The minute cold weather creeps in, you'll find us tending stewpots, mountains of soup recipes on deck each week. But we consider soup an all-seasons food, and the recipes below reflect just that. Whether that soup (or stew) is done in 30 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner or it needs an hours-long simmer, there's nothing like the homey comfort of savoring a hearty bowl.
There are plenty of moments in life when you need a simple meal to put on the table. Sure, we, too, enjoy dishes that are a multi-step process, involving a myriad of ingredients and hours in the kitchen - chopping, stirring, and constant monitoring or else something gets burned or messed up beyond repair. But it's not something that makes sense on a daily basis. That's why we love a convenient meal that doesn't sacrifice taste.
However, you'll be happy to know that most Instant Pot models are designed so the lid stays upright in the side handle. After you release pressure and twist the lid off, just tip it slightly so condensation runs back into the liner, then slide the rim of the lid into the slot/groove on the cooker's side handle. It will sit there vertically, stable, out of the way, and dripping back into the pot instead of across your counter.
The Instant Pot is great for making quick work of tough cuts of meat ( transform steak into a flavorful London broil, perhaps?), soups, or stews that would have otherwise taken hours of slow and steady simmering. However, if you've ever tried to make a creamy sauce or a cheesy soup in an Instant Pot, you may have encountered some textural trouble. Dairy and high-pressure cooking just do not mix well. Without the right touch, the hope of a velvety chowder or a decadent mac and cheese can quickly turn into a pot of split, grainy disappointment.