Four years ago, Doug asked if I’d be interested in an Instant Pot (pressure cooker) for Christmas. My ears heard ‘Crock Pot’, to which I whole-heartedly replied, ‘Yes!’
On that Christmas morning, I carefully opened the package, but much to my surprise, an Instant Pot was revealed! Doug, beaming, expected me to be doing the same. Instead, I looked puzzled thinking he’d made a mistake, when, in fact, the mistake was mine. I smiled, thanked Doug, graciously accepted the gift, and placed it in a closet.
Current day:
My daughter Mandy was just here for a visit. Before she arrived we planned to prepare a few family favorites together – including yalanchi. I told her I was considering making something with my never-used Instant Pot and she was thrilled to hear that I finally felt comfortable enough to step out of my comfort zone.
Allow me to explain my IP apprehension: Back in my early days in the kitchen, pressure cookers were used on the stovetop. Sometimes the pressure within the pot was so intense, it would literary blow the lid off, often creating a hole in the ceiling.
Mandy assured me that wouldn’t happen in the IP, so we unpacked it, did a dry-run with the ‘machine’, and she guided me like a pro. (It’s pretty funny that my daughter was giving me, a retired culinary teacher, a lesson in cooking!)
With Mandy helping, I agreed to give it a try.
The recipe we chose to make came from Ani Ehramjian, cousin Margaret’s twenty-something-year-old daughter. I had seen on FB Ani’s photo of the yalanchi she made using an Instant Pot, and it looked delicious.
To help with our experiment, Ani sent me her family’s recipe for ‘Stuffed Grape Leaves – the Instant Pot version’.
Mandy and I worked side-by-side, made some slight adjustments to the recipe, and were very pleased with the final outcome.
Many thanks to Ani for the recipe, and to Mandy for helping me overcome my anxiety about cooking with a pressure cooker!!
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Hi Robyn!
I'm still considering the purchase of an Instant Pot (and an air-fryer and a bread maker and...)
You and Mandy did a beautiful of rolling your Yalanchi.
Did Ani explain why you do NOT put a plate on top of the rolled leaves when cooking? It seems counterintuitive.
Thanks!
I'll ask her. :)
I asked Ani about not placing a plate on top of the yalanchi in the IP. Here's what she said:
"I think it’s because under pressure the plate can explode. The pressure in the pot seems to keep the leaves together so they won’t unravel.
However, I’m sure it can be done with a plate that is safe in the pot. I know there are sites that speak about safe materials. I haven’t had the need; I just pack them tight and then pour in my liquid."
I hope this helps!