Reviewed by annieb123 on
The Family-Friendly Keto Instant Pot Cookbook is a new low-carb cookbook by Anna Hunley. Due out 3rd Sept 2019 from Quarto on their Fair Winds Press imprint, it's 200 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
Low/No carb diets have become incredibly popular in the last decade. It's a challenge for families to put food on the table which is good for them and not full of overprocessed, over-sweetened, bad-for-you ingredients. Additionally, the food we make for our families has to be nourishing and appropriate for everyone if one person has special nutritional needs (such as diabetes or pre-diabetes).
The book has 100 recipes for low-carb meals which the author states are tested on her family and approved. I love the chatty conversational writing style of the author and she provides a lot of info and background for her own weight loss journey and lifestyle changes.
The introductory chapter is comprehensive and covers keto definitions, some very basic layman accessible biochemistry and theory behind ketosis, along with menu plans and other basic info. All the info is provided in easy to understand language and paced well enough that it's not overwhelming. This chapter also includes some basic ingredients such as Fat Head Dough, Homemade Egg Noodles, and Cauliflower Rice.
There is so much information packed into this volume that it's a bit difficult to review! There are shopping lists, considerations for feeding a family including your kids who have special nutritional requirements, and how to shop for keto-friendly ingredients on a budget.
The second main section of the book contains the Instant Pot specific info. Whilst all of the recipes include cooking instructions utilizing the Instant Pot (and trust me, I'm a believer, I love my instant pot) most all of them can be converted to other methods of cooking. I wouldn't trade my instant pot though, it's a wonderful beast.
The third section contains the recipes, grouped by category. There are recipes for breakfast, appetizers, soups, covered dishes, meats (beef, poultry, pork, seafood), side dishes, and desserts. The book is lavishly and appealingly illustrated with large clear recipe and serving photographs. Each of the recipes includes yields, prep and cooking time, ingredients (including metric measurements, yay!), a short description, and step by step instructions. The recipes also include macronutrients listings as well as 'complete the meal' links to other recipes in the book.
There's a comprehensive index at the end with cross-linked recipes, resource links, and an afterword by the author. The author's writing style is homey and friendly and for readers who like some culture with their cookbooks, this one has a very southern feel. There's a lot of comfort and hospitality along with the recipes.
Five stars for lovers of homestyle southern cooking. The recipes are not fancy company type recipes, they're family recipes.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- Finished reading
- 17 August, 2019: Reviewed