Weeknights are wild. There are hobby meetings, sporting events, date nights, night work calls, children’s bath time, TV show premieres (of course), and there is also… dinner?
Trying to make a recipe, dine (let alone enjoy the food), and clean the kitchen in less than an hour always seemed like it would require some kind of divine intervention. Well, let me introduce you to the power pressure cooker, also known as the game changer.
The power pressure cooker makes the impossible possible. You can create a healthy, balanced meal in less than an hour from start to finish. Even decadent dishes like braised ribs or whole meals like salmon with potatoes and broccoli can be enjoyed from start to finish with breeze on a weeknight.
Is there anything easier than throwing all your food in a pot and letting the pot do the work? I can’t think of anything. It’s as if you’ve significantly improved the kitchen staple, the cooking pot.
Here are some of my favorite pressure cooker recipes to put dinner on the table under pressure:
1. Ramen soup
For those nights when all you need is a big hug, ramen is the perfect dish! High in anti-inflammatory ingredients like fresh ginger, garlic, and spinach, this 20-minute soup is good for you in every way.
This fast ramen is balanced with lean chicken protein and soft-boiled eggs, starches from the noodles, and a salty broth that makes you crave more.
To boost this recipe even more nutritionally, try doubling down on carrot and spinach for extra vitamin power.
~ Check out the recipe here!
2. 4 minutes of salmon, broccoli and
potatoesWhat’s better than a perfectly balanced meal in just 4 minutes? I can’t think of anything
!
This wonderfully fatty fish pairs so well with the superfood broccoli and potato starch that you won’t believe it was made in such a short time!
Salmon is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids (also known as fish oil) that helps our heart, skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract and much more.
~ Check out the recipe here!
3. Meat gyros
A hot pita wrapped around freshly made gyroscopes, toppings and even Tzatziki sauce, oh! This recipe goes from fridge to plate in less than an hour with just 15 minutes of preparation time!
When creating Tzatziki sauce, be sure to drink plain Greek yogurt. This yogurt is naturally higher in protein, adding another nutritional benefit to this great dish! You can also opt for a whole wheat pita to add a little extra fiber too!
~ Check out the recipe here!
4. Boil
shrimp This recipe is
perfect for summer beach nights, a classic recipe for boiling shrimp that you don’t have to spend all day preparing! This recipe is fun to snack on! It’s delicious, satisfying, and tastes best when served at a picnic table.
To take this recipe to the next level, adjust the ratios of vegetables to protein. By increasing corn and decreasing the amount of Andouille sausage, you can decrease total sodium and calories while increasing fiber and vitamins.
~ Check out the recipe here!
5. Mexican QuinoaThe
perfect
meal from a pot with fiber, protein and lots of flavor! This is a vegetarian and meat-loving dream!
Quinoa is the perfect substitute for white rice in this classic recipe while complementing the beans to create a protein-packed dish. In addition, adding all those vegetables creates a meal that is full of flavor. Top this Mexican quinoa with fresh avocado to round it off perfectly.
~ Check out the recipe here!
6.
Lo Mein
This Lo Mein will trample on any greasy and takeaway cravings you have without the usual guilt! It’s not very often, you can replace a sinful bowl of takeaway food with something so delicious and easy to make at home!
Do this Lo Mein in less than 15 minutes from start to finish. That’s faster than it takes for the delivery man to show up at the door!
~ Check out the recipe here!
7. Whole “Roast” ChickenEveryone
knows that the secret to batch cooking is to have
a whole chicken cooked to use in various ways during
the week!
This recipe makes roast chicken more perfectly moist that can be used as-is, for tacos, soup and sandwiches throughout the week
!
Tip: Save the bones and leftovers to make an amazing chicken broth to have on hand! Cooking the broth longer and at a lower temperature will create a delicious bone broth rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins.
~ Check out the recipe here!
8. Chicken and lentil soupThis
is the most cozy soup! Rich in protein, fiber, and B vitamins, this soup will satisfy all your cravings!
