-in-pot method, you need to choose two pots that are compatible with your Instant Pot. One pot should be the main pot with the food that needs to cook longer, and the other pot should be a smaller bowl or container with the side dish.
Step 4: Add Water
After choosing your pots, you need to add water to the main pot. The water should be enough to create steam to cook the dish in the PIP. You don’t need to add water to the smaller bowl or container unless the recipe calls for it.
Step 5: Use a Trivet or Steamer Basket
Place a trivet or steamer basket in the Instant Pot, and place the smaller bowl or container on top of it. The trivet will keep the bowl or container from touching the bottom of the Instant Pot and ensure even cooking.
Step 6: Close the Lid
Once you’ve placed both pots in the Instant Pot, close the lid and make sure that the pressure release valve is set to the correct position. Follow the recipe instructions to set the cooking time.
Step 7: Release the Pressure
When the cooking time has ended, release the pressure manually or allow the pressure to release naturally. Carefully remove the smaller bowl or container from the Instant Pot and check both dishes for doneness before serving.
Conclusion
The pot-in-pot method is a great way to cook two dishes at once in an Instant Pot. The process may seem complicated at first, but once you’ve mastered it, you’ll be able to cook multiple dishes in no time. With the pot-in-pot method, you can prepare a complete meal in a fraction of the time it would take to prepare it on the stove. So, next time you’re in a hurry or just want to save some time, give the pot-in-pot method a try and enjoy your delicious and perfectly cooked meal!
