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365 Days of Slow Cooking and Pressure Cooking

Easy slow cooker and Instant Pot recipes for each day of the year

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January 18, 2019

A little about me

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Hey there! Just for fun today I’m getting a little personal.

I started my website, 365DaysOfCrockpot.com, 10 years ago this month and I know most all of you have not followed along with my journey the whole time. Maybe none of you. Except my family members. And probably not even them–lol.

So for those of you who are new or not so new I’d like to give you a little background on me. As Toby Keith said, “I wanna talk about me!” Just for today, anyway.

Very nerdy picture of me with an Instant Pot

I grew up in a family where there were 7 girls and NO boys! My dad handled that like a champ!! I was raised in Montana and attended BYU for college where I studied Community Health.

My family circa 1983. Missing is my youngest sister, Melanie. Can you guess which one I am? Also what is up with the hair and glasses?!

I met my husband at college, and after 6 weeks of dating we were engaged. Crazy, I know! But we are still together and will celebrate 19 years of marriage this year! We have a 13-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy.

10 years ago, I made the decision to cook in my slow cooker every day for a year and ended up starting a blog with all the recipes I cooked. Some were bad, and some were good. I got some local media attention which led to exposure and a book deal! I have had 3 books published.

A couple of years ago I decided to focus on Instant Pot recipes in addition to slow cooker recipes. I love my Instant Pot!

10 years later I have hundreds of thousands (sometimes millions) of people coming to my site each month. I owe this success to YOU my loyal readers.

One of my favorite things to do is hike and run. Winters are a little rough on me at times 🙂

I am pleased to announce I am working on a new Instant Pot book! Hooray, I will keep you in the loop, and let you know when it comes out. If you’d like to be added to an email list to give you updates on the book sign up here!

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54 Comments Filed Under: All Recipes

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Comments

  1. Melrose says

    August 11, 2022 at 1:02 pm

    Hello Karen, thank you for all that you do, each week we look forward to one of your recipes
    Watch the recipe regarding YOGURT and I want to try it.
    I was wondering that making RICOTTA should be similar because I use lactose free milk (my husband is Lactose tolerant) boil it until it is a certain time not boil till bubbles show, just gentle than we stir in either vinegar or lemon juice put to the side and wait until it curdles
    Strain the same way as the yogurt.
    Yum it is good.
    My question is, could you do a show showing how to do this in the InstantPot.
    Thank you
    Melrose

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 12, 2022 at 11:07 am

      That sounds great! I’ll have to try it myself!

      Reply
    • Melrose says

      August 12, 2022 at 12:17 pm

      Thank you Karen, let me know if you try it in the Instant Pot
      Melrose

      Reply
  2. Pennie Migliore says

    January 26, 2019 at 12:05 pm

    I have a instant pot gem multicooker. It doesn’t have the pressure cooker feature. All of the recipes seem to be for instant pots with the pressure cooker feature. Do you have recipes for the multicooker? I’ve been looking for a cookbook for my instant pot but can’t find one. Do you have one?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 28, 2019 at 3:19 pm

      Hi Pennie, any of my slow cooker recipes could be used in the Gem: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/category/slow-cooker/
      I don’t have a cookbook for the multicooker yet. 🙁

      Reply
  3. Kim says

    January 23, 2019 at 9:22 am

    It’s so fun to read more about you. Based on your family picture, I’m guessing you and I are close to the same age. When were you at BYU? I also majored in Community Health! We might have been there at the same time. I also grew up in a family of all girls (only 6 though!) And my husband and I met at BYU and were married just 6 months after meeting and celebrate 19 years this year!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 24, 2019 at 12:28 pm

      We are like twins! I was at BYU from 98 to 02. What about you?

      Reply
      • Kim Jones says

        January 31, 2019 at 3:09 pm

        That’s exactly the same time that I was at BYU! We were married in August of 2000, and I had our first baby January 2002,and graduated in April 2002. We might have been in some of the same classes!

        Reply
        • Karen says

          February 1, 2019 at 5:09 pm

          I’m sure we were. Did you have that crazy 9 credit class?

          Reply
  4. Linda says

    January 20, 2019 at 10:41 pm

    Thanks for your blog. You have helped me convert recipes and gain confidence in using a tool my mom told us was dangerous! I use my IP 3-4x week now and share recipes with family & friends often. Bought 3 of my kids an IP, convinced several friends & sister to get one. My sis says I should get paid for promoting them! Keep up the splendid work.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 24, 2019 at 1:08 pm

      Haha! That is great Linda. They are truly amazing!

      Reply
  5. Teresa Howard says

    January 20, 2019 at 10:07 pm

    Hello, I’m new to your site. I don’t think that I have ever heard of the Instant Pot. What is it???
    I have a nice big crock pot that I use quite often and looking forward to finding a lot more receipes. Thank you
    Teresa

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 24, 2019 at 5:25 pm

      The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker. It’s like a slow cooker but fast! It is a great tool!!

