How to Use an Instant Pot: A First-Timer’s Guide

Got a new Instant Pot but not sure where to begin? We’ve got you covered! Think of this as your driver’s ed. You’ll be pressure cooking easy dinners, pantry basics, and desserts (yes, desserts!) in no time.

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The Biggest Food Trends of 2018

Another year, another set of hot new trends in the culinary world. And no, that doesn’t include Tide Pods (we do have some standards here at Chowhound). But you will find below an eclectic list of what kept the food world buzzing in 2018, including everything from familiar favorites that have been given new life to crazy new concoctions that you never would have anticipated, and even a hot-button environmental issue. Let’s reflect on what was cookin’ these last 12 months.

High-End Korean Dining

Atomix NYC

Way back in January, David Chang made his long-awaited Los Angeles debut with Majordōmo and he did not disappoint. The risk-taking chef eschewed his tried-and-true Momofuku standards for inventive Korean fare. That roll of the dice has certainly paid off–the restaurant earned near-universal praise and continues to be one of the city’s hottest dining destinations. Four months later in New York, husband-and-wife team Junghyun and Ellia Park opened Atomix, an intimate chef’s table experience. The multi-course tasting menu, which alternates between modern and classic Korean dishes, earned raves, including a glowing three-star review in “The New York Times.” Majordomo and Atomix weren’t the country’s first Korean dining destinations, but the runaway success of both restaurants makes it clear that they won’t be the last.

Stainless Steel Drink Straws, Set of 4, $7.95 on Amazon

Nothings trendier than saving the turtles!

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Roman-Style Pizza

Bonci Chicago

The square Sicilian slice has long been a staple at pizza shops across the U.S. Finally, its Roman counterpart has gotten its due. Also known as pizza al taglio, these ethereal rectangles of crunchy, cheesy heaven sold by the ounce or slice are light and airy thanks to a three-day cold fermentation process. The best purveyors, such as Chicago’s Bonci and PQR in New York, always have multiple options on offer featuring an ever-changing rotation of topping combinations.

CBD-Infused Food and Drinks

Offering a myriad of potential health benefits and an ample dose of novelty, CBD is finding its way into an increasing number of food and beverage offerings. The use of the marijuana-derived cannabinoid is not limited to pre-packaged treats, it’s also become an additive-of-choice for freshly made preparations in bars, restaurants, coffee shops, juice bars, bakeries, and so on and so forth. Despite the fact that CBD isn’t a hallucinogen, it still falls under the same drug classification as weed. That means that it’s still illegal in most of the U.S., and even in the states where it is allowed, Food and Drug Administration regulations and local red tape aren’t making the production of CBD-infused products easy. But as legalization continues to spread across the country, so too will the CBD culinary craze.

Katsu Sando

SakaMai NYC

Though it’s pure kryptonite to keto adherents, the Japanese katsu sando proved to be a hit for those who don’t mind a little carb on carb action. The preparation is simple: pile panko-crusted cutlets of meat (pork is king but beef and chicken work too), a handful of chopped cabbage, and some sweet and tangy tonkatsu sauce on two slices of toasted, crustless white bread (ideally of the fluffy milk variety). Cut in half and enjoy! Just be sure to steer clear of the comically overpriced, viral wagyu versions unless you enjoy the taste of regret.

Brut IPA

New Belgium Brewing

It took less than a year for brut IPA to go from brand-spanking new cult sensation to a craft beer mainstay. Retailers have devoted increasing shelf space to the style, with major breweries such as Stone and New Belgium getting in on the action. Bone-dry and effervescent with heavy hop presence and a pale appearance, it’s the perfect antidote to the ever-popular juicy hazy IPA.

Marine Collagen

Vital Proteins

Wellness fads come and go, but this year, supplements derived from marine collagen made quite a splash with the Goop faithful. These powders may be extracted from the scales, skin, bones, and fins of salmon and cod but thankfully you wouldn’t know that from their taste–they come in a variety of non-fishy flavors such as strawberry and blueberry. While marine collagen packs in plenty of protein, whether it actually lives up to its billing as the key to healthier skin and relieving joint pain remains to be seen.

Cheese Tea

Little Fluffy Head Tea

This Taiwanese import sounds like a beverage only Steve Urkel would enjoy. But somehow the seemingly incongruous duo of cold tea topped with a frothy cloud of fromage actually works. The sweet and salty cheese provides an ideal pairing with the bitter and fruity notes of its leaf-based counterpart. One sip and you’ll be left perplexed though ultimately satisfied, and with a thick white moustache to boot.

