Pressure Cooking – an Old New Way of Cooking
My Italian mother-in-law bought me a Pressure Cooker earlier this year. She uses hers all the time as her speciality is soups. However I have found it one of the most used utensils in my kitchen – not just for soups, but for casseroles, roasts and sauces. Yes, I use my pressure cooker at least once, if not twice every single week. I have found my pressure cooker so wonderful, I want to share with you my experience.
What is a Pressure Cooker?
Pressure cooking is cooking in a sealed pot (pot with lid) that does not allow air or liquid to escape, causing the liquid in the pot to rise to an extremely high temperature accelerating the cooking of the food while retaining all the nutrients. Miss Vicky (from www.missvicky.com ) says the reason that food cooks so much more quicker in a pressure cooker is because “steam has six times the heat potential when it condenses on a cool food product”.
How does it work?
Food is placed in the specially designed pressure cooker pot with lid (with special valve and pressure indicator button) with some amount of liquid (depending on the recipe) and put on the stove. When the liquid reaches boiling point, steam is produced (pushing the pressure indicator button to stick up on the lid), and the high level of pressure of this steam cooks the food. This method of cooking copies the simmering method, but is much much faster with equivalent results.
Now, on completion of the cooking, there is a challenge. You can’t simply open the lid. If you do, it can be very very dangerous and the pressure can cause – like an explosion. You need to ‘release’ the steam / pressure using the special valve on the lid and once all the steam / pressure is released (causing the pressure indicator button to go back down into the lid – thus not stick up anymore) then the lid can be safely opened. The first time I used my pressure cooker, I didn’t allow all the steam to be released and all my sauce ‘exploded’ all over the roof and over my oven and wall (not good). I was very lucky not to burn myself. So it’s very important to follow the instructions that come with your pressure cooker and make sure that all the steam has been released (and the pressure indicator button is all the way down) - so basically you can’t open the lid until that has gone all the way down and sits flush with your lid).
What can you cook?
Of course you can cook soup, but I also cook my roasts (just add cheap beef, can of tomatoes, 1 cup of red wine, onions (and other vegetables as desired) and when liquid is boiling (button on lid is all the way up and the cooker is making a rattling noise, reduce heat and cook for 45 minutes, then turn off stove, release button on top of lid, wait until button goes back down and there you have – super tender beef with a nice thick sauce). You can also do casseroles as well with only 1/3 to ½ the cooking time of simmering. Its fantastic because its a great way of cooking really really cheap cuts of meat - making them tasty and super tender in a short amount of time.
For more recipes, refer to: http://www.underpressure.com.au/web-content/Pages/Recipes/Home_Page_Recipes.html
References
www.missvicky.com
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_cooker
www.underpressure.com.au/
http://pressurecooker.com.au/
About the Author
Susan Fiori is a writer, performer and business professional living in Australia with her husband and three children. Her work experience portfolio ranges from performing arts, training and human resource management to technical infrastructure management, process reengineering and information technology development and has undergraduate and masters degree qualifications in Engineering, Business, Project and Human Resource Management.degree qualifications in Engineering and Business.
Is there any way to speed up the cooking of dried beans ? I always soak them overnight.?
I boil them rapidly for ten minutes, then cover with a lid until cooked, it always seems to take an eternity, is there anyway of speeding up the process. I don't have a pressure cooker.
I cover dried beans with boiling water and leave for half an hour or more while doing something else.
Someone told me that once cooked, beans can be frozen, in portions, to save the trouble of soaking and long cooking every meal.
If you invest in a slow cooker, the advice is to boil the beans for 10 minutes before adding to the slow cooker.
