Instant Pot for Christmas? Try this beginner recipe

Well, I did it. I bought an Instant Pot! So many of my friends kept talking about theirs, I just had to go for it, especially when I found the one I thought I wanted on sale for $59. I just got it a couple weeks ago, so I’ve only made a few things, but it’s been great.

The first thing I tried was BBQ shredded chicken and so far, it’s my favorite IP recipe. All you need is four ingredients and less than half an hour to do it all, that even includes cooking time. And it’s an easy dump and go recipe. I know a lot of people do pulled pork in their IP but I prefer chicken to pork so this is a nice switch-up. Give the recipe a try and please let me know what you think.

INSTANT POT SHREDDED CHICKEN

Ingredients

• 1 pound skinless chicken breasts cut into smaller pieces

• Salt & pepper or your favorite chicken seasoning

• 1 cup BBQ sauce

• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth

Instructions

- Season chicken

- Pour chicken broth into pot - Place chicken in the bottom of pot

- Pour ½ cup of BBQ sauce on top of chicken

- Lock lid in place

- Manual High pressure for 10 minutes. (Press Pressure Cook/ Manual button & then the + or – to choose 10 minutes)

- When cooking cycle has ended, let pot sit undisturbed for 15 minutes to naturally release the pressure. After 15 minutes, manually release in case there’s pressure left

- Shred chicken with either two forks or a blender

- Pour ½ BBQ sauce into shredded chicken and stir

- Chow down & email your thoughts to Hal.

NEW FOOD LABEL?

A new study says food labels that include exercise advice might help battle obesity. U.K. researchers say their proposed system, which is called Physical Activity Calorie Equivalent or PACE, would show how many minutes or miles of physical activity are needed to burn off the calories in a given food or drink. The study says this information could save a person up to 200 calories per day. But critics worry it’s unhealthy and might be a trigger for those with eating disorders.

GENTLE CAFFEINE

Soon you won’t have to reach for coffee or tea to get your caffeine fix. Nestle is working on caffeinated water for the new year. A spokesman says “customers are telling us they’re kind of in an energy crisis, that they need a boost and are looking for help with hydration but sometimes water doesn’t cut it.”

MEATLESS TACOS

It’s not available yet but Taco Bell says it’s developing a meatless meat option. Watch for the Oatrageous Taco, which contains “meat” made from pulled oats and legumes and seasoned with the same flavors as actual ground beef. Taco Bell is also said to be coming up with a meatless substitute made from sheep’s milk for the Crunchwrap.