Instant Pot accessories

Did you join the growing contingent of Instant Pot lovers/owners? Or maybe you already have one and you're looking for ways to use it even more. Just in time for the holidays here's a list of various Instant Pot accessories to try!

1. Steamer basket

I use this to steam veggies and to hard boil eggs (steam setting for 6 mins if you like the yolk well-done like I do). I like this steamer basket way more than the steamer rack that comes with the Instant Pot.

It comes with a handy hook and safety tool to lift the basket up so you don't scald yourself.

2. Silicone lid cover

I'lll make bone broth (here's my recipe) in my Instant Pot. This silicone lid comes in handy when I want to pop the entire pot into the fridge. It doesn't fit perfectly on the 6 quarter pot but it creates a good enough seal that I can even put additional items on top of the lid. I think fit comes down to your specific pot - reviews suggest that this lid fits well on some pots and not on others.

3. Sealing rings 2-pack

I admit I don't do a good enough job of scrubbing the inside of my lid. That goes for the sealing ring as well. It's now this dingy yellow color and I'm at the point where it probably wouldn't make a difference.

If you're sensitive to residual smells and want to keep your sweet vs savory creations separate then it might make sense to invest in a pair of new sealing rings.

4. Replacement pot

If you intend to use your Instant Pot as long as I do, you can't have too many pots on hand. I've scratched mine up by using metal utensils (ugh and duh). Get a replacement when they go on sale!

 

5. Round cheesecake pan

Basically a tiny springform pan for your 6 or 8 quarter Instant Pot.

6. Instant Pot recipe book

One of the top-rated recipe books on Amazon - if anything it'll help you feel less intimidated about your Instant Pot. And it might help you get up to speed enough to come up with your own creations.






You can also check out recipes on the official Instant Pot site here: https://recipes.instantpot.com/

Have fun and enjoy!

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Work Life Balance

My sleep schedule has been all over the place since the arrival of baby #2. The good news is I usually have no problem falling asleep because I get so little of it. I find myself having crazy dreams even though sometimes I'm only sleeping 2-3 hour stretches at a time. Here's one of my more recent dreams that really stood out - hope you enjoy it!

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"Did you see that new data and analytics company that's around the corner from us? Medallion? It's walking distance. You wouldn't even have to commute! You should work there!" I say excitedly to Joel over brunch.

I first noticed the company's shiny new sign during my morning walk a few weeks ago. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows put all its employees in a fish bowl and during my many walks I started noticing some characters who stood out. The lady with the purple hair. The young tech bro who wore shirts that were just a little too tight. The pleasant but serious-looking female developer. She must have resting bitch face, I thought. The employees buzzed around and the building seemed to hum with energy. Joel with his easy-going nature and a brain for data science would fit right in.

A few weeks later I come home from work and Joel greets me with a huge grin. He aced his phone screen and he has an on-site interview at Medallion next week!

Joel spent five hours interviewing with 3 employees and a panel. It was exhaustingly brutal but after waiting a nerve-wracking 2 weeks, he got an offer. I couldn't have been more excited for him. He would be working in an innovations group on data collection and applications. It was so top secret that he couldn't tell me any more details. I didn't ask questions and just felt insanely proud and happy for him.

Joel suggests we take an urban hike to hit up our favorite restaurant and dessert spots downtown to celebrate.

"Why don't you wear those new boots and that coat you just got?" he suggests.

Like I need an excuse to get dressed up. As I zip up my boots I start thinking of the juicy pork chop that I'll soon be enjoying. We take a walk downtown and get seated at our usual table for dinner. Then we walk a few blocks to grab a quick dessert. It's still pretty early but we start heading back. It's a crisp night and Joel's eyes wander upward, drawn to a collection of red bows tied to the trees overhead.

"Hey, don't those bows look like the ones we saw on vacation in Rome last summer?" he asks. 

They do. "Yeah... That's weird," I say. My eyes follow them off into the distance.

He must be thinking the same thing because I hear him whisper, "Let's follow them." I'm game.

They lead us past the cafe where we had our first coffee date. The cafe is full even at this hour and as I walk past the window, I catch a glimpse of purple hair. The lady quickly looks up and smiles at me. I swear she looked at me like she knew me. She smiled at me warmly but all I could do was frown slightly as I tried to place her.

The bows jump across the street and through the park where we've spent many lazy weekends stretched out on blankets, reading books or playing scrabble. It's like we're taking a walk down memory lane. I feel Joel's hand squeeze mine. I look up and see him point his chin toward our apartment. The bows end. At our apartment. Is it just a coincidence? Joel shrugs but I can see that twinkle in his eye. The kind he has when he's desperately trying to keep a good secret.

He doesn't say anything so we just go upstairs to our unit and start getting ready to turn in. We crawl into bed and Joel takes my hand in his. I can feel him tracing the promise ring I wear on my left hand. We exchanged matching bands 2 years ago while vacationing on Santorini. I'm drifting off to sleep when I feel him slip a ring on my finger. It clicks against my promise ring. My eyes snap open and his face comes into focus. I think he's been staring at me while I sleep. My eyes go from his face to the sparkling engagement ring on my hand. Before he can even ask me to marry him, I smile and say, "Yes!"