It couldn’t be easier for a rushed weekday meal either, all you have to do is chop and let your pressure cooker do the work!
In just 30 minutes, you will have a hot soup that the whole family can enjoy!
~ Check out the recipe here!
9. Vegan Quinoa Burrito
Bowls
Is there anyone out there who doesn’t enjoy a nice burrito bowl? This vegetable bowl is the perfect pot meal that can be easily customized
!
From vegans to meat lovers, everyone will enjoy this easy, fiber-rich bowl. Add the ingredients you want to create a burrito bowl that’s as good as a restaurant’s!
~ Take a Check out the recipe here!
10. Rice
and Beans
The classic rice and bean dish is a staple for many reasons. It’s packed with perfectly supplemented proteins, great texture and balanced seasonings. Now, you can create this balanced meal in less than an hour! No more pre-soaking of those beans!
This perfectly seasoned and hearty balanced meal will make everyone fight for another bowl!
~ Check out the recipe here!
11. Summer Quinoa SaladTheir
fresh seasonal berries were made
for this quick salad!
Take this nutrient-dense salad to a party or serve it as a light summer dinner for everyone to order the recipe!
Quinoa, fruits, vegetables and nuts create a perfectly balanced dish with all food groups. You can top this salad with cooked chicken breast or leave it as it is to satisfy everyone’s needs!
~ Check out the recipe here!
12
. Minestrone Soup
This Minestrone soup is fast and vegetarian, making it perfect for any weekday dinner! It is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and vitamin A, making it the perfect dinner for
the whole family!
Tip: Use whole grain noodles to boost the fiber and B vitamins in this tasty dish
!
~ Check out the recipe here!
13. Chicken with lemon and garlicMake
your protein and side dish at the same time with a tasty chicken that the whole family will love! In less than an hour, you can have a beautiful and balanced dish with vegetables and protein.
This tasty chicken with lemon and garlic will give you the protein and excitement to spice up any dish!
~ Check out the recipe here!
14. Chicken Fajitasquick
, easy and very few dirty dishes are used to create these fajitas that will rival even your favorite Mexican restaurant!
Feel free to top them off with whatever you want, but be sure to include fresh avocado for a vitamin and mineral boost.
Tip: If you like sour cream in your fajitas, Opt for plain Greek yogurt that is higher in protein, lower in calories and just as tasty.
~ Check out the recipe here!
15. Chicken
curry with coconut
A large bowl of coconut chicken curry over rice is what dreams are made of! This bright and tasty dish is full of vegetables and lean protein without the dryness
!
What can normally take a few hours, create this colorful dish in just 30 minutes with your electric pressure cooker
!
~ Check out the recipe here! 16
. This
takeaway classic may be on your plate in just 20 minutes, but you can pretend it took hours to create it when everyone asks for the recipe! You can double the green pepper to increase the vegetables without sacrificing any flavor. Serve this classic on brown rice for additional fiber and minerals.
~ Check out the recipe here!
17.
Meatloaf
Meatloaf has been a menu staple since sliced bread, but it never took only 20 minutes to prepare! This recipe includes the meatloaf and sides to create a one-pot dream. Perfect to serve after long weekdays, this dish is a comforting staple.
And don’t be fooled by the short cooking time, this meatloaf is the best of both worlds, it’s juicy and quick to make!
~ Check out the recipe here!
Despite their apparent roots in the pressure cooker concept, pressure cooker meals are apt to be much healthier. Without the need for fatty sauces to create flavor and prevent dryness, the pressure cooker uses the heat generated by water to cook food. This leads to more flavor without dryness and lean meals in general.
The electric pressure cooker is the answer for anyone striving for healthy, balanced meals with a crazy weekday night schedule.
It really can do it all. You won’t be disappointed and feel great after enjoying healthy, balanced meals while juggling all the activities you enjoy!
Featured photo credit: Unsplash via unsplash.com
