What Makes the Best Pressure Cooker?

There are several different types of electric pressure cookers on the market, but what features and benefits are included with the best pressure cooker?

We’re here to help answer that question and review some of most helpful and convenient features some pressure cookers have. Nearly any pressure cooker you buy is going to save you time, energy and money when it comes to preparing meals, but when shopping around for the right pressure cooker to buy make sure it includes all of the following benefits:

Non-Stick Inner Pot: Having the inner pot of your pressure cooker be a non-stick surface is a must. This will make using and cleaning your pressure cooker much easier.

Safe Lock Lid: One of the best safety features a pressure cooker can have is a safe lock lid. This will prevent accidents from happening and pressure from being released while cooking.

Stainless Steel Housing: The outer housing of your pressure cooker should be something versatile and sturdy like stainless steel. This will help extend the life of your pressure cooker.

One-Touch Preset Buttons: The best pressure cookers come equipped with one-touch preset buttons to make cooking as quick and easy as possible. Don’t waste time figuring out what setting to cook your food on. Your pressure cooker should do all of that work for you.

Digital Display Panel: A digital display on your pressure cooker will be able to tell you exactly how much cooking time there is left. Other electric pressure cooker models that have dials instead of digital displays can keep you guessing and be less accurate.

Steam Release Valve: One of the most important steps when preparing meals in a pressure cooker is the releasing of the steam at the end of the cooking process. An electric pressure cooker with a steam release valve allows this to be done efficiently and properly.

So next time you’re in the market for a pressure cooker, look for one with these awesome features and your life in the kitchen will be made so much easier and safer.

Kitchen Appliances that Make Cooking Easier & Faster

Life in the kitchen has never been easier! That’s because of the many innovative cooking appliances and products that have made food prep as efficient as ever.

The days of slaving away over a hot stove or oven are practically gone. There are now numerous kitchen appliances that are discrete and versatile. Using them helps save us time and energy, and makes cooking much more enjoyable. To highlight some of these products, here’s a list of some kitchen appliances that make cooking easier and faster.

Slow Cooker: A slow cooker isn’t necessarily going to cook your food faster, but that’s not the point. A slow cooker allows you to put food in it early in the day and let it sit as you go about your business. Cooking doesn’t get much easier than letting something stew in a slow cooker.

Microwave: Now this is where speed comes into play. With the touch of one button, a microwave can have your food ready in minutes, perhaps even seconds depending on the item. Microwaves can be used to heat up or cook a wide range of foods, from meats and pastas, to popcorn and oatmeal.

Electric Pressure Cooker: Pressure cookers are incredible because they’ll produce food that’s more delicious than usual but it will cook it up to 70 percent faster than other kitchen appliances. There are also many great electric pressure cooker recipes online for you to try.

Toaster Oven: If a meal you’re making requires an oven but you’re short on time, a toaster oven is a great alternative. It cooks food practically the same way as an oven, but does so much faster. Toaster ovens are great kitchen appliances for making food like toast or frozen pizza. Toaster Ovens are also great for reheating and keeping food warm.

Electric Pressure Cooker Recipes to get you Through the Holidays

If you own a pressure cooker, you’re in luck because cooking this holiday season just got a whole lot easier for you. Between all of the electric pressure cooker recipes that are out there, you’ll have plenty of meals to make throughout the holiday season and even thereafter.

Thanksgiving meals are made a breeze when using a pressure cooker as your primary kitchen appliance. You can make delicious dishes for all three courses of your feast, and do so in half the time!

Start by making some mashed sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce in just minutes by using your pressure cooker’s cooking presets. Don’t forget about sides like glazed carrots and thanksgiving stuffing! Both can be made easily in a pressure cooker.

And believe it or not, your Thanksgiving turkey can even be prepared in your pressure cooker while maintaining its flavor and tenderness.

When it comes to Christmas and the rest of the holidays that make up the holiday season, there are tons of other great electric pressure cooker recipes that will make you look like a kitchen guru to your loved ones. They won’t believe how good the food you’re making taste or how fast you’re able to make it!

Pressure cookers can be used to make a variety of different soups to help get you through the cold winter months or just to get a meal started. The cooking technology of pressure cookers keeps pork loins and holiday hams as juicy as ever.

Finding electric pressure cooker recipes online will also help take care of dessert. Making holiday favorites such as apple cake and bread pudding is also easier than ever before when you use a pressure cooker.

So what are you waiting for? Don’t waste too much time in the kitchen this holiday season. Save that time for your family and start utilizing the many great electric pressure cooker recipes that are available.

