“Other” Cooking Buttons
Manual
Honestly, this is the button you’re going to use the most. Unless you’re totally sure that one of the preset buttons is just right for what your recipe, it’s easiest to use the manual setting. Use the “Pressure” button to adjust the pressure to low, medium, or high and the “+” and “-” buttons to adjust the time to suit your needs.
Slow Cook
This here is one of the most magical things about the Instant Pot. This setting allows it to function just as a slow cooker does. (So do you really need your slow cooker anymore? Maybe not.) You put all your ingredients in, close the lid, and adjust the time with the “+” and “-” buttons. You can also use the “Adjust” button to change the level of heat. I find myself using my Instant Pot to slow cook more often than I use my slow cooker now, all because of the next function.
Sauté
This is – hands down – my favorite thing about the Instant Pot. I love my slow cooker, as most every cook does, but I have a tendency to avoid recipes that require you to sear or sauté things first because, well… dirtying another dish and taking the time to heat it up kind of defeats the purpose when it comes to the convenience of the slow cooker. (In my own personal opinion, anyway.) But with the Instant Pot, you just set it to the sauté function and cook your onions or brown your meat or what have you, and then set it to slow cook or pressure cook. All in the same pot. Hallelujah!
Press “Adjust” for a lower temperature (like if you need to simmer a soup after pressure cooking) or a higher temperature (like for searing meat). The digital display will show “On” when it’s heating up and “Hot” when it has come up to temp.
Yogurt
Yup, you can make yogurt in your Instant Pot! You can make it either in the inner pot itself or in glass bottles. I find it’s easier to make a big patch. Here’s how you do it:
Pour a 1/2 gallon of milk into the inner pot. Make sure the steam valve is set to “Sealing” and close the lid. Push the “Yogurt” button, and then “Adjust.” The word “boil” should appear on the digital display; after 10 seconds it will beep and start heating the milk to 180°F. (Boiling the milk helps ensure a firmer set on the yogurt.)
After the cooking time is up, remove the inner pot and set on the counter to cool. When the milk has cooled to 115°F, it’s time to add your starter culture. The easiest way is to use 2 tablespoons of store-bought/active yogurt. Mix this with 1/2 cup of the warm milk. Once smooth, stir the mixture back into the warm milk. Return the inner pot to the Instant Pot and close the lid. Push the “Yogurt” button again and use the “+” button to adjust time to 8 hours. Cooking cycle will automatically start after 10 seconds. When cooking time is up, voila: you have yogurt!
On the next page, I’ll take you through ALL of the preset pressure cooking buttons. You’re going to be an Instant Pot expert!
