Pressure cooker

yellowmonkey

Hi.

Apologies if this has already been done somewhere but i have recently got a pressure cooker and have 3 questions

1...How do i use it (Came with no instructions )

2...what can i cook in it?

3...Is it safe to use

Many thanks

ym

Polly_Wolly

I had one when long long time ago & used it a lot but not anymore, was handy though.
Try this http://fastcooking.ca/index.htm hope it helps!

newster

It really depends on what model you have. Can you find any instructions on the internet?? Some basic instructions I can give may help...

I think with all models you use a minimum of 1\2pt of liquid for 15min cooking time. This increases 1\4pt every extra 15 mins ontop of first 15mins.

AS an example potatoes cut into four will cook within 5-7 mins. So you would put 1\2 pt of boiling water into your cooker. place potatoes in and close lid. Bring to pressure, lower heat and cook for time needed. When finished, place cooker under a cold tap (unless your model is an automatic one that doesn't need to be "wetted", most models do though) and let the water run over the top of your cooker until the pressure has depleted. This is usually known by a button going down that is on the lid, or a weight or something or other depending on model. Remove the lid, and check the potaoes are cooked enough. If they need longer, replace lid, bring back to pressure and so on.....

YOu can cook stewing beef in the cooker. This usually takes about 25-30 mins. So when I do stewing steak in my cooker I use 3\4pt of liquid, then just do the same as cooking potatoes.

Mince meat takes between 12-15mins using 1\2pt of liquid.

Don't use for frozen veg unless you are cooking a fesh veg as well.

You can cook a certain item for so long, then de-pressurise and add another item, and bring back to pressure etc.

I hope this has helped a little. I have used a pressure cooker for most of my married life (30yrs this yr) and have never had any problems with them safety wise. I wouldn't be without mine :-)

Hope you enjoy yours, Do try to find some instructions on the net, or maybe a cheap book that can help you :-)

Penelope_Penguin

Take a look at VivW's Complete Kitchen Equipment Collection - scroll down to *P* and there are lots of entries for *pressure cooker*

HTH, Penny. x

jenster

Thanks for this thread

has any one else got any good recipes

for the pressure cooker ?

yellowmonkey

Hi.

Well thank you all for your help. Will look on the links supplied and hopefully produce something nice and edible.

I must admit i was a bit wary of using one as the memorys i have of them stretch back to the days of my gran when it used to be hissing away on the stove.

Once again thanks and keep them coming.


ym

dronid

They are great depending on what you're using it for. If you're familliar with Slow Cookers they do much the same thing but instead of doing things at 1/16th the speed (casseroles can be 8-12 hours) they do things at 8 times the speed (a good casserole can be done in 40 mins!) I use mine when I don't use the slow cooker to cook during the day or if I have unexpected guests for a beef stroganoff or goulash quickly.
http://missvickie.com/ Seems quite good. Have a look.