 |
 10 Cast Iron train muffin pan $66.99 Time Remaining: 30m Buy It Now for only: $66.99 |
 20 Cast iron train muffin pan $110.99 Time Remaining: 30m Buy It Now for only: $110.99 |
 50 Cast iron train muffin pan $218.99 Time Remaining: 30m Buy It Now for only: $218.99 |
 LE CREUSET ENAMEL OVER CAST IRON ROUND 9 QT OVEN NEW $319.95 Time Remaining: 31m Buy It Now for only: $319.95 |
 24 Metal graduation themed Cookie Cutters $47.50 Time Remaining: 35m Buy It Now for only: $47.50 |
 48 Metal graduation themed cookie cutters $69.99 Time Remaining: 36m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
 72 Metal graduation themed cookie cutters $93.99 Time Remaining: 36m Buy It Now for only: $93.99 |
 96 Metal graduation themed cookie cutters $106.99 Time Remaining: 36m Buy It Now for only: $106.99 |
 OILED WOODEN PIZZA CUTTING BOARD 30 x 41cm PERFECT QUALITY $14.13 Time Remaining: 43m Buy It Now for only: $14.13 |
 NEW 8QT PASTA COOKER STEAMER STOCKPOT 4PC SET 512 $34.99 Time Remaining: 50m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 Professionnelle Stainless Steel 4 Quart Multi Purpose Pot $84.99 Time Remaining: 1h 5m Buy It Now for only: $84.99 |
 Austral Aluminum Non Stick Medium Plum Frypan 28cm $22.99 Time Remaining: 1h 5m Buy It Now for only: $22.99 |
 Professionnelle Stainless Steel 6 Quart Soup Pot $115.99 Time Remaining: 1h 6m Buy It Now for only: $115.99 |
 Austral Aluminum Non stick Medium Plum Frypan 26cm $19.99 Time Remaining: 1h 6m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Professionnelle Stainless Steel 9 Quart Soup Pot $153.00 Time Remaining: 1h 6m Buy It Now for only: $153.00 |
 Austral Aluminum Non stick Large Plum Frypan 30cm $24.99 Time Remaining: 1h 6m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Professionnelle Stainless Steel 14 Quart Stock Pot with Lid $181.00 Time Remaining: 1h 6m Buy It Now for only: $181.00 |
 Austral Aluminum Non stick Small Plum Frypan 24cm $17.99 Time Remaining: 1h 6m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
 Prepology 3 piece Wine in Faux Croco Case Blue $18.00 Time Remaining: 1h 7m Buy It Now for only: $22.00 |
 Jacob Bromwell Homemakers Favorite Morgans Grater $26.95 Time Remaining: 1h 8m Buy It Now for only: $26.95 |
 Microwave Bacon Crisper Cooking Plate Multi Purpose cooking tray Band New $1.10 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1h 12m |
 Tools of the Trade Basics Casserole 8 Qt Stainless Steel $39.99 Time Remaining: 1h 23m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 Jacob Bromwell Genuine Pyramid Toaster C700T $29.95 Time Remaining: 1h 33m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
 FISSLER CASSEROLE DISHES PANS from 15L to 68L $94.28 Time Remaining: 1h 52m Buy It Now for only: $94.28 |
 18 10 STAINLESS 1QT Double Boiler W DUO LAYER 507 $24.99 Time Remaining: 1h 54m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Microwave Omelette Maker by Micro Quisine BNIB Easy to use Easy to clean $4.64 Time Remaining: 1h 58m |
 Plastic Cookie Cutter Play Dough Set NEW $7.73 Time Remaining: 2h 13m Buy It Now for only: $7.73 |
 4 cell BLACK STRAWBERRY FLAN PAN TART Silicone Bakeware Mould Cake Baking Pan $8.27 Time Remaining: 2h 14m Buy It Now for only: $8.27 |
 Mexican Traditions Fajita Cast Iron Sizzler Pan and Wood Trivet NIP $14.99 Time Remaining: 2h 14m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 Microwave Bacon Crisper Cooking Plate Multi Purpose cooking tray Band New $1.10 Time Remaining: 2h 19m |
 NEW8QT+12QT 2PC STAINLESS STOCKPOT STOCK Pot Set 524 $39.99 Time Remaining: 2h 20m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 REUSEABLE COOKASHEETS KEEP BAKING OVEN TRAY CLEAN $2.34 Time Remaining: 2h 26m Buy It Now for only: $2.34 |
 SET 3 ALUMINUM Heavy Duty FRY PANS $44.99 Time Remaining: 2h 27m Buy It Now for only: $44.99 |
 NEW 18 10 STAINLESS PASTA COOKER 8QT STOCKPOT 528 $39.99 Time Remaining: 2h 36m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 Bayou Classic Pre Seasoned Cast Iron 25 Qt Pot With Domed Lid 2 Pour Spouts $23.88 Time Remaining: 2h 39m Buy It Now for only: $23.88 |
 Fabulous Scanpan Fish Frying Pan in very good condition Sunshine Coast $48.55 Time Remaining: 2h 46m |
 NEW Pressure Cooker Body Handle Ea Canner Parts Access 85453 $13.48 Time Remaining: 2h 49m Buy It Now for only: $13.48 |
