Busy Bride-to-Bees: Spicin’ Up Your Kitchen with an Instant Pot and Air Fryer 

By Kayley George, RDN, LD

Alright, let’s face it. Sometimes, all we need is a shortcut to cooking. You ladies are busy bride-to-bees🐝 (pun totally intended) and life is demanding during the final countdown until your wedding. Good news gals...it’s 2020! There are plenty of amazing kitchen appliances that weren’t on the market years ago. Two of them, the instant pot and the air fryer, are time-saving appliances that provide healthy ways to stay fully committed to your goals!

Instant Pot: What Is It? 

So basically, this is a magical pot that can wear numerous different hats in the kitchen (it’s a multicooker). An instant pot can do many things such as pressure cook, saute, steam, slow cook, air fry, roast, bake, and broil. The difference between pressure cooking and slow cooking is the time. Pressure cooking cooks things super fast while slow cooking can extend the cook time throughout most of the day. Keep in mind that you can do both with an instant pot! Forget clattering through your cabinets trying to find different frying pans, pots, and sauce pans to make your dinner. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a one-man-band kind of appliance to help you out? Here are some other reasons you might be interested in an instant pot:

  • Frozen chicken is ready in minutes

  • It’s a one-pot recipe machine

  • Weeknight meals are ready in half the time

  • You can make your own yogurt

  • Rice is super easy to make in the instant pot

  • A two-pound pot roast takes 2 hours, compared to a crock pot that takes 6-8 hours!

You are an incredibly strong and busy woman. You have a job, fiance, wedding planning, family, and so many more things going on in your life. I want you to intentionally pause for a hot sec. That’s right, literally pause in your reading. Now think about what you have on your plate right now. It’s okay to feel a bit overwhelmed with everything going on in your life right now. That means you’re busy. You have purpose. And I’m so proud of you. Women today have so many more opportunities than ever before. That being said, it’s okay to take some healthy shortcuts when it comes to meal prepping. Don’t get down on yourself if you feel tight on time with everything. Chances are, other beautiful brides are feeling it too. “Okay Kayley...what kind of shortcuts are we talking about?” Don’t be afraid of appliances that make your life just a tad bit easier-- such as the instant pot. They may cost you a little but up front, but the time you save is much more valuable. Check out some of these recipes - they will make your mouth water. 

  • Black Bean Chili: https://www.wellplated.com/instant-pot-chili/

  • Rotisserie Chicken: https://amindfullmom.com/how-to-make-a-whole-chicken-in-the-instant-pot/ 

  • Salsa Verde Chicken: https://amindfullmom.com/instant-pot-salsa-verde-chicken/ 

  • Chicken Cacciatore: https://lexiscleankitchen.com/instant-pot-chicken-cacciatore/ 

  • Chicken Noodle Soup: https://amindfullmom.com/instant-pot-chicken-noodle-soup/ 

  • Moroccan Chicken Bowls: https://fitfoodiefinds.com/video-instant-pot-moroccan-chicken-bowls/ 

  • Korean Beef Bowl: https://fitfoodiefinds.com/instant-pot-korean-beef-bowl-recipe/

  • Chipotle Chicken Bowl: https://www.skinnytaste.com/instant-pot-chipotle-chicken-bowls-with-cilantro-lime-quinoa

  • Spaghetti Squash Beef Ragu: https://www.skinnytaste.com/beef-and-mushroom-ragu-with-spaghetti-squash/ 

  • Lemon Pepper Salmon: https://www.wholesomelicious.com/instant-pot-lemon-pepper-salmon/ 

  • Korean Pork Cabbage Wraps: https://www.forageddish.com/blog/2016/3/6/slow-cooker-korean-pork-cabbage-tacos?rq=instant%20pot

  • Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps: https://www.skinnytaste.com/crock-pot-buffalo-chicken-lettuce-wraps/

  • Carne Guisada: https://www.skinnytaste.com/carne-guisada-latin-beef-stew

To get more specific, take a look at estimated time that an instant pot could save you when compared to other more traditional cooking methods:

  • Brown rice = 30 minutes in instant pot vs 60 minutes stovetop 

  • Black beans = 20-25 minutes in instant pot vs 1-1.5 hours on stove 

  • Chickpeas = 35-40 minutes in instant pot vs 1.25-1.5 hours on stove

  • Curry = 7 minutes instant pot vs 14 minutes stovetop 

This may not seem like a ton of time when just looking at the numbers but over days, weeks, and months think about how much more time it could free up for the more important things in life!

