[Green-Moo]

I've just aquired my first pressure cooker and understand that they are energy efficient as they cook food allot quicker than in a conventional pan. i've never used one before though, so are there any experts out there who can offer me some tips?

[tater03]

I have never used one myself either. I had no idea that they were energy efficient. I would love to hear some tips. Maybe I will have to invest in one.

[RFL1986]

I've wanted to get one for a while because I heard they can be great just for cooking in general. Now that I know they're energy efficient it makes it even more of a reason to pick one up. How much do they usually go for?

[ammulu]

I only cook in pressure cooker as most of our asian dishes do need to be cooked well, it might take more time on a normal pan. Pressure cooker is fast and easy but at the same time can be dangerous too, my mom once didn't close it properly and she had the cooker blown and the whistle just missed the eye but had major cuts all over the eyebrows and forehead along with hot stuff from the cooker over her.

[atula]

Well...I have two pressure cookrs and can't imagine alife without them...they are very very handy and can cook a meal in a jiffy..you can use them to boil potaotoes...make rice or even cakes for that matter....just needs a little practice to know which food will take how much time to cook....

[Green-Moo]

I've cooked some rice and some potatoes in mine so far, and in both cases I misculculated and overcooked! It really was allot faster than cooking in an ordinary pan so I will perservere and learn how to do it properly. I'm thinking that it will be very useful for soups.

[stav]

Things like chick peas which take a long time to cook properly by conventional means are great in pressure cookers, as all dried pulses such as kidney beans are.... my mum has used hers for 40 odd years... she says when you are doing stuff like beans, lentils and rice, don't overfill the cooker as that will cause it to burst when they all expand... when making a stew type thing, put the veggies in later than the meat so they don't turn to mush.... too much liquid is always better than not enough... cos if it is left over.. you can reduce it in the uncovered cooker gently after cooking...

[atula]

Originally Posted by Green-Moo

I've cooked some rice and some potatoes in mine so far, and in both cases I misculculated and overcooked! It really was allot faster than cooking in an ordinary pan so I will perservere and learn how to do it properly. I'm thinking that it will be very useful for soups.

Green moo, I'll tell you a trick for cooking rice. When you add water just dip your finger in the cooker the tip touching the rice. Then add water to it till the water level touches the first line on your finger... I hope you understood what I mean....
This way the water level is always perfect and the risk of cooker burst is not there.
Now you will just require 8 minutes to cook the rice. Keep it on high for the first whistle and then sim. After 8 minutes of cooking you can turn off the gas. and let the steam come out...the rice will be ready...

Do try and tell me if this works for you....

[tater03]

Thanks for the tips. I have heard of pressure cookers blowing up like that. That would be just my luck. My husband mentioned he is going to pick one of these up for my birthday. He said that way I can practice using it when the boys are at school and he's at work.

[justontime]

I have never had a pressure cooker, my mum always said they were dangerous. My mother in law has one but she over cooks everything so it has put me off a bit.