 

Celebrate National Pepper Month with these Power Pressure Cooker Recipes

It doesn’t take owning a digital pressure cooker long to realize the many benefits that this all-in-one kitchen appliance has to offer. Using an electric pressure cooker to prepare your meals not only saves you time in the kitchen, but it can also reduce clean up and stress while cooking.

There are many great pressure cooker recipes to enjoy, but November is National Pepper Month, and to help you celebrate the right way, here are some delicious pressure cooker recipes that include peppers in the ingredients.

Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Ingredients

• 6 red bell peppers-cut thick julienned
• 2 red onions- cut thick julienned
• 4 plum tomatoes- cut thick julienned
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 potato peeled, diced
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup of white wine (Chardonnay)
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon white pepper

Directions

• Place the inner pot into the digital pressure cooker. Place the oil in the inner pot. Press the “Soup/Stew” button. Set time to 15 minutes.
• Add the red peppers, garlic and onion. Cook until they get soft, about 3-4 minutes, then add tomatoes, and white wine, cook additional 2-3 minutes.
• Add the chicken stock and potato.
• Place the lid on the electric pressure cooker, lock the lid and switch the pressure release valve to “Closed.”
• Once the timer reaches zero, the cooker will automatically switch to “KEEP WARM.” Press the “CANCEL” button. Switch the pressure release valve to “Open.” When the steam is completely released, remove the lid.
• Carefully remove soup from the inner pot and transfer to blender to puree until smooth. Or use a stick blender.
• Serve (serves up to four people).

This is a hearty soup that is super easy to make. It can be naturally thickened with potato to make it gluten-free and the chicken stock can be substituted for vegetable stock to go vegan.

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 8 ounces chicken breast, diced
• 1 pound bowtie pasta
• 12 ounces heavy cream
• 2 cups water
• 1 onion, diced
• 5 cup green and red pepper, diced
• 3 tablespoons Cajun spice
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 ounces heavy cream

Directions

• Place the inner pot in the digital pressure cooker. Press the “Rice/Risotto” button. Cook for 6 minutes.
• Heat the olive oil, brown the chicken, add in the onion, garlic, Cajun spice, and the peppers, cook for 2 minutes.
• Then add in the pasta, heavy cream, and water, mix.
• Place the lid on the electric pressure cooker, lock lid and switch the pressure valve to “Closed.”
• Once the timer reaches zero, the cooker will automatically switch to “KEEP WARM.” Press the “CANCEL” button. When the steam is completely released, remove the lid.
• Stir in optional heavy cream.
• Serve top with fresh grated cheese (serves up to four people).

How I Won a Chili Cook-Off with an Electric Pressure Cooker

No doubt, there are chili recipes out there that are tried-and-true and have won many chili cook-off contests.  My Uncle Larry had one of these types of chili recipes, and he would bring a big bowl of it to every family gathering when I was a kid. Uncle Larry’s chili seemed to have the perfect amount of each ingredient and a taste that would always leave you wanting more.

But Uncle Larry would never give up the secrets to his “famous” chili recipe.  I’ve tried for years to replicate it, but have failed miserably many times. This became particularly frustrating when we decided to have a chili cook-off at work for our company’s holiday gathering.

The winner of the contest received two extra paid vacation days for the upcoming year, so needless to say, everyone was determined to win. Now in his elderly years, my Uncle Larry is still stubborn and won’t reveal how to make his delicious chili. I hounded him for days, but got nowhere.

That’s when an electric pressure cooker chili recipe I found online saved the day.

I love using my digital pressure cooker to prepare other meals and snacks, but I never knew it could be used to make chili. With very little time to throw something together for the chili cook-off, I decided to give pressure cooker chili a shot and quickly gathered all of the ingredients.

With some crushed tomatoes, beef stock, onion, dried red beans, black beans, chili powder, cumin, ground coriander, crush red pepper flake, sugar, and grape seed oil, I had myself some excellent tasting chili in no time.

Using my pressure cooker’s “Chicken/Meat” setting, as well as the “Soup/Stew” preset, I was able to make mouth-watering chili in less than an hour.

Not only did deciding to use my electric pressure cooker to make chili save me time and stress, it also won me the contest! My pressure cooker chili was so good that the entire office was raving about it for weeks.

I might just have to take one of my two newly earned vacation days and see if Uncle Larry wants to put his chili to the test against mine.

Pressure Cooker Recipes for Football Sundays

Football is finally here and that means spending Sundays glued to the TV while cheering on your favorite team. But with football on all day, it can be hard to find time to step away and prepare a meal to munch on while you watch.