      Reply
  6. Joe says

    January 20, 2019 at 6:21 pm

    Love my Instant Pot, and love your delicious recipes! Thanks Karen!
    Joe

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 24, 2019 at 5:20 pm

      Thanks Joe!

      Reply
  7. Carlos says

    January 20, 2019 at 4:05 pm

    Discovered your blog a few weeks ago and have tried a few of your recipes. All great so far. I have your beef stew in my insta pot as I write this. Love you blog, recipes and tips. Thanks for doing what you do.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 24, 2019 at 5:16 pm

      Thanks so much! This is nice to hear 🙂

      Reply
  8. Connie says

    January 20, 2019 at 3:04 pm

    I bought 2 IP Duo’s (one 6 for my college-bound daughter and one 8 for me) when Amazon put them on sale last summer. LOVE THEM! I made a point of studying IP use so I could teach my daughter how to use hers to make sure it wasn’t money wasted. The first thing I focused on perfecting is coconut milk yogurt (she has asthma and doesn’t do dairy). I don’t know how often she makes herself yogurt but her roommates say she is a yogurt queen! My son and I have to negotiate when my IP is available because he makes yogurt in it all the time. He uses different milks and gelatin for his recipe. So far he hasn’t tried making anything else in my IP I’ve started making a no-boil yogurt in jars with homemade nut milk and protiotics. So easy! Love it!

    Question: I drummed into my daughter to always put in 2 cups water (well, 1 cup for her 6) and I remember that every time I use mine. But sometimes I wonder if 2 cups is really necessary when my product is kind of watery. I’m thinking of trying a baked bean recipe with the slow cooker function and that got me questioning whether the 2 cup rule is required when using the slow cooker function.

    Thanks so much for your blog. Your photo was interesting; We did have some weird hairstyles back in the day…

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 24, 2019 at 5:18 pm

      Hi Connie,
      That yogurt sounds great! How awesome!
      As far as the slow cooker function you don’t need that much liquid since the pot isn’t coming to pressure.

      Reply
  9. Carol says

    January 20, 2019 at 1:11 pm

    What are the names of your books
    Got my IP last summer, your blog is the only one I follow. Most of your recipes use ingredients I have on hand. I have a binder with your recipes printed out and categorized.
    Keep up the good work.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 24, 2019 at 5:21 pm

      Hi Carol I have 3 slow cooker books
      365 Days of Slow Cooking
      Slow Cooking Fast
      The 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Cookbook

      Reply
  10. Donna Howard says

    January 20, 2019 at 6:54 am

    Loved this ‘getting to know you’!! I am sorry to say I am not an instant pot user. Just seems too complicated, and so I appreciate when your recipes give the slow cooker adaption.

    Thank you Karen for all you do!!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 24, 2019 at 5:23 pm

      Donna, I have a 91 year old man that is learning to use the Instant Pot. You can too! It isn’t very hard, I promise. You just need to follow recipes.

      Reply
  11. Mary says

    January 19, 2019 at 8:55 am

    I had those big glasses and hair in the eighties.

    I joined your site late last year. I bought my IP 2 years ago. Since then many friends have purchased them from my influence. I still am amazed when I hear someone say “I hardly use mine”. There are days in which I use mine 3 times for different dishes. One lady spoke about storage. When I got mine I did away with crockpot and rice cooker. You won’t need either with the IP. I just purchased a second IP for our second home. I was tired of carrying my back and forth. I enjoy your posts and the personal nibits are a good touch.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 24, 2019 at 5:10 pm

      Thanks Mary! I agree with you…definitely worth it and easy to find the space for it once you realize how awesome it is.

      Reply
  12. Carolyn Bryant says

    January 19, 2019 at 6:55 am

    I am new to the Instant Pot. I found your site and love it. You explain things very well and are easier to follow instructions. I am on WW’s and would love alot of recipes for that. Love you e-mails.

    Reply
  13. Stuart Cohan says

    January 18, 2019 at 8:54 pm

    So as ” an can you top this” category, My wife of 67 years has become too ill to do much cooking and since I’m a young 91 year old, I now cook using the instapot and your recipes at least 2’3 times a week. Even with my feeble skills the meals come out great!! Many thanks, Stuart

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 24, 2019 at 5:05 pm

      Thanks Stuart! This is so nice to hear. Keep up the good work 🙂

      Reply
  14. Sherl Murphy says

    January 18, 2019 at 8:22 pm

    Thx for the wonderful IP recipes that I’ve come across on your website (newbee). I’m a ‘newbee’ and don’t necessarily ‘know how to operate it yet.’ I’m always amazed how some models have different settings/categories. I always need to know which IP that you’re cooking in because the settings are so very different depending on the multiple models.