Edible Glitter

Amazon

Anyone who has ever had the misfortune of dealing with a glitter bomb is well aware that once that explosion goes off, the little suckers find their way everywhere. The same can be said for the explosion of edible glitter. Those consumable flecks of color and shine became an internet sensation in 2017 and their popularity only grew in 2018, ending up in everything from chicken wings to beer.

Vegan Protein

Beyond Meat

It’s a great time to be a vegan, at least when it comes to eating. While lab-based alternative meat creations from companies like Impossible and Beyond have been game changers, the emergence of non-traditional protein sources such as peas and algae are gaining in market share. These all-natural options offer great flavor, plenty of health benefits, and sustainability, a winning combination in the vegan food world.

Anti-Plastic Straw Movement

Repurpose

There’s no question the planet has a plastics problem, and it’s only getting worse. As waste continues to rapidly accumulate, sustainable solutions have become a necessity. Enter California, where the state approved a bill to restrict the use of plastic straws. Though not an outright ban, the legislation helps pave the way for a shift to more environmentally-friendly methods of providing liquid to mouth transportation. The bill’s impact remains to be seen, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Related Video: 4 Expert-Approved Kitchen Trends to Try in 2019

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Gingerbread Men Cookies

BEST Gingerbread Men Cookies! Deeply flavored with spices and molasses, tender or crispy depending on how long you bake them.

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Meal Prep Containers That Will Get You Excited About Making Your Own Lunch

We know. Making your lunch and bringing it to work can seem somewhat…laborious. All that chopping and big batching on Sunday takes work, but it’s also the only way to stay on your keto, paleo, or Whole30 plan starting January 2. What you need is motivation—and that can come in the form of the right meal prep container. Which is why we rounded up some of our favorites—the good-looking and functional ones that will not only put you in the lunch-making spirit but maybe transform you into one of those people who never spends $15 on an overpriced chopped salad again.

Glass Storage Containers with Lids, $38 on Amazon

Amazon

This 18-piece set is a dream for portioning out soups, stews, and brown-rice bowls and then tossing them in your work bag—the snap lids are completely spill-proof. (Hot tip: Use the tiniest one to tote condiments and dressings.)See it

Stasher Reusable Storage Bags, $40 on Sur La Table

Sur la Table

May you never buy another plastic bag again. These reusable silicone wunderkinds come in a variety of sizes (there are three in this set). Use one for your sando and the baby ones for cut carrots and berries.See it

Ball Quart Jar, $12 for Two on Amazon

Amazon

We know you’ve maybe heard of this one before, but still, there’s nothing more satisfying than constructing a gorgeous Mason jar salad, which is pretty much the perfect way to beat the “sad desk salad” blues.See it

Ello Meal Prep Container Set, $59 on Macy’s

Macy’s

These glass containers are wrapped in silicone to prevent from chipping, and the fun colors mean you’ll always be able to identify your lunch in the shared fridge at work.See it

Oxo Good Grips Leakproof On-The-Go Salad Container, $16 on Amazon

Amazon

This genius three-layer salad container separates your proteins and toppings from your greens, and a mini container with a twist-off top keeps your dressing in check.See it

Sistema Snacks Containers, $15.80 on Amazon

Amazon

Stash hummus and carrots or veggies and almonds in these tiny transparent cubes that have two layers. Suddenly your 3pm snack slump doesn’t automatically mean traipsing over to the vending machine.See it

Prepd Pack, $69 on Prepd.com

Prepd

This genius pack has a sleek bamboo cover and a Tetris-like modular design with containers that are completely spill-proof. (You can buy different sizes to mix and match.) Plus, it comes with magnetic cutlery, which decreases your chances of accidentally tossing one in the trash.

Takenaka Expanded Double Bento Box, $32 on Amazon

Amazon

Prove that you’re a Millennial who can actually cook (or at least one who remembers to bring those leftovers your friend gave you to work) with this double-decker bento box that can be converted into a one-tier box, too, depending on your haul.See it

Unichart Stainless Steel Square Lunch Box, $29 on Amazon

Amazon

This adorable triple-decker box isn’t just a looker: the top layer will keep your food warm for two to three hours.

Related Video: The One Sunday Night Meal Prep Kit That Keeps You Eating Healthy All Week

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Five Coffee Resolutions for the New Year

While everybody else is busy making empty promises about going to the gym and finally cleaning out the fridge, you could be considering making some caffeinated upgrades to your life in the new year. It’s not all that much of a stretch to suggest that improvements to your coffee routine are actually good for everyone, since they will probably make you a happier, more conscious, and certainly more awake person (at least some of the time). So you’re actually doing a public service while taking care of your java necessities; just think about it that way.

