Pressure cooker

[debih]

I had one years ago and never really knew how to use it - I think I made a stew in it - once!

Then about 3 years ago I gave it to my father in law who also made a stew in it - once.

He has now given it back to me.

Any ideas as to what I can make in it? Or should I just send it to the charity shop!

[meriad]

My sister had one and gave it to me; and same as you I never really knew how to use it so didn't.... think I gave it to Karl and Nadine who also haven't used it.

From what I gather they are the opposite of a slow cooker so will churn out a super dooper tender meal in a very short time with good flavour because it isn't cooked overly long? but I may be very wrong there

I remember one episode of The Taste, where one of the contestants didn't put enough liquid into the cooker and his food burnt; so that's one thing to bear in mind - you need liquid in a pressure cooker but not in a slow cooker.

I think they're very good for softening fruit etc for jams and compots etc; so maybe that would be of use to you?

[Paddypix]

I had one donkey's years ago, the old fashioned one with a weight on top that was inclined to blow off and make holes in the ceiling. I think the modern ones are much easier to use and they can be very useful for quickly making a tough cut of meat very tender. Great for ten minute soup too.

[Workingman]

On Rick Stein's tour of India he was using one of the old ones with the weights on top.

There were no timings for the recipes they were measured by pffts - when the steam was released. There were 2 pffts meals and 3 pffts meals. The big deal was taking the lid off .... I remember mum being terrified of that part with our old Prestige cooker.

[debih]

Maybe I'll donate it to the charity shop.

[Dippytrout]

TK and Turks in general couldn't survive without a pressure cooker, as we eat a lot of pulses which have to be soaked overnight and take ages to cook in a conventional manner (saucepan)

Also a good way to make a bit of ropey old sheep edible - red meat being very expensive here

TK also uses it to cook squid, octopus and the like.

Me, am scared to death of the thing remember my Mother blowing up the kitchen - so YES give it away or preferably turn it into plant pot

DT

[Osc]

We use ours mainly for cooking ham or bacon, used to use it for other stuff but can't remember what

[Kaz]

I had one years ago and absolutely loved it!! I used to make curries, stews and all sorts in it

[Weka]

I make all sorts in mine. The modern ones normally have two or 3 different safety features to stop you from being able to remove the lid before it's safe.

[debih]

I still haven't tried it out - I'm going to hang on to it until the winter. Stews and curries are more a winter thing.

If it hasn't been used by next spring then its a gonna!