    I’m already a member,
    Nikki

    Reply
  15. Beth says

    January 18, 2019 at 7:42 pm

    I have been following you since you had the “brackets of soup” competition for March Madness (how long ago was that?!?) & was one of your recipe testers (the delicious beef, mushroom, barley, & lentil soup). I coincidentally just made it yesterday–still absolutely delicious!!! Wishing you continued success. Thank you for all the yumminess!!!!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 24, 2019 at 5:03 pm

      Beth!! I remember you! Haha thanks for helping with that 🙂

      Reply
  16. Judith Humphrys says

    January 18, 2019 at 6:48 pm

    Love your recepies ! I have The Crockpot Express multi 6qt at home and a 3qt Instantpot in our motorhome. Love them both and use them constantly.. I am Hungarian by birth and have converted lots of Hungarian recipes to the pressure cookers. I also have Psoriatic Arthritis and it is such a boon not to have to babysit the pots.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 18, 2019 at 6:55 pm

      Hi Judith, do you like the crockpot express? I haven’t tried that yet.

      Reply
    • Joe Bartzi says

      January 19, 2019 at 5:11 am

      I am also Hungarian and looking for Hungarian recipes.
      We have mom’s recipes and could use hints on how to convert them to the IP.

      Reply
  17. Mary Hopper says

    January 18, 2019 at 5:10 pm

    Where do I find your wonderful list of instant lot accessories?

    Thank you for all the help! 🎶

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 18, 2019 at 5:20 pm

      Hi Mary, you can find them here: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/must-have-instant-pot-accessories/

      Reply
      • Debra springer says

        January 18, 2019 at 6:40 pm

        My mother what had loved to had an instant pot with six kids and working outside of her home for myself it’s two of us now the more I think about it maybe it would be good to have an instant pot I’m still thinking about it where would I store it

        Reply
        • Karen says

          January 18, 2019 at 6:55 pm

          Hi Debra, I think you’ll really like the Instant Pot. I’ve seen people get really creative with storage solutions!

          Reply
        • Danette Lavelle says

          January 24, 2019 at 2:34 pm

          It’s just two of us now and we both love it!

          Reply
        • Danette Lavelle says

          January 24, 2019 at 2:36 pm

          It’s just the two of us now and I love it. Also, even though I try not to clutter up my counters, it lives there now.

          Reply
  18. Perry F. Townsend Sr. says

    January 18, 2019 at 5:10 pm

    I just made your Insta-Pot Creamy Chicken Bacon Spaghetti. My wife loved it. I substituted broccoli (3 cups Cooked) for the spinach. I am fairly new to Insta-pot cooking. (about 3 months). I have made several of your recipes and they all tasted great. Thank you for having your blog and sharing.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 18, 2019 at 5:21 pm

      The broccoli sounds great! I will have to try that next time. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  19. Carolyn says

    January 18, 2019 at 4:18 pm

    It’s so nice to know you better, Karen! I think I have you beat, though. My husband and I met Nov 21 and we were engaged 4 weeks later. Have been married 48 years, have 3 daughters, 10 grandchildren and a new granddaughter-in-law! I love your recipes and am so glad I found you.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 18, 2019 at 5:21 pm

      How awesome Carolyn! I love stories like this.

      Reply
  20. Paula Goldberg says

    January 18, 2019 at 4:03 pm

    So? Which one is you in the family picture? I think the one in the red shirt.
    New to the Instant Pot. Thanks for the recipes as they give me confidence using it.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 18, 2019 at 5:28 pm

      Hi Paula, I’m the one in the front row middle. I don’t look too excited to be there. The one in the red is my sister Nicole and she and I share the same birthday!

      Reply
  21. Doug Geddes says

    January 18, 2019 at 3:54 pm

    You need to share some of your hair with your husband. 🙂 It looks red, is it or is it the lighting? I assume it is, as the photo of your daughter shows that she has red hair also, as do I and one of my sons and my grand daughter. Ginger is great. If you notice, in most commercials that include children, the kids have red hair.

    Hugs from Canada.
    The home of the Instant Pot.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 18, 2019 at 5:23 pm

      Hi Doug, it may be the lighting. We have more of a brown/blonde/colored hair color lol!!

      Reply
  22. Susan Glace says

    January 18, 2019 at 3:43 pm

    I read the email every time I receive it. Love my crockpots; and recently got a IP mini as a gift. Made myself a promise to use every other day. Have used a few of your recipes. Thank you. Getting the knack of changing some of my family recipes to instant pot.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 18, 2019 at 5:25 pm

      Atta girl Susan!

      Reply
  23. Jackie says

    January 18, 2019 at 3:33 pm

    I LOVE your first cookbook and have probably bought at least 10 giving them to friends and family. My favoritest cookbook ever!!
    Thanks for all you do! Now I need to get brave and try my instapot.
    Jackie White

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 18, 2019 at 5:26 pm

      Jackie, you should try it this week. I bet you’ll really like it. Thanks so much for your support!

      Reply
  24. Susan says

    January 18, 2019 at 3:31 pm

    I love your emails. I bought my Instant Pot this summer and am also in love with it. Love your videos!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 18, 2019 at 5:29 pm

      Thanks Susan!!

      Reply

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Welcome!

Karen photo

Hi, I’m Karen. I know that dinner time can be less than relaxing. Busy schedules and cranky kids and a hundred other things can lead to weariness when it comes to putting dinner on the table. I can help! I make homemade, family-friendly slow cooker and Instant Pot dinners and share the recipes with you.

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