Introduction to Pressure Cooking Mastery
What is a pressure cooker?
Pressure cookers are known to be one of the most versatile cooking vessels you can own. They are easy to use, easy to clean and they provide a lot of convenience when you are looking to save time.
Pressure cookers are also known to be healthier alternatives to other traditional cooking methods. Since they rely on hot liquid steam to cook ingredients, you may need very little or no oil when preparing your favourite dishes. This makes pressure cookers ideal for those looking for healthier methods to use in the kitchen.
What are some important uses of a pressure cooker?
Pressure cookers are popular for helping you perform a series of quick and efficient actions that are a big help in the kitchen. Pressure cookers are not only known for their ability to steam ingredients, but some pressure cooker uses include: preparing soups, cooking pulses, cooking different types of protein and helping prepare ingredients that can be used to make complicated recipes quickly without compromising on the taste and texture.
Other pressure cooker uses include boiling pulses and vegetables, tenderising meats and simmering your favourite stews for a deeper and richer taste, and ensuring the flavours of your ingredients are well preserved.
In this blog, we are going to explore how to use a pressure cooker, how a pressure cooker works, learn important pressure cooker tips and so much more!
Understanding Your Pressure Cooker's Features
Let's explore some important features you should look out for when buying a pressure cooker for your kitchen:
- Size and material: Pressure cookers come in a wide range of sizes (Prestige cookers start from 1.5litres and go all the way up to 20 litres) and they are also available in different materials (Prestige cookers are available in stainless steel, aluminium, tri-ply stainless steel and hard anodised). You should choose the size that best meets the quantity of food you need to prepare on a daily basis.
- Safety and durability: Your pressure cooker should have an excellent safety mechanism so that you can cook worry-free and they should also last you a long time. Prestige cookers come with multiple safety features that ensure your safety is never compromised. They also come with useful warranty plans.
- Cleanliness and maintenance: Cooking with a pressure cooker should never be a messy affair. Prestige cookers have a unique deep lid design that catches the spillovers from when you use your pressure cooker. This helps make it easier to keep your kitchen space clean and well-maintained.
Tip 1: Reading the Manual Like a Pro
Read the pressure cooker manual thoroughly before you start cooking with your new pressure cooker. This ensures you learn how to use a pressure cooker and how your pressure cooker works.
Every pressure cooker has 2-3 important parts: the cooking vessel, the lid, the detachable whistle (in some cases) and a cooker gasket. Assemble these parts according to the manual and you are ready to explore the new uses of your pressure cooker!
Tip 2: Mastering the Water Test
Pressure cookers work on a very simple mechanism of compressed steam and heat. This requires familiarising yourself with how much time it takes to boil a certain amount of liquid. To learn this, you can try this simple pressure cooker tip: Pour three cup of water in your pressure cooker and secure it with the lid. Clock the time it takes for the pressure to build and observe how the pressure is being released with the help of a whistle.
This will not only help you test your new pressure cooker but also learn the cooking cycle to help you prepare dishes in the future.
Tip 3: Liquid Levels and Balance
But how do you know how much water, stock or liquid you will need? The formula is fairly simple. Just ensure that there is sufficient liquid to completely submerge the ingredients you would like to cook. Ingredients that are harder to cook (like raw potatoes) require more liquid or water. Dals and pulses will need water in proportion to the amount of dal you wish to prepare. You can also refer to exclusive recipes for exact measurements.
Tip 4: Layering Ingredients Strategically
One of the best pressure cooker features is that they are also known to be excellent multitaskers. They can help you steam or cook multiple ingredients at the same time. All you need to understand is how you should be layering these ingredients so that nothing burns or overcooks.
You should start with heavier meats and harder vegetables at the bottom. These ingredients will take longer to cook and hence will be in closest contact with the heat. Then you layer your liquid, pulses or rice. Lighter ingredients can be added on the top, but ensure you do not stir them together. If you do not wish to add them directly, you can use the help of compatible steamer baskets to create a barrier. Add sufficient liquid to submerge the base ingredients and the steam will automatically cook the lighter ingredients on top.
Tip 5: Navigating Filling Limits
Pressure cookers are available in a variety of sizes. When cooking certain portion sizes, choose the pressure cooker capacity that meets your needs perfectly.
Just ensure you do not overload or overfill your pressure cooker. This will lead to either uncooked ingredients or it might also result in burning the bottom ingredients which can be dangerous in the kitchen. Fill your pressure cooker up to 2/3rds. This ensures you leave enough space for the hot steam to build up and sufficiently cook the ingredients inside.
Tip 6: Unveiling Pressure Release Methods
Best practices include letting the pressure inside the cooker reduce naturally so that there is no resistance when you open the lid of the cooker. Just be mindful of the hot air that can escape from the sides.
In case you would like to pre-release the pressure, lift the whistle of your pressure cooker. This helps remove the built-up pressure inside the pressure cooker. But just be cautioned, pre-releasing the pressure can result in undercooked ingredients. A pressure cooker continues to cook even after the gas has been switched off, due to the heat and pressure built up inside it. We recommend always letting a pressure cooker release pressure naturally.
Tip 7: Timing is Everything
Once you have mastered how much liquid you need, how to layer your ingredients, and other pressure cooker uses, we will now understand how long you need to cook certain ingredients.
Once you place your ingredients inside the cooker with sufficient liquid and secure the lid, wait for the pressure to build up inside. This will be released at intervals with the help of a whistle. For tougher ingredients, you will need more pressure, and that will result in waiting for more whistles from the pressure cooker.
Keep in mind that there is enough liquid so the ingredients don’t burn.
Tip 8: Maintaining Your Pressure Cooker
While pressure cookers are easy to maintain, they need to be cleaned thoroughly so that they can last you a long time.
To ensure a deeper clean, detach the whistle (if applicable) and remove the gasket. Clean with sufficient soap and dishwashing scrub.
Tip 9: Experimenting with Ingredients and Recipes
Don’t forget to have fun when exploring your pressure cooker’s features! Experiment with different ingredients and recipes to maximise your pressure cooker uses. Unlock a wide and incredible range of dishes with this one cooking vessel. Explore unique recipes and delight your family when you surprise them with new and delicious restaurant-quality dishes at home. In case you would like to try cooking different types of food, be sure to always check the manual for further instructions. Also make a note of what cannot be cooked inside a pressure cooker for future reference.
Conclusion
We hope these tips help you realise how pressure cookers work, what are some important pressure cooker tips and how you can explore your pressure cooker’s features.
TTK Prestige is known to have one of the largest pressure cooker ranges on the market. They come in a variety of sizes, are made of different types of materials and are available at a range of prices that match your needs and your budget perfectly. Be sure to bring home a Prestige cooker and start your cooking journey today!