 RSVP UNIV G Universal Lid w Glass Insert Heavy Gauge Stainless Steel NEW $34.99 Time Remaining: 2h 50m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 NEW 7PC PROFESSIONAL Tri Ply Stainless Cookware 506 $109.99 Time Remaining: 2h 56m Buy It Now for only: $109.99 |
 12 cell HOT PINK HEAVY DUTY Std Muffin Pan Cupcake Silicone Bakeware Mould Tin $12.18 Time Remaining: 2h 57m Buy It Now for only: $12.18 |
 Clear Plastic Salad Bowl by Alpac Creations France $23.56 Time Remaining: 3h Buy It Now for only: $23.56 |
 NEW Rachael Ray 10 Piece Porcelain Enamel Cookware Set Nonstick Pots Pans $89.99 Time Remaining: 3h 2m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Bayou Classic 10 Qt Cast Iron Jambalaya Stock Pot Soup With Domed Lid Quart $94.88 Time Remaining: 3h 3m Buy It Now for only: $94.88 |
 Bayou Classic Pre Seasoned Cast Iron 6 Qt Oval Fryer Pot With Griddle Lid Quart $54.82 Time Remaining: 3h 19m Buy It Now for only: $54.82 |
 5 X LE CREUSET STAR RAMEKINS GOLD COLOUR 9 X 5 CMS $15.70 Time Remaining: 3h 19m |
 ALUMINUM 11 PC HEAVY GAUGE COOKWARE $65.99 Time Remaining: 3h 20m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 Bayou Classic Pre Seasoned Cast Iron Wok With Helper Handle New $29.90 Time Remaining: 3h 22m Buy It Now for only: $29.90 |
 Nordic Ware 12 Universal Pan Lid Ventilated Knob Prevent Steel Frying Soft NEW $30.09 Time Remaining: 3h 28m Buy It Now for only: $30.09 |
 69 Piece Kitchen Dorm Starter Set Stainless fantastic gift NIB $89.97 Time Remaining: 3h 34m Buy It Now for only: $120.00 |
 ORIGINAL WAGNERWARE MAGNALITE 4248P 5QT Dutch Oven WITH LID $30.00 Time Remaining: 3h 36m |
 Cuisinart Chef Classic Steel 12 Everyday Pan Dome Cover Kitchen Cookware NEW $55.95 Time Remaining: 3h 46m Buy It Now for only: $55.95 |
 NEW Rachael Ray 10 Piece Hard Anodized Cookware Set NEW $194.99 Time Remaining: 3h 47m Buy It Now for only: $194.99 |
 Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Nonstick 14 Piece Cookware Set NEW $299.99 Time Remaining: 3h 47m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 |
 Rachael Ray Stainless Steel Rachael Ray 10 Piece Hard Anodized Cookware Set NEW $179.99 Time Remaining: 3h 47m Buy It Now for only: $179.99 |
 JAPAN frying pan an omelet Tamagoyaki CNE117 NEW Cooking $159.97 Time Remaining: 3h 48m Buy It Now for only: $159.97 |
 Cuisinart 10 inch Round Griddle Crepe Pan GG23 24 $28.95 Time Remaining: 3h 48m Buy It Now for only: $28.95 |
 Mini Non stick Frying Pan Love Heart Egg Pancake Pot Kitchen Camping Picnic BBQ $7.12 Time Remaining: 3h 52m Buy It Now for only: $7.12 |
 Stainless Steel Stock Pot Set $63.50 Time Remaining: 3h 52m Buy It Now for only: $63.50 |
 Oval Casserole Mini White Ceramic with Lid Evans Taylor BNIB RRP 995 $7.73 Time Remaining: 3h 53m Buy It Now for only: $7.73 |
 CALPHALON 145 Contemporary Nonstick 14DIAMETER STAINLESS WOK W Glass Lid $39.99 Time Remaining: 3h 53m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 |
EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale, Silver List Price: Sale Price: $25.00 You save: $9.95 (28%)  |
 |
Presto 04820 PopLite hot air popper List Price: Sale Price: $18.79 You save: $11.20 (37%) |
 |
Cuisinart CSB-76BC SmartStick 200-Watt Immersion Hand Blender, Brushed Chrome List Price: Sale Price: $29.95 You save: $35.05 (54%) |
 |
Lodge Logic L10SK3 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet List Price: Sale Price: $20.95 You save: $6.55 (24%) |
 |
Wilton 570-1121 Easy Flex 3-Piece Silicone Spatula Set, Blue List Price: Sale Price: $5.91 You save: $4.08 (41%) |
 |
Nesco FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator List Price: Sale Price: $55.99 You save: $24.00 (30%) |
 |
Hamilton Beach 33967 Set 'n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker List Price: Sale Price: $36.00 You save: $23.99 (40%) |
 |
Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat, 11 5/8 x 16 1/2-inches, Half Sheet Size List Price: Sale Price: $15.95 You save: $11.04 (41%) |
 |
Progressive GT-3520 International 19-Piece Measuring Cup and Spoon Set List Price: Sale Price: $6.99 You save: $2.96 (30%) |
 |
Totally Bamboo 20-7930 3-Piece Cutting Board Set Sale Price: $14.95 |
Lid Cooking
Thank You. We hope you found the
Lid Cooking
you were looking for.