OXO On Barista Brain 9-Cup Coffee Maker, $199.95 on Amazon

Perhaps an equipment upgrade is in order for the new year too?

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Here are five simple coffee resolutions you might attempt this year, and they’re all as easy as A, B, C (for Cappuccino).

1. Befriend your barista.

Move over, bartenders of the world: Baristas are the true besties of the service industry. Sure, both work behind counters and both have the chance to see you at your most vulnerable, but baristas are there to start your day off right, and the right interaction over a latte or black coffee can set the tone for the day. Plus, when has a bartender ever handed you a scone with maple icing on top? If you frequent a café and manage to see the same employees every morning, don’t be shy about asking how their day’s been going before blurting out, “Gimme a cappuccino.” Who knows what “perks” might come with being a little extra nice? (Did somebody say “free drinks?”)

2. Buy better coffee.

Of course you’re already a coffee connoisseur, and you don’t need us to tell you that you should invest in coffee that tastes great. Now is a great time to make sure that your great-tasting coffee is also hitting the other “better” marks: Is it sustainably grown? Was it ethically traded? Are you happy supporting the business you bought it from? These can feel like huge, sticky questions, but taking them one by one can make the questions manageable to answer.

Sustainable farming can be determined by whether there are certifications like organic or Rainforest Alliance, though those aren’t necessary. Other indicators are things like pictures of a farm with shade trees, and a story about producers who care about conservation. Ethical trading follows that same line: If there’s a “fair trade” logo on the bag, ethical sourcing is a pretty safe bet. Other ways to tell that the farmer was probably paid a decent wage will be whether his or her name is on the bag, and the actual cost of the roasted beans. (If you’re buying a pound of coffee for anything less than $15, chances are the farmer’s getting squashed, in all honesty.) And lastly, what kind of businesses do you visit for your coffee? Do the employees seem happy and respected? Do they have the energy and resources to provide good and positive hospitality experiences? Do they know a lot about the coffee and seem interested? If you’re being greeted by blank stares (or no stares at all—avoid any café where the staff avoids eye contact), it might be time to take your money elsewhere.

Shutterstock

3. Sit and savor it.

We’re all in a rush, and every year, every day, every hour seems to go by quicker and quicker. Of course it’s hard to fit everything we have to do into the course of a day or a week, but just having a busy schedule shouldn’t mean that rest time and reflection aren’t priorities. If you are the eat-lunch-at-your-desk type and find that you’re scrambling all day to accomplish all your to-dos, try to find at least 15 minutes every week to take yourself out for coffee, or to set aside a quiet moment to sip and think without any other distractions. This means not drinking coffee in the car, not guzzling it in between taps on the keyboard all day, and actually tasting it and experiencing the sensory pleasures that a good cup of coffee can offer. After all, if the world or your job collapses because you took 15 minutes for yourself, then something seems pretty wrong, don’t you think?

4. Phone a friend.

Once you get a little bit used to taking that 15 minutes out for yourself in a week, try adding a little socialization to the mix once or twice a month. Phone a friend for a pre-work coffee date, schedule a meetup after work at a café instead of a bar, or relax on a weekend to catch up with a chum over mochas and cookies. Whoever you think makes good coffee company, call or text them with an invitation to grab a cup soon: You might be amazed at how much better everything tastes over good conversation.

5. Don’t fear the decaf.

Now, we know we said that these coffee tips would help you wake up, and for the most part we are advocates for coffee as a getting-going resource in the morning. Every once in a while, though, it’s important to remember that there are other reasons to love coffee besides just the jolt it provides, and that occasionally taking a break by doing the decaf can offer some really tangible benefits. For one thing, going full- or half-decaf can help soothe a body during anxious or stressed-out periods, and it can also help regulate off-kilter sleeping schedules. An occasional decaf coffee also means you can share a pot with a friend who’s given the stuff up during pregnancy or nursing. It might even give your caffeine tolerance a reboot, so that a little bit goes a longer way when you get back onto the “regular” coffee train. Join us in the new version of that old rally cry, “Decaf before death!”

Related Video: How to Clean Almost Every Coffee Maker

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What Is the Difference Between Seaweed and Kelp?

