Gravy's Cooking Thread

Searing in the instant pot never worked well for me. Always stuck and burned. Or with the high sides would get soupy. Could brown meats, but not really sear. Made me wonder if people didn't know the difference.

Thought it was just the one we had being defective as we'd follow recipes and tons of stuff would stick, but got a replacement unit that did the same thing.

Girlfriend's sister loves it, but all her ribs and pulled pork in it has that weird dry meat in sauce syndrome. I'm picky I guess and find most slower cooker recipes similarly lacking.

So many of the recipes were just more complicated dutch oven recipes that would take longer with all the natural release to add next ingredients. It's just a pointless tool when trying to use it like it can actually do it all and more conveniently.

Instant pot is good for hard boiled eggs, though, but not as good as sous vide, just more convenient. It's okay to just say instant pot is more convenient without pretending it's really superior at anything I've seen it try to do.

It's the quintessential modern housewife appliance for a reason, and that's not a compliment.

Maybe I'm just jaded from my girlfriend's sister making bad stuff and all the absurd recipes I see for making everything in an instant pot no matter how much more complicated it makes the recipe or is weird shit like bread or lasagna that just no, don't do that.

popsicledeath said:

I'm picky I guess and find most slower cooker recipes similarly lacking.

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bob newhart has just the answer!

Rajaah said:

Any opinions on Omaha Steaks?

I did two or three orders from them over the last couple of years. Full orders, the $200 ones where you get enough stuff to fill half a freezer (more if you leave things in their boxes).

I found their steaks to be really good, particularly the filet mignon and the butcher's cut round. The other things (hot dogs, hamburgers, pork chops) were all kind of take it or leave it. The hot dogs were above average.

Overall I'd say they're worth it if you just want to get your freezer stocked up with meat without thinking about it too much. The prices are probably a bit too high though compared to what you'd get in a store.

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A local butcher will usually have bundles at a better price with higher quality meat and won't have the hundreds of negative reviews Omaha Steaks does.

Alternately you can do what I'm planning on in the future, which is to just buy a quarter/side and process it at home.

This is from a meat shop not too far from me that I've purchased from before. Had a few minor autistic nitpicks but no real complaints. This is what 'freezer filler' bundles should roughly look like (depending on region). The bottom 3 bundles aren't actual sides and quarters, just side/quarter theme to the bundles.

Lanx said:

omaha steaks use their own in house grading system

literally don't know wtf youre getting


chicago steak (idk who they are i just googled online steak)
tells you, you get at least choice

i think choice is great, but since omaha steaks don't say what you get obfuscate grades, they probably lump in a lot of select grade in those value bundles

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it's not like USDA gradings mean much more.

Anyone got a favorite brand of mandoline slicer? Every one I check on Amazon has the exact same negative reviews about unsafe blade this and hard to handle hand protector that and missing fingers etc.

Gavinmad said:

Anyone got a favorite brand of mandoline slicer? Every one I check on Amazon has the exact same negative reviews about unsafe blade this and hard to handle hand protector that and missing fingers etc.

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Slicers are getting cheap enough to look into getting one for home use

Gavinmad said:

Anyone got a favorite brand of mandoline slicer? Every one I check on Amazon has the exact same negative reviews about unsafe blade this and hard to handle hand protector that and missing fingers etc.

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I have a cheap Sharper Image (by chance was just what they had at a loose stock home store). It works adequate. Paddle handle thing works better than anticipated. Great for the few times a yearI do potatoes thin sliced, but anything small or stickier like cheese isn't worth it. The overall design is decent and have had no issues except girlfriend can't use it well because she's not comfortable pushing the thing fast enough for complete cuts.

Rajaah said:

Any opinions on Omaha Steaks?

I did two or three orders from them over the last couple of years. Full orders, the $200 ones where you get enough stuff to fill half a freezer (more if you leave things in their boxes).

I found their steaks to be really good, particularly the filet mignon and the butcher's cut round. The other things (hot dogs, hamburgers, pork chops) were all kind of take it or leave it. The hot dogs were above average.

Overall I'd say they're worth it if you just want to get your freezer stocked up with meat without thinking about it too much. The prices are probably a bit too high though compared to what you'd get in a store.

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We got some a few times as gifts years ago. Similar feelings as you and not as critical as some others here. The steaks were good, and our order was all steaks. Wouldn't feel all the filler of pies and chicken to be worth it.

Their meat is aged vs non for most meat one would buy directly, which I think accounts for my being less critical. It was good, just not in my preferred price point.

I find they're in a middle ground where they're not so expensive they're out of reach cost-wise, but not so good I'm willing to pay. Lots of better options I imagine I wouldn't be able to afford. So I personally do fine with scouting for deals and doing cutting, packaging and freezing myself.

Their customer service was great, though. We got a shipment with no dry ice. They sent out a replacement immediately and without hassle.

Bonus is their shipping chest are great. Saved one and gave others to family that are all still used.

Dr.Retarded said:

I mainly use one for doing potatoes, and when I get down to the last bit of a Yukon Gold, I simply stop.

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This. #1 tip for not cutting your hands to shit on a mandolin