September 11, 2020
GET TO KNOW YOUR GADGETS
With people cooking at home on a regular basis these days, you may be looking for more ways to add variety to your weekly meals. Or perhaps you purchased a new popular kitchen gadget after seeing friends share posts on social media of their mealtime creations. Maybe you’re hearing more mention of certain kitchen gadgets and wondering if the investment is worthwhile.
Let’s take a look at some of today’s most popular kitchen gadgets to discuss their benefits and all the ways mealtime can be simplified during the busy work week.
Electric Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot® is the better known name in this category. Ask any of your friends which new appliance they’ve recently bought for their kitchen, and the response is probably Instant Pot. What is it exactly? Instead of having separate appliances for pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, sautéing, and baking, it can now be done in this all-in-one appliance. The pressure cooker feature is the most popular due to the speed in which food items can be prepared, along with the safety and quietness compared to stovetop versions.
BENEFITS: faster cooking times, healthier foods due to nutrient retention, energy efficient
Did you know…
You can cook frozen meats, including chicken breasts, steaks, and meatballs, straight from the freezer? Perfect if you forget to defrost items or need to change up your meal plan last minute.
Air Fryer
Instant Pot® may be the hot new kid in town, but Air Fryer is right behind. Air Fryers cook foods by circulating hot air around the food. Essentially, it’s a smaller version of a convection oven. While many people may use an air fryer to create healthier version of traditional deep-fried foods like french fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks, it can actually do so much more. Not only can vegetables be roasted to crispy perfection faster than in the oven, but you can roast proteins like seafood, create crispy snacks like roasted chickpeas, and even use it for baking!
BENEFITS: faster cooking times, no excess oils needed for fried items, easy to clean
Did you know...
Many convection ovens now include an air fryer feature, along with roasting and dehydrating, which helps save on countertop space.
High-Powered Blender
Take your blender beyond smoothies. High Powered Blenders use between 1,000-1500 watts of power. They are known for the ability to crush and pulverize food items for super smooth textures and consistencies. Many also include features like heating so soups can be made directly in the blender and then immediately enjoyed. No more awkward transferring hot soups to a blender or using a separate immersion blender.
BENEFITS: blends quickly, creates smooth textures, can cook in addition to blending
Did you know...
These blenders are so powerful you can create your own nut and seed butters and even plant-based milks. Great way to save money!
Which of these kitchen gadgets do you own or are on your Wish List?
RECIPE CORNER: GIVE YOUR GADGETS A GO!
Instant Pot Turkey Bolognese with Penne
INGREDIENTS:
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup finely chopped carrot
1 cup finely chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tsp ground fennel seed
½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 lb ground turkey breast
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 lb whole grain penne pasta
3 ¼ cups water
½ C grated Parmesan cheese
½ C fresh basil leaves, torn
PREPARATION:
Select Sauté, and add olive oil, carrot, celery, and garlic to the inner pot. Sauté for 2 minutes, or until the carrot and celery begin to soften, and the garlic becomes fragrant.
Add the kosher salt, fennel seed, and pepper to the pot, and then add the turkey breast. Sauté until the turkey breast is browned (about 5 minutes).
Pour the tomatoes over the turkey mixture, and then add the penne. Add the water, but do not stir the ingredients.
Cover, lock the lid, and flip the steam release handle to the sealing position. Select Pressure Cook (High), and set the cook time for 8 minutes. When the cook time is complete, quick release the pressure.
Remove the lid, stir well, and then transfer to a larger serving platter. Sprinkle the Parmesan over top, then garnish with the basil. Serve hot.
Recipe Source: Healthy InstantPot Cookbook by Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb small Brussels sprouts
1 tablespoon olive oil
Kosher salt
2 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
Zest of ½ lemon
PREPARATION:
Trim and quarter the Brussels sprouts and toss in a large bowl with the olive oil and 2 teaspoons salt. Set the air fryer to 390 degrees F and preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer for 5 minutes. Transfer the sprouts to the air fryer and cook, tossing halfway through, until well- browned and crispy, about 18 minutes.
Transfer to a serving bowl and toss with the Parmesan and lemon zest.
Serves 2
Recipe Source: Food Network