Whole Foods recently released its annual list of predicted healthy food trends for next year. Among the weird (cleaning supplies with probiotics) and the predictable (eco-conscious packaging), you’ll find the “marine munchies” category is still going strong in 2019. (That’s food made with the vegetable bounty of the sea.) Which means we’re all more than likely to be staring down more kelp noodles and seaweed-based after-school snacks this year. But what’s the difference between kelp and seaweed?

First, the similarities. Both are types of algae and are considered marine vegetables. Both are also incredibly nutritious, packed with vitamin A, calcium, iron, zinc, and iodine. Note, though, that both seaweed and kelp also have large amounts of iodine. Since too much iodine can negatively affect your thyroid, don’t plan on an excess of kelp-only smoothies.

Premium Roasted Organic Seaweed, $14.94 on Amazon

Organic nori makes a healthy, salty snack on the go!

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The difference between the two are subtle. Most of us know seaweed from eating nori rolls. But seaweed is more than just those dry, crackly sheets of edible paper. The word “seaweed” is really a catch-all term that covers red, brown, and green varieties of this particular type of algae. It can grow in a number of marine-based environments such as lakes, rivers, and oceans, though it’s often mistaken as only saltwater-based.

Korean Bap Sang

If you’re interested in trying different types of seaweed, there are many varieties to choose from. In addition to the dark green nori (which is actually in the red seaweed family), it’s worth getting to know dulsi, also a red seaweed, and wakame, a type of brown varietal. Dulse is mostly eaten dried and its flavor is often compared to bacon. So, yes, go ahead and think of it like a healthier version of bacon. On the other hand, wakame has a bit of a sweeter flavor and when dried can be rehydrated to use in salads and other dishes.

Though kelp is also a type of seaweed, it grows only in saltwater environments, which is why it’s harvested near rocky ocean coastlines. Because kelp is so much bigger than other varieties of algae, it needs the continuous movement of the water to get its nutrients. Kelp also doesn’t float around like seaweed. It stays in a single spot due to a root-like system called a “holdfast” that anchors it to the ocean floor and allows groups of kelp to grow together. Little bags of air help the heavy stalks to float.

gimMe Snacks

Kombu is the Japanese translation of kelp, so don’t fret if you see that word listed among the ingredients on the packaging of your new favorite snack. It’s also the primary ingredient in dashi, the broth used in many Japanese dishes. If you’ve had miso soup, you’ve tried kelp.

How To Use Both

Corn with Black Pepper Togarashi

A great example of using dried seaweed as a seasoning. The dried nori adds a pop of umami to the flavorful Japanese red pepper. Get our Corn with Black Pepper Togarashi recipe.

Quinoa Tabbouleh with Marinated Tuna, Shiitakes, and Bonito-Rosemary Aioli

Ed Anderson

This is a seriously time-intensive dish, make no mistake. But it perfectly showcases how kelp, used here in a homemade dashi broth, can elevate an entire meal. Get the recipe for yourself. Get our Quinoa Tabbouleh with Marinated Tuna, Shiitakes, and Bonito-Rosemary Aioli recipe.

Smashed Avocado, Kelp Noodle, and Lemon Bowl

Want a faster and easier meal to make? Use kelp noodles for the base of a salad. This vegan recipe demonstrates how it works well with flavorful staples such as avocado and lemon, and shouldn’t take you more than 10 minutes to put together. Get the Smashed Avocado, Kelp Noodle, and Lemon Bowl recipe.

Toasted Sesame and Seaweed Popcorn

Dawn Jackson Blantner

Next time you decide to Netflix and chill, do it with popcorn that will also give you a mineral and vitamin boost. Get the Toasted Sesame and Seaweed Popcorn recipe.

Wakame Salad

Pisang Susu

Are you one of the many who are obsessed with seaweed salad every time you go out for sushi? You may be surprised to know that it’s typically made with wakame seaweed. Simply buy dried, rehydrate, and mix together with all of the other sweet and savory ingredients. Get the Wakame Salad recipe.

Seaweed Butter

Kitchn

If you can’t find dried dulse, the recipe provides simple steps to make it at home. This infusion adds a little extra saltiness and oomph in any dish that requires butter. Or, simply spread it on a piece of bread. Either way, your taste buds will be happy.

Related Video: Taste Test – Seaweed Snacks

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Broiled Lobster Tail with Brown Butter Sauce

Throwing a fancy party? Broiled Lobster Tail should definitely be on the menu. This step-by-step guide will show you exactly what to do. Serve with an easy browned butter and toasted hazelnut sauce!

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