We share a tender kiss cut short by a knock on the door. Who could that be? I wonder.

Joel jumps out of bed and opens the front door. It's the CEO of Medallion. That's weird.

The CEO congratulates us and beams. He shakes Joel's hand vigorously and starts talking excitedly about ratings and demographics. Unbeknownst to me, our proposal was secretly recorded. Ahead of time Joel made a deal with the CEO to have our proposal released online. It was the exact type of content Medallion was looking for to move into their new frontier. I feel sick. I thought it was a special moment between just the two of us. Was that why he wanted me to wear my new boots and coat? So I would look good on camera? My eyes focus on the engagement ring on my hand and then start to scan the room. Were there cameras inside our apartment now? I look at Joel with wounded eyes but he doesn't meet my gaze. That's really out of character for him.

We're invited to attend Medallion's company party next month to celebrate our successful engagement and their foray into original content. I agree to go but it's hard to ignore the pit in my stomach. Now I have to spend an evening with the people who stole our engagement from us? Joel pleads with me to put on a happy face and enjoy the evening. It'll be so good for his career and it'll help us in the long run.

At the company party I notice some of the same employees I saw while we followed the red bows. The lady with the purple hair. They had been recording us along the way. No wonder why she smiled at me. She must've been happy for us... And thinking about the company bonus coming her way.

I get introduced to a woman named Jennifer "No Uterus" Hansen, the girlfriend of one of Medallion's star employees.

"Uh... How do you know she has no uterus? Isn't that sort of private?" I ask.

"We know because we had it removed," the CEO replies nonchalantly.

"Aren't you a data and analytics company? Why would you have it removed?"

He looks at me like I'm dumb or naive. Or both. "Because we can't afford to have any of our employees go on maternity or paternity leave."

A chill goes down my spine. I smile politely and turn away toward Joel. I lightly touch my stomach and look at him. I'm not showing yet. Do they know?

Joel doesn't answer but communicates with his eyes. They don't.

I want to get out of there. Like now. A million questions race through my mind as we gather our coats and make our way out. We decide to walk home so that we can talk. Why did he agree to take this job? So that he could provide for us. Did he know about their family planning "policy?" It wasn't disclosed until after he accepted.

"Why don't you just resign?" I ask. "You barely just started."

"This company falls in the category of innovative business. The type the government wants to grow and support. In the last few months they passed legislation to allow firms like this to switch from at-will employment to for-life employment. That means I don't get a say in when I can leave," he sighs. "They own me. Us."

The blood drains from my face. I look up to see that we're approaching our building.

I reach for the handle to our lobby and turn to him, "Do you think our apartment is -"

He finishes my question, "Bugged?" He nods.

He doesn't have to say another word. We're a team and together, we're determined to figure a way out of this mess.

Quick and easy chicken burgers

One of the staples in our household is chicken burgers. They're relatively easy to make and freeze great. They're super juicy, tasty, and a hit with our kid. The recipe is very forgiving so if you're missing some things you can just make it with ingredients you have on hand.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground chicken (we use organic thigh meat which has a higher fat content)
• 1 slice of whole wheat bread - ground up (or any type of bread you have)
• 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 onion run through a grinder (optional). Alternatively you can just add diced pan-fried onions to the meat mixture.
• 1 teaspoon garlic granules (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional - I don't really like the flavor so I prefer leaving it out)

Typically we'll use about 2 pounds worth of ground chicken which makes about 8 regular or 10 small patties.

Grind up one slice of whole wheat bread (or any kind of bread you have on hand).

Here's how fine the ground up bread crumbs should look - smaller than the size of peas.

Put the bread crumbs into a large mixing bowl.

Onion is optional but it makes the burger extra juicy. I've also used chopped up mushrooms instead of onion.

Grind up onion to a very fine consistency.

Add the chicken and onion to the breadcrumbs in the bowl.

Alternatively you can add diced pan-fried onions instead of ground up onion.

Add worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, salt, and garlic granules. You can also salt each patty when you cook them instead of adding it to the meat mixture - you'll end up using less salt this way.

Mix everything so it's incorporated. Don't over mix otherwise the meat will be tough.

Spoon the mixture into a frying pan on medium heat and shape into patties. Salt each side if you didn't add salt to the meat mixture.

Flip over when a nice brown crust develops (takes a few minutes).

Makes about 8-10 patties - pop whatever you don't eat into the freezer.

We prepare our burgers with typical fixings - toasted buns, grilled onions, ketchup, pickles, lettuce or spinach, a slice of tomato, and avocado.

Sometimes I'll have the patty in a wrap when we don't have burger buns on hand or I'll just use regular sandwich bread.

Juicy and delicious. You might have more than one!