Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Pressure Cooking at it's Finest

So I've been asked to do a cooking class for my Relief Society on Pressure cooking. I guess since I make a to die for Tortellini Soup and I've mentioned how awesome it is to everyone I know, just so I get a little praise on something I do well I get to now, do a class.

When they first asked I only really every made 3 things in my pressure cooker.
Chicken Bacon Tortellini, Hawaiian Delight, and Porcupine Meatballs. They are all SO good everyone wanted a class. I for sure can't do a 30 minute class on 3 things. So I've been trying out some things. I checked a couple books from the Library. One called Pressure Cookers for Dummies and Pressure Cooking for Everyone. Anyway I flipped through these and found the section on beans and decided I would try that out. Beans can be pre-soaked in a pressure cooker for only 2 minutes under pressure then rinsed and then cooked at pressure again. So I decided to try black beans.

Quick Soak
1 lb black beans then cover with water plus 2 inches above and then pressure for 2 minutes then rinse and you are ready to start the actual cooking.

I did a basic Bean recipe to cook them.
1 cup beans
3 cups water or chicken stock
1 tbsp olive oil
salt to taste

Since I did a whole pound I added 6 cups water for the 2 cups of beans.

Place all in 5-7 quart cooker then pressure for 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and quick release method meaning running cold water over it for a few seconds until pressure has been released. Then Open lid and check beans for doneness. In necessary return to pot to medium low year and bring to a simmer and cook as needed. If possible cool beans in cooking liquid. Drain beans saving the liquid to use in soups if desired.

Mine I pressured for 10 minutes and I think it could have cooked a little longer but with what I made with them it was fine. I then used them to make Churro beans a recipe I got from another RS meeting from Mary Anne Morriberon.

1 lb black beans cooked according to pkg. directions - do not drain
1 med onion diced
1 pkg bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 large tomato
1-2 jalapenos, minced
1 large Garlic clove minced
1 cube chicken bouillon
1/2 bunch cilantro finely chopped
1/4 tsp cumin
up to 1/2 tsp of salt to taste

Saute Onion, Garlic, and Jalapeno in a pan until soft. Add to beans. Add remaining ingredients to beans. Serve warm over rice. Grate Cheese over top.

Can also be served as a warm dip, with tortilla chips. Garnish with Sour Cream, Salsa and cheese.

This turned out way yummy and Kathryn LOVES it. it didn't turn out the same as Mary Anne's but it still worked out great.

Next I wanted to try some Quinoa. I friend on Facebook mentioned that she was excited to actually use her quinoa for dinner with a recipe she found on Allrecipes.com. I thought I'd adapt that recipe to a pressure cooker recipe and it turned out great well in my taste anyway. The girls didn't think it was that great. Anyway here's what I did.

Just a basic quinoa recipe for Pressure cooker

1 1/2 cups quinoa rinsed and drained
3 cups water
1 tbsp of oil

Combine all in pressure cooker
Cover and bring to high pressure lower the heat to stabilize the pressure cooker. Cook for 7 minutes.
Remove and less pressure drop using the quick release method.
Unlock and remove cover quinoa should be slightly chewy. If hard return to cooker and pressure another 2-3 minutes
Drain any excess liquid

it was ready to use when I was done at 8 minutes. I then added a cup of the Churro beans to it and added a bit more seasonings. That below is what I got. Yummy healthy meal to add to my pressure cooker meals.



If anyone as their favorite pressure cooker meal or thing you make all the time let me know. I want to try some new things. My next thing will be sticky rice and chickpeas to make hummus. Then to big things like roast. Oh and hard boiled eggs. done in 3 minutes then let it release naturally. That will be way easier for Easter eggs then boiling for 10 minutes...

Oh and below is the pressure cooker I would recommend. It's $88 on amazon right now. This is definitely on my wish list. Anyways enjoy


3 comments:

Torey said...

Love that quinoa recipe! ;-)

Amber said...

I love my pressure cooker, too! That's great that you are trying new things. I have some recipes, as well- I'll have to email them to you or call or something. Next time you are in AZ, you should see about going to a class at Shar's- she ALWAYS uses the pressure cooker, and she hands out every recipe she uses. I have a whole 3-ring binder full of them. Your girls are beautiful! I bet they get as many comments on their cheeks as Brady does!

Drew said...

I've never really cooked with pressure cooker. I think this is a good tutorial for a first timer like me. :D Thanks for the recipe and the tutorial.


~Drew
HCG Diet Protocol