Instant Pots have been cooking up a storm the past year. This new, kitchen invention is a 7-in-1 multicooker: slow cooker, electric pressure cooker, steamer, saute/warming pan, warming pot, rice cooker and a yogurt maker! Not only does it save shelf space, it also saves you from time and stress. Cooking everything in one pot also means less dishes to clean! The sheer convenience is ideal for seniors who live at home.
People are loving the Instant Pot because they can cook the most basic ingredients like hard-boiled eggs, beans, grain—you name it! It also simplifies complex dishes too, whether it’s a hearty pot roast or a chilled sweet dessert, you got it! Essentially what you will need to do are prepare the ingredients, put them in the Instant Pot, press the setting buttons, watch some TV or read a book and voila!
It’s a wonderful cooking tool, but because it has so many useful features, it comes with a lot of buttons and settings. There is a learning curve and we definitely recommend reading through the instructions handbook to get a hang of things. Thousands of rave reviews on Amazon is evidence that once you get comfortable using the Instant Pot, you’ll fall in love! Since everything is automated and done in one single pot, it allows flexibility and simplicity for seniors who have special dietary restrictions or who are health-conscious. If you’re enthusiastic about making nutritious, well-balanced meals, this kitchen gadget is versatile enough to bring convenience, healthy and delicious food to your kitchen! Nurse next door offers meal preparation services for seniors where our personalized caregivers come in and can cook all of the below mentioned delicious recepies.
We understand that eating healthy sometimes get harder as you age, we have compiled a list of the Top 10 easy, delicious and healthy recipes for you and your family to cook with your Instant Pot!
We’ve included a balance of hearty soups, meaty goodness, vegetarian options and sweet desserts, along with some health and nutrition facts, take a look below (click to scroll):
- Beef Stew
- Seafood Gumbo
- Chicken Teriyaki & Vegetables with Rice
- Orange Chicken
- Beef Stroganoff
- Vegetarian Chili with Quinoa
- Golden Lentil & Spinach Soup
- Hummus
- Salted Caramel Cheesecake
- Yogurt
Beef Stew
Instant Pot is fast and you can also brown the beef in it, which saves you from having to clean more pots and pans! This is a simple recipe created by BudgetBytes. Carrots, rosemary and tender chunks of beef…make a hearty soup to enjoy along with some good crusty bread—delicious!
Beef is probably the most accessible and healthiest red meat there is. It is also iron-rich, which helps with the maintenance of good health. Did you know that a deficiency of iron symptoms include: weakness, fatigue, impaired cognitive function, impaired social development, low immune function etc. Lots of these are common amongst the elderly, and it is suggested that “Adults over the age of 51 should consume at least 8 milligrams of iron everyday” (HealthyEating).
Seafood Gumbo
A Cajun classic with a healthy twist. Any type of white fish will do, but Sea Bass has the highest amount of Omega-3s! High Omega-3 content has been shown by studies to be important for cognitive and brain functioning and might reduce cognitive decline like Alzheimer’s. This dish will have meaty texture from the fish filets but it’ll have a buttery texture with a kick of seasoning. So not only will you be having some comfort food to replenish your soul, you will also be fueling your brain and cardiovascular health! Check out the recipe here.
Chicken Teriyaki & Vegetables with Rice
No need to order takeout anymore when you have an Instant Pot! For this dish, you can use Jasmine white rice, or substitute it with brown rice for a healthier option. Life Made Sweeter created a recipe for a well-balanced and tasty dish, which can be served in 30 minutes!
Orange Chicken
Another usual takeout dish special, orange chicken! Goes great with rice and veggies and is a good dish to meal prep and have as leftovers that taste great for the next day (or three)! Sweet and Savory Meals’ recipe also ensures you’ve got a steaming hot, delicious meal in 30 minutes with the help of your Instant Pot! In this recipe they use orange juice and zest to make it tangy and fresh, chicken is a lean protein and so it’s a healthy and flavorful choice!
Beef Stroganoff
Mmm, tender, melting-in-your-mouth beef and mushrooms with egg noodles. This is a popular dish on Allrecipes and is a recurring hit at family gatherings! Creamy, delicious and you can also make it gluten-free with adjustments!
As mentioned before, beef is a healthy protein. But the other superstar in this recipe are mushrooms!
Mushrooms do wonders! Feel free to adjust the portion of meat and veggie to your liking or dietary restrictions. Let’s look at the abundant benefits mushrooms have for your health!