Air Fryer: What Is It?

Time for the next appliance: the air fryer. “Ummm Kayley...I thought fried foods were no-go…” Don’t be fooled by the name! Air “fryers” aren’t really frying anything. They are basically just a compact convection oven with a fan that rapidly produces heat; this cooks anything you put in it at a faster pace. Who knew such an amazing machine existed? Humans are truly amazing with what we can invent. So is this something that’s okay to use in my daily life? Let’s check it out!: 

 

Are They Healthier Than Traditional Frying? 

The answer is yes and no. If you use a tremendous amount of oil to coat your food before putting it in the air fryer, it will end up being about the same as regular frying, but the great thing about the air fryer is that your food hardly requires any oil to become crispy. Putting just a dash of oil on your foods will give you the same great crispiness by cutting back on the total calories and fat. Sounds pretty magical, right? It’s generally estimated that air frying your foods over deep frying them can decrease fat content up to 75%! From wings to fries, this appliance brings a healthier twist to your favorite indulgences. I’m thinking it might be time to call your bridesmaids over to check this out!

 

What Can I Cook In an Air Fryer? 

You can cook anything you could in a normal oven in an air fryer, as well as anything you would fry. Say hello to easy and delicious meal prep too. You can throw some chicken breast and green beans in the air fryer at around 350F for 15 minutes and have your lunches ready for your week. Sounds too good to be true, right?  

No worries, I’ll make it easy for you. I have some simple, yet tasty recipe examples for the air fryer too:  

  • Sweet potato fries: https://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/air-fryer-sweet-potato-fries

  • Kale chips: https://www.liveeatlearn.com/air-fryer-kale-chips/

  • Green bean crisps: https://domesticsuperhero.com/air-fryer-green-bean-fries-no-oil-recipe/

  • Fish: https://www.myforkinglife.com/crispy-air-fryer-fish/

  • Whole wheat pita pizzas: https://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/air-fryer-whole-wheat-pita-pizzas

  • Popcorn: https://fitmencook.com/healthy-air-fryer-recipes/

  • Avocado bites: https://fitmencook.com/healthy-air-fryer-recipes/

Entrees:

  • Salmon: https://www.recipe-diaries.com/easy-air-fryer-salmon/

  • Buffalo cauliflower: https://www.glueandglitter.com/air-fryer-buffalo-cauliflower/

  • Lemon chicken: https://sweetcsdesigns.com/easy-air-fryer-lemon-chicken-recipe/

Sides:

  • Brussel sprouts: https://www.noracooks.com/air-fryer-brussels-sprouts/

  • Asparagus: https://berrymaple.com/air-fryer-roasted-asparagus/

  • Garlic mushrooms: https://bestrecipebox.com/air-fryer-mushrooms/

  • Broccoli: https://chefalli.com/2019/06/11/air-fryer-roasted-broccoli-parmesan/

 

There are so many more recipes to drool over (hello Pinterest!), but don’t feel overwhelmed. One of the reasons I love these appliances so much is because it shows that eating healthy can be enjoyable! A lot of my brides tell me they don’t want to give up the fun, social aspect of eating out all the time. I get it, food is a way to connect to other people, but there’s other ways to make it fun. You can make pizza, sweet potato fries, avocado bites in a better-for-you way! When you choose to make healthy cooking decisions, think about all the positive doors you’re opening. Deep down you’re wanting to make lifestyle changes that sustain a happier, healthier version of you. Well...here’s one way to get started!

If you’re not sure where you can get one of these kitchen gadgets, amazon is a great place to start. Here are two options you can check out:

Brides, I know you’re busy. I know you’re pulled in many different directions calling venues, sending out invitations, juggling work or school or family, but don’t give up on taking care of you. There’s ways to navigate busy times in our lives by taking short-cuts that still get the job done. I commend you so much for having the determination to make diet changes that will ultimately lead to a healthier, happier life and wedding. Air frying and using the instant pot are two kitchen appliances that can cut some of the time you spend in the kitchen. Spend less time in the kitchen so you can spend more time enjoying the season of being a bride!

Allow us to help take out the stress of planning meals while you look forward to your big day - give us a call for a FREE nutrition consultation!

Published on Jun 8, 2020 at 12:20 pm

Weight Loss For BridesKayley George