Ella Dawson (1)

Normally, I find some redeeming quality in most cookbooks. This one just irritates the ever-loving hell out of me.

There's no explanation for which model of IP was used even though the author describes multiple buttons across multiple models.

First two recipes: Hard boiled Eggs and Soft Boiled Eggs. A) The eggs are not boiled, they are pressure cooked. Details matter. B) Magically, when you pressure cook longer, the food loses calories! C) The USDA food database says one 50g egg has ~72 calories (not 55, not 130). D) Even though the soft boiled egg recipe calls for 4 minutes and the hard boiled calls for 8 minutes, the total time for the recipes are both 10 minutes.

3rd recipe: Cinnamon Bread Pudding includes the instructions "...cut the bread into smaller pieces..." Again, details matter. What size pieces? Should they be cut to fit the bottom of the pan I'm supposed to use? Can they be bite size cubes? Also includes the instructions "...allow to stay for about 15 minutes." I'm being snobby about this; but it should say "allow bread to soak in milk-egg mixture for about 15 minutes." Also, who serves bread pudding cold? Is this really a thing? Total time: 1 hour (included timings: 15 minute soak, 25 minutes under pressure)

4th recipe: Tomatoes Poached Eggs. Is this eggs poached in tomatoes? Tomatoes poached in eggs? Maybe it's a choose your own adventure! Instructions include "...break eggs and pour onto the ramekins" and "[s]erve the eggs on the bread slices and top with the tomatoes..." FYI, the recipe serves four and calls for 2 cherry tomatoes. If you like tomatoes, this is not your recipe. Another recipe that calls for total time = 10 minutes.

Just a note about total time. Total time = come to pressure time + cook time + release time. Just taking an average, come to pressure time is minimum 8 minutes. Quick release is minimum 3 min. Natural release is minimum 10 minutes. YMMV depending on the volume of your recipe and/or the size of your IP.

5th recipe: Instant Fresh Fruit Yogurt. This is a freaking hot mess. A) not instant -- yogurt takes time to incubate. B) there is nothing here about sterilizing the jars or using band and lids. C) the recipe calls for 2 cups fresh fruit and then never tells you to use the fruit.

Something that grates my nerves for (nearly) every. single. recipe. The author writes "...cover the pot tightly..." There is zero way to tighten the IP lid. You can align it badly so the lid doesn't seal; but you cannot "cover tightly."

Details matter. Every step can lead to confusion because no two people have the same skill level in the kitchen. This cookbook is such a terrible example of how to write a cookbook. It pains me to see this sort of thing on the market. Some first time owner of an Instant Pot is going to read this cookbook, try the recipes, and get frustrated because they are confused or the recipe fails. Then, they potentially will blame the IP and not the cookbook.

Something I can't figure out is if this is from Instant Pot, the company, or if they just licensed their name/logo. I would be kinda horrified to find my brand attached to such a poorly written and edited product.

This entire cookbook feels like the author just trolled through dozens of IP blogs, grabbed recipes, and edited the recipe just enough to avoid infringement.… (mehr)

Vegetarian Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Cookbook: 170 Healthy & Delicious Plant-Based Recipes for Vegetarians & Vegans by Ella Dawson
This book starts out with table of contents where recipes are broken up into meal and food categories. Intro starts with discussion of the instant pot and what vegetarians do eat and the health aspects they obtain.
Instant pot modes are discussed in detail and why and when to use them. Each chapter starts with a colorful picture.
Each recipe starts with a title, total time and servings.
Nutritional information: calories, carbs, protein and fat.
List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure you have them all before you start.
Directions are given. There are NO pictures of recipes.
Going to try a few of these.
A KEEPER… (mehr)