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Pressure cooker recipes / questions

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  • maryb
    maryb Posts: 4,714 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I made my Christmas pudding in the pressure cooker yesterday and I put the squeezed out lemon left over from the recipe in with the water to stop the pan getting discoloured. There is always a nice thick layer of pure white fat on top of the water when it has cooled which smells and tastes of lemon. I save this and use it to make the pastry for mince pies - it adds a lovely flavour.

    Maybe you can be too frugal?
    It doesn't matter if you are a glass half full or half empty sort of person. Keep it topped up! Cheers!
  • Becles
    Becles Posts: 13,184 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I always hated pressure cookers! My ex-MIL uses one all the time for veg and stuff. However all the veg came out as tasteless mush and even though I love veg, I really had to force it down - yuk!!

    My b/f has been asking if we can get one and I'm willing to be converted, especially after reading the above. What went wrong with MIL's veg?
    Here I go again on my own....
  • Becles wrote:
    . However all the veg came out as tasteless mush and even though I love veg, I really had to force it down - yuk!!

    My b/f has been asking if we can get one and I'm willing to be converted, especially after reading the above. What went wrong with MIL's veg?
    Timing is crucial. Because you are cooking the veg for a much shorter time you need to be far more attentive to stopping it cooking.

    We had a glut of fallen apples this year and processing each days fallers in the pressure cooker saved ages but to get them just right was a case of up to the lowest pressure and cool fast immediately, remove lid and stir.

    If you are not watching it come to pressure and start your timer then you will be in danger of getting it wrong. The size of your veg also makes a big difference. Cutting a potato into smaller bits means you can mash them after 7minutes. If you just want to parboil them for roasting I quarter the potato and just bring it to pressure, drop pressure quickly (under cold tap) remove the hot water and grid, rumble the potatoes to roughen the edges then straight in the hot fat.

    Because they cook in a third of the time of cooking in boiling water every minute in the pressure cooker is like 3 minutes in a saucepan. Also the cooling down time (whether is slowly by just switching the heat off and letting pressure gradually reduce) or fast (by holding the pressure cooker under a running cold tap) can make a huge difference)

    I use chick peas (hummous) and kidney bean (Chilli con carne) a lot and for these if I soak dried bean overnight, rinse and pressure cook covered in water, for 10 minutes and let these cool SLOWLY. I find this far quicker than in a saucepan.

    I only use the pressure cooker for root veg. It would be far too easy to overcook greens.

    Both Aldi's and Lidl's have had nice stainless steel pressure cookers (spare parts same as standard uk) for about £20 but you will have to wait till they come round again.
    My weight loss following Doktor Dahlqvist' Dietary Program
    Start 23rd Jan 2008 14st 9lbs Current 10st 12lbs
  • ka7e
    ka7e Posts: 3,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic
    I have 2 pressure cookers that are used several times a week, and I can't imagine life without them. Together with a deep, lidded saute pan, they make saucepans virtually obsolete in my kitchen!
    Green veg can be overcooked if you're not spot on with the timing. I use my large pc to cook 3 or 4 types of veg at once. If carrots and root veg are thinly sliced or diced they will cook in the 2/3 mins needed to cook broccoli or kale. Or you can reduce the cooking time and have them slightly crunchy!
    Hams cook beautifully and stay moist. Cheaper cuts of meat can be used for stews and casseroles because they are tenderised by the process. Steamed puddings are absolutely yummy (but it can be fiddly to cover the basin). Reducing chicken carcasses or bones for stock is really easy and the basis for loads of tasty soup recipes that put shop-bought ones to shame.
    "Cheap", "Fast", "Right" -- pick two.
  • cuddlymarm
    cuddlymarm Posts: 2,205 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Hi, I'm a Newbie so maybe somebody has already suggested this but I have seen plenty of ideas for slow cooking but none for pressure cooking.
    I have had my pressure cooker for over 10 years so its definately paid for itself many times over by the time and fuel that it has saved.

    You can make cheap and healthy soups and stews and cook more than one veg at a time, even make puddings.

    Definately Old Style

    Does anyone else pressure cook?

    June NSD 8/15
  • Jazzy_B
    Jazzy_B Posts: 1,810 Forumite
    Yes, I do but only for soups and beef stews these days. I used to use it for all sorts, but have just got out of the habit. I must say that I wouldn't make soup any other way.
  • susank
    susank Posts: 809 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    I have one too - been married 34 years and on my 3rd one now - stainless steel so it can go in dishwasher!!! I use it mainly for stock and soup too and sometimes the pan for jam/chutney and sometimes mince but I really dont like stews done in it - have done them in the past but I tend to do a cook in one afternoon and use the oven for lots of casseroles for the freezer - used the pressure cooker for chicken stock this afternoon and the stock is now in freezer for winter soup.
    Sometimes I have made steamed pudding and also I make the xmas pud in it but just steam it without the weight on. Its great
    Saving in my terramundi pot £2, £1 and 50p just for me! :j
  • cuddlymarm
    cuddlymarm Posts: 2,205 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    I tend only to do veg and soups in it these days

    I think I'm going to have to find a good cookery book to get more ideas

    if anyones got any ideas do they want to share?

    June NSD 8/15
  • tootles_2
    tootles_2 Posts: 1,143 Forumite
    I have had 2 pressure cookers, use them for all sorts, soup, stews, casseroles, marmalade and jam, boiling bacon, steamed puddings, stock....would not be without it..............



    Living in the sunny? Midlands, where the pork pies come from:

    saving for a trip to Florida and NYC Spring 2008

    Total so far £14.00!!
  • jo101_2
    jo101_2 Posts: 153 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    HI

    I bought one last week and have cooked veg. Also tried rice pudding, but this went very wrong. Im about to go on that miss vickie website to get more inspiration. Also cooked dried beans in it today and found this very easy and quick.

    Would love some more ideas.

    Jo
    Starting with a clean slate.


    August grocery challenge - £250
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