Scalloped Potatoes with Slotted Spoon

Serves 4 in about 41 minutes. Smoked ham goes in first, and tsp nutmeg finishes the pot.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs potatoes, sliced 1/4" thick
• 5 oz smoked cooked ham (thin sliced and cubed)
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)
• 1 cup broth (low sodium chicken or vegetable)
• 2 ½ cups monterey jack cheese*, shredded, divided
• ¼ cup heavy cream (or half and half)
• ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
• 6 qt or 8 qt electric pressure cooker
• Large slotted spoon
• 8"x8" baking dish

Method

1. Peel the potatoes and slice them 1/4" thick (no thinner as they will be too soft. No thicker or they may not cook completely). Stir in them to the pressure cooker pot.
2. Stack a few slices of the ham on top of each other and cut them into strips, then into squares. Stir in to the pot.
3. Scatter in the salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and thyme leaves, if using.
4. Tip in the cup of broth.
5. Put the lid on the pot and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position. Then press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 1 instant (yes, one). The pot will take several minutes to come to pressure.
6. When the cooking cycle has ended do a Quick Release of the pressure by turning the steam release knob to the Venting position. When the pin in the lid drops down, open the lid.
7. With a large slotted spoon, carefully remove the potatoes to the 8"x8" baking dish, leaving behind the broth/liquid in the pot.
8. Adjust your oven rack to be about 6" to 8" from broiler element. Then turn on your oven's broiler to 400° to heat up.
9. Turn on the Sauté setting (Low heat) of the pressure cooker.
10. Stir in 1/2 cups of the cheese*, the heavy cream, and the nutmeg to the liquid left in the pot. Mix until melted and creamy, then turn off the pot.
11. Spoon or Pour the mixture evenly over the potatoes/ham.
12. Scatter the remaining cup of cheese over the potatoes and set the baking dish under the broiler for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is browned to your liking. Keep an eye on it as it can burn rather quickly!

More instant pot ideas are in the instant pot collection.