Weeknights are wild. There are hobby meetings, sports events, date nights, late-night work calls, kids’ bath time, TV show premiers (of course), and there’s also… dinner?
Trying to cram in making a recipe, eating dinner (let alone enjoying the meal) and cleaning the kitchen in under an hour always seemed like it would take some sort of divine intervention. Well, let me introduce you to the power pressure cooker, aka the game changer.
The power pressure cooker makes the impossible possible. You can create a healthy, balanced meal in under an hour from start to finish. Even decadent dishes such as braised short ribs or whole meals such as salmon with potatoes and broccoli can be enjoyed from start to finish with breeze on a weeknight.
Is there anything easier than throwing your whole meal in one pot and letting the pot do the work? I can’t think of anything. It’s as if you significantly upgraded the already kitchen staple, the crockpot.
Here are some of my favorite power pressure cooker recipes to get 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 such as fresh ginger, garlic and spinach this 20-minute soup is good for you in every which way.
This quick ramen is balanced with lean protein from the chicken and soft-boiled eggs, starches from the noodles, and a salty broth that makes you crave more!
To bump this recipe up even more nutritionally, try doubling the carrot and spinach for extra vitamin power.
2. 4-minute Salmon, Broccoli and Potatoes
What is better than a perfectly balanced meal in just 4 minutes? I can’t think of anything!
This wonderfully fatty fish blends so well with the super food broccoli and starch of the potatoes that you won’t believe it was done in such a short amount of time!
Salmon is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids (aka fish oil) that helps our heart, skin, joints, GI tract, and much more!
3. Beef Gyros
A warm pita wrapped around freshly made gyros, toppings, and even Tzatziki sauce, oh my! This recipe goes from fridge to plate in under an hour with only 15 minutes of prep time!
When creating the Tzatziki sauce, be sure to grab 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 some extra fiber too!
4. Shrimp Boil
This recipe is perfect for summer beach nights, a classic shrimp boil recipe that you don’t have to spend all day preparing! This recipe is fun finger food to the max! It is delicious, satisfying and tastes the best when served on a picnic table.
To take this recipe to the next level, adjust the proportions of veggies to protein. By increasing the corn and decreasing the amount of Andouille sausage, you can decrease the total sodium and calories while increasing the fiber and vitamins!
5. Mexican Quinoa
The perfect one pot meal with fiber, protein, and lots of flavor! This is a vegetarian and meat-lover dream!
Quinoa is the perfect substitution for white rice in this classic recipe while complimenting the beans to create a protein filled dish. Plus the addition of all those vegetables creates a meal that is bursting with flavor. Top this Mexican quinoa with fresh avocado to perfectly round it out.
6. Lo Mein
This Lo Mein will stomp any greasy, take-out craving you have without the usual guilt! It is not very often, you can replace a sinful bowl of take-out with something so delicious and easy to make at home!
Make this Lo Mein in less than 15 minutes from start to finish. That’s faster than it takes for the delivery person to show up at the door!
7. Whole “Rotisserie” Chicken
Everyone knows that the secret to batch cooking is to have a whole chicken cooked to use in various ways throughout the week!
This recipe makes the most perfectly moist rotisserie chicken that can be used as is, for tacos, for soup, and for sandwiches all week long!
Tip: keep the bones and scraps to make an amazing chicken stock to have on hand! Cooking the stock longer and at a lower temperature will create a delicious bone broth rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins.
8. Chicken and Lentil Soup
This is the coziest soup around! Rich in protein, fiber, and B vitamins, this soup will meet all your cravings!
It also couldn’t be easier for a rushed weekday meal, all you have to do is chop and let your power pressure cooker do the work!
In just 30 minutes, you will have a warming soup that the whole family can enjoy!
9. Vegan Quinoa Burrito Bowls
Is there anyone out there that doesn’t enjoy a good burrito bowl? This veggie bowl is the perfect one-pot meal that is easily customizable!
From vegans to meat-lovers, everyone will enjoy this easy, fiber-rich bowl. Add whatever toppings you please to create a burrito bowl that is just as good as a restaurant’s!
10. Rice and Beans
The classic rice and beans dish is a staple for many reasons. It is full of perfectly complimented proteins, great texture, and balanced seasonings. Now, you can create this filling balanced meal in under an hour! No more pre-soaking those beans!
This perfectly seasoned, filling balanced meal will have everyone fighting for another bowl!
11. Summer Quinoa Salad
Your fresh in-season berries were made for this quick salad!
Take this nutrient dense salad to a party or serve it as light, summer dinner to have everyone asking for the recipe!
The quinoa, fruit, vegetables, and nuts create a dish that is perfectly balanced with all the food groups. You can top this salad with cooked chicken breast or leave it as-is to meet everyone needs!
12. Minestrone Soup
This Minestrone Soup is quick and veggie full making it perfect for any weeknight 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 increase the fiber and B vitamins of this tasty dish!
13. Lemon Garlic Chicken
Make your protein and side dish at the same time with flavorful chicken that the whole family will love! In less than an hour, you can have a beautiful and balanced plate with veggies and protein.
This flavorful lemon garlic chicken will give you the protein and excitement to spice up any plate!
14. Chicken Fajitas
Quick, easy and very few dirty dishes are used to create these fajitas that will rival even your favorite Mexican restaurant!
Feel free to top these with whatever you wish but be sure to include fresh avocado for a bump-up in vitamins and minerals.
Tip: If you enjoy sour cream on your fajitas, opt for plain Greek yogurt that is higher in protein, lower in calories, and just as tasty!
15. Coconut Chicken Curry
A big bowl of coconut chicken curry over rice is what dreams are made of! This bright, flavorful dish is full of vegetables and lean protein without the dryness!
What can usually take a few hours, create this colorful dish in just 30 minutes with your power pressure cooker!
16. Cashew Chicken
This take-out classic can be on your plate in just 20-minutes but you can pretend you took hours to create it when everyone asks for the recipe! You can double the green bell pepper to increase the veggies without sacrificing any flavor. Serve this classic over brown rice for extra fiber and minerals.
17. Meatloaf
Meatloaf has been a menu staple since sliced bread but never did it only take 20 minutes to make! This recipe includes the meatloaf and the 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 fast to make!
Despite its apparent roots in the crockpot concept, power pressure cooker meals are apt to be much healthier. Without the need for fatty sauces to create flavor and prevent dryness, the power pressure cooker uses the heat generated by the water to cook the food. This leads to more flavor without dryness and overall leaner meals.
The power pressure cooker is the answer for anyone striving for healthy, balanced meals with a crazy weeknight schedule.
It really can do it all. You won’t be disappointed and you’ll feel great after enjoying healthy, balanced meals while easily juggling all the activities you enjoy!