- Firstly mushrooms provide you with lean proteins because they don’t have any cholesterol or fat and very low carbohydrates. According to OrganicFacts, they say that “the high lean protein content found in them helps to burn cholesterol when they are digested…is essential in the prevention of various cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke”
- Secondly, mushroom provides a good source of iron which “promotes the formation of red blood cells and keeps people healthy and functioning at their full potential”, which means it can treat Anemia. It also stimulates absorption of iron as well!
- Thirdly, they are also “very effective in preventing breast and prostate cancer due to the significant presence of Beta-Glucans and Conjugated Linoleic Acid”.
- It also is a great food to incorporate into a diabetic, low-energy diet. The reason is because mushrooms have no fats or cholesterol, high protein content and tons of vitamins and minerals, water and fiber. They also “contain natural insulin and enzymes which help the breaking down of sugar or starch in food”.
- Mushrooms are “a rich source of calcium, which is an essential nutrient in the formation and strengthening of bones”. By having a steady supply of calcium in your diet reduces the joint pain, general lack of mobility associated with bone degradation and reduced chances of developing conditions such as osteoporosis.
Vegetarian Chili with Quinoa
The previous recipes we’ve recommended are on the meaty side and sometimes it’s nice to take a break from proteins and have a plant and grain-based meal!
This vegetarian dish will sure warm up your day. The chili is cooked with beans and quinoa which is filling enough to be a stand-alone vegetarian option meal! It’s simmered all day like in a slow cooker, but it takes less than 30 minutes with your trusty Instant Pot! Check out the recipe here.
Quinoa is also packed with several Vitamin Bs, E and dietary fibre. It’s also ‘high in anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, which make it potentially beneficial for human health in the prevention and treatment of disease’ (BBC Good Food). Quinoa also contains small amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids which is crucial in heart health!
Golden Lentil & Spinach Soup
The reason Kitchen Treaty named this dish “golden” is because it features the current ‘it’ food—turmeric, which gives a golden glow. Turmeric is an antioxidant that fights inflammation, helps with arthritis and protects hearts in various ways (see here for 12 practical uses for Turmeric). This soup packs a lot of flavor and nutrition and is sure to serve as a cozy meal.
Hummus
Did you know you could make your own hummus with dried beans under an hour? Hummus is a light and yummy snack but sometimes it’s hard to find packaged hummus brand that doesn’t use cheap oil or chemicals and if you do, they’re usually pricier! Now with an Instant Pot, you can make it in the comfort of your own home! Everyday Maven teaches you how to make a great snack, so grab some pita bread, chips or celery for a healthier option to dip it into your homemade hummus!
Salted Caramel Cheesecake
Did you think we forgot about dessert? Fear not! Yes, you read it right, you can make a rich cheesecake from your Instant Pot! Creamy cake with a buttery crust, what a perfect duo. Key ingredients such as: eggs, milk and cheese are all healthy dairy products, packed with ‘muscle-building, energy-generation proteins’. The nutrients that come with these ingredients include iron, Vitamin A, Calcium and phosphorus etc, and if you add some fresh fruit on top, like blueberries or strawberries, even better! The only extra thing you need to have is a 7 inch Springform pan but otherwise, you can cook up a crowd-pleasing dessert in 35 minutes. Check out the recipe by Cookies and Cups here.
Yogurt
Yogurt-making is possible when you have an Instant Pot—it is literally a button away (the “Yogurt” button, that is)! Get ready to whip up a healthy, tangy and creamy yogurt that will go great with granola (think: chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp hearts, goji berries etc) and/or fruit! Find the recipe here!
Yogurt is good for your health! As you age, it’s especially important to get into the habit of eating lighter and healthier, making sure you’re taking in all the important nutrients. According to Yogurt In Nutrition: “yogurt is abundant in calcium, zinc, B vitamins and probiotics. It’s also a food source of protein and maybe supplemented with vitamin D and additional probiotics associated with positive health outcomes”. Probiotics help with promoting good digestive health and also gives a boost to your immune system. When you sprinkle some flax seeds on top of your yogurt, you’ll be getting a packed supply of probiotics and fibre! That makes nutrition intake more enjoyable than just gulping down supplements with water.
Nurse Next Door’s caregivers also provide companionship such as making a meal with your new Instant Pot! Read more about our companionship services here!
