Pressure Cooker How to Use It

The cooking time depends on the recipe but just to give you an idea:

• The meat would normally cook in 30 minutes instead o 2 hours.
• The potatoes 5 minutes instead of 20 minutes.
• Other vegetables in 3 minutes instead of 10 or 15.

I make the pulled pork in 40 minutes instead of 6 hours and if you want to see the recipe you can find it here:

Pulled Pork in the Pressure Cooker

One of the best uses of a pressure cooker is to make homemade stock.

Instead of boiling chicken or beef bones for hours, you only need 35 minutes with a pressure cooker and the flavour will stay locked in the broth under pressure.

The same applies for Bolognese sauce, a complete dinner cooked in 35 minutes.

With the pressure cooker I, cook pulses (the edible seeds of pod-bearing plants) such as beans, chickpeas, and brown rice.

They come out chewy and creamy but still firm and full of flavour.

You could use the Pressure Cooker also to make a Risotto, but at your own peril!

I recommend WMF Perfect as I had it for 25 years, used it in 6 different countries and I never had a problem with it. It is easy to use and it is strong.

Why I love it more than other brands: You can buy different size pans to use with the same top. You can cook small portions of baby food or a large bone marrow for brown stock using the same top. 

I have heard a lot about Instant Pot but I really do not need an additional appliance in the kitchen.

My pressure cooker is stored in the cabinet with all the others pots and pan and does not occupy space on my kitchen counter.

Also included in the pressure cooker there is a basket if you want to steam your food.

Perfect for steaming any type of vegetables.

Potatoes are steamed in few minutes.

I also steam my Tuna Loaf and you can find the recipe here.

If you are concern about safety you can buy the Pro or Ultra type that has a more sophisticated and easy to use closing mechanism.

There are so many different types and designs, it is just a matter of budget.

You can buy the basic level for just € 100/150 (£120, $180) 

The pan comes with an instruction book and as long as you follow the basic rules, it is very safe.

• Never cook with less than ¼ of Litre of water and fill it at no more than 2/3 of its capacity.
• Make sure the valve is completely closed (it is not closed you will hear a ‘high pitched’ steam whistle)
• When you build up the pressure keep high temperature. Once the pressure is up, lower the temperature to cook for the required time. 

When I don't use the pressure cooker:

• I don't make risotto
• I don't use it for vegetables or seafood that requires short cooking time as it tends to overcook them
• While I use it to boil meat, I don't use it for stews. But maybe I should