Pressure cookers have come a long way since those hissing, spluttering and sometimes exploding machines our grandmothers may have used.
Today’s pressure cookers are safe and easy to use. Because they work best with cheaper cuts of meat that cook in a third of the time of stovetop cooking, they are cost efficient and time saving.
HOW THEY WORK
A pressure cooker looks like a large pot except its lid locks on to the top, forming a tight seal. The cooking liquid inside the pot boils and creates steam.
As the steam is trapped inside, the pressure increases, which in turn increases the boiling point of the liquid to about 120°C. Because of this increased temperature, the food cooks much more quickly.
TIPS FOR USING A PRESSURE COOKER
* Do not fill the pot more than two-thirds full as you need to leave room for the steam to build up as well as for the food to expand.
* Use enough liquid to be able to create the steam inside the pot.
* Because evaporation does not take place when cooking casseroles, you will use less liquid than most recipes state.
* Always brown meat and chicken in the pot before introducing the pressure.
* Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
* Make sure all the pressure has been released before opening the lid.
* If you need to rapidly cool the pressure cooker in order to stop the cooking process, place the pot under a tap and run cold water over it until the pressure is released.
* Most pressure cookers have a little valve which pops up when the steam is built up and goes flat when the pressure inside has been released. Do not open the lid until this valve is flat.
* When cooking rice, pulses and grains in a pressure cooker, always add a spoonful of oil to the liquid. This will prevent the mixture from foaming during the cooking time.
BEEF AND RED WINE STEW
Serves 4
50ml seasoned flour
750g soft shin, cubed
50ml olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
10ml chopped garlic
3 celery sticks, chopped
2 carrots, diced
1 sprig of rosemary
250ml red wine
250ml beef stock
15ml tomato paste
salt and pepper
125g baby potatoes, halved
Put the seasoned flour and meat into a plastic bag and shake well to coat the meat.
Heat the oil in the pressure cooker pot and, over a medium high heat, brown the meat in batches. Remove and set aside.
Add the onion, garlic, celery and carrot to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes. Return the meat to the pot.
Add the rosemary, wine, stock, tomato paste, seasoning and potatoes.
Secure the pressure cooker lid in place and heat on high until a good amount of steam escapes from the valve.
Reduce the heat and cook for 40 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside until the pressure cooker is cool enough to open.
If the sauce is very runny, then simmer the mixture uncovered until it reduces and thickens or stir in 15ml cornflour that has been mixed with a little water.
CHICKEN WITH CIDER AND APPLES
Serves 4
30ml olive oil
8 chicken thighs
1 red onion, chopped
10ml chopped garlic
330ml cider or apple juice
1 red pepper, cut into 2cm pieces
2 green apples, peeled and cut into wedges
3-4 parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks
salt and pepper
45ml chopped parsley
Heat the oil in the pressure cooker pot and brown the chicken over high heat. Remove and set aside.
Add the onion and garlic and fry for 2-3 minutes. Return the chicken to the pot and add the cider.
Secure the lid in place and bring the pressure up to steam. Cook for 10 minutes.
Remove and rapid cool the pressure cooker.
Remove the lid and add the peppers, apples, parsnips and seasoning. Secure the lid in place and bring it up to pressure again. Cook for 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and cool the pressure cooker. Stir in the parsley before serving.
PEA AND HAM SOUP
Serves 8
30ml olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3-4 celery sticks, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
5ml garlic
750g ham hock
2 bay leaves
500ml chicken stock
1 litre of water
300g split peas, rinsed and drained
375ml frozen peas
50ml chopped mint
salt and pepper
Heat the oil in the pressure cooker pot and over a medium heat fry the onion, celery, carrots and garlic for 5 minutes.
Add the hock, bay leaves, stock and water. Secure the lid in place and bring the pot up to pressure. Cook for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and rapid cool the pot.
Remove the lid and add the split peas. Return to the stove and secure the lid in place. Bring it up to pressure and cook for another 20 minutes. Remove and rapid cool the pot.
Open the pot and remove the bay leaves and the hock. Add the peas, mint and seasoning to the pot and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and purée the mixture using a hand blender. Remove the fat and bones from the hock and shred the meat. Return the meat to the soup and heat through before serving.
MUSHROOM AND CHORIZO RISOTTO
Serves 6
30g butter
2 shallots, finely chopped
125g baby mushrooms, wiped
330ml risotto rice
60ml white wine
750ml chicken stock
5ml thyme leaves
10ml grated lemon rind
salt and pepper
12ml grated Parmesan cheese
1 chorizo sausage, sliced and fried
Heat the butter and fry the shallots until soft. Add the mushrooms and fry for a few minutes. Stir in the rice and cook until coated with the butter.
Add the wine and cook until evaporated. Add the stock, thyme, lemon and seasoning.
Secure the lid and bring it up to pressure. Cook for 8 minutes.
Remove from the heat and rapid cool the pot.
Remove the lid and stir in the Parmesan and chorizo. Serve immediately.
CREME CARAMEL
Serves 6
80ml castor sugar
500ml full cream milk
rind of 1 orange, removed with in strips with a potato peeler
60ml castor sugar
4 eggs
Put the castor sugar into a small saucepan and heat over a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture turns caramel brown.
Pour the caramel into a 1-litre ovenproof bowl and swirl to coat the base and sides of the bowl with the caramel.
Combine the milk, orange rind and sugar in a saucepan and heat to just below boiling point. Remove from the heat and set aside for 20 minutes to infuse. Discard the orange rind.
Beat the eggs and add the milk.
Pour the mixture into a 1-litre pudding basin. Cover the top securely with foil wrapped twice
Place the bowl on an upturned saucer in the pressure cooker. Add about 5cm of water. The water should not touch the bowl.
Secure the pressure cooker lid and bring it up to pressure. Reduce heat and cook for 17 minutes. Remove pot from the heat and allow to cool completely. Open the cooker and remove the basin. Stand at room temperature until completely cooled.
Remove the foil and turn out dessert on to serving plate. - The Star