That’s no longer an issue if you have a digital pressure cooker that can cook delicious dishes in minutes, and without you having to leave the couch to tend to your food.

To help you get started on your Sunday menu, here are a few great recipes that can be easily made using the Power Pressure Cooker XL—the top digital pressure cooker on the market.

Kielbasa and Kraut

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds kielbasa
• 2 pounds sauerkraut, drained
• 1 tablespoon Caraway seeds
• 2 tablespoons spiced mustard

Directions:

• Place the inner pot into the digital pressure cooker
• Press the “Chicken/Meat” button to set for 15 minutes
• Combine all ingredients in the inner pot
• Secure the lid on the digital pressure cooker
• Lock the lid and switch the pressure release valve to “Closed”
• Once the timer reaches zero, the digital pressure cooker will automatically switch to “Keep Warm”
• Press “Cancel”
• Switch the pressure release valve to “Open”
• When the stem is completely released, remove the lid
• Serve with mustard

Loaded Mash Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds red potatoes, quartered
• 5 cups chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 5 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and diced
• 2 ounces butter
• 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
• 2 tablespoons scallions

Directions:

• Place the inner pot into the digital pressure cooker
• Press the “Soup/Stew” button to set for 10 minutes
• Add the potatoes, stock, salt and pepper to the inner pot
• Secure the lid on the Cooker
• Lock the lid and switch the pressure release valve to “Closed”
• Once the timer reaches zero, the digital pressure cooker will automatically switch to “Keep Warm”
• Press “Cancel”
• Switch the pressure release valve to “Open”
• When the steam is completely released, remove the lid
• Mash the potatoes add the cream and butter
• Then fold in the rest of the ingredients
• Serve

Creamy Mac and Cheese with Chorizo

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces chorizo, sliced
• 6 ounces cream cheese
• 1 pound elbow pasta, dry
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

Directions:

• Place the inner pot into the digital pressure cooker
• Press the “Soup/Stew” button to set for 10 minutes
• Combine all ingredients into inner pot.
• Secure the lid on the digital pressure cooker
• Lock the lid and switch the pressure release valve to “Closed”
• Once the timer reaches zero, the digital pressure cooker will automatically switch to “Keep Warm
• Press “Cancel”
• Switch the pressure release valve to “Open”
• When the steam is completely released, remove the lid
• Serve

Answering Your Electric Pressure Cooker Questions

An electric pressure cooker can be a quick, easy and convenient way to fulfill most of your cooking needs. However, versatile electric pressure cookers with numerous functions can cause many questions to arise while using them.

To help make cooking easier for you, we’ve decided to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about electric pressure cookers.

What’s the Capacity?

Electric pressure cookers will come in a variety of sizes and hold different capacities depending on what type you purchase, but common measurements for the capacity of these kitchen appliances are 6 and 8 quarts.

How do I Set the Cooking Time?

The cooking presets on your electric pressure cooker signify different cooking times and styles for various types of food. Simply hitting these buttons generally will set a cook time automatically, but this time can often time be adjusted manually for a more specific time.

Can I Adjust the Pressure?

Yes, much like the cooking time, the cooking pressure of your electric pressure cooker can be set using the preset buttons or manually.

Can I Slow Cook, Sauté or Brown Foods?

Electric pressure cookers tend to have a slow cook feature that cooks food at a low pressure. Some electric pressure cookers have buttons that allow you to brown or sauté food, but if not, these effects can generally be achieved by cooking at one of the higher preset temperatures with the lid off.

When is it Safe to Remove the Lid?

Be sure not to remove the lid of your electric pressure cooker while it’s cooking. Once all the pressure is released, the lid may be removed. If the lid is difficult to open, then the electric pressure cooker is still pressurized and you should not force it open.

Will my Meal Remain Hot?

Yes, electric pressure cookers typically have “Keep Warm” modes that will automatically switch on when your cook time has elapsed.

Gather Ingredients And Pressure Cooker To Make Weekend ‘Meal Prep’ A Breeze

Being starved for spare time doesn’t have to leave you starving. Given the ever-increasing list of daily responsibilities — from an 8-hour work day to commuting there and back plus having to take care of affairs for friends, family and yourself — we know how busy you are. Factor in finding the time to sit down and eat a decent  meal and you’ve barely got enough time left to sleep. It’s no wonder then that “meal prep” has become a favorite activity of home cooks everywhere. Taking a few hours out of a Saturday or Sunday to prepare food for the coming week has many benefits: Saving money through grocery shopping and not impulsive buys, eating healthier through pre-planned meals and not splurging for lunch and spending quality time at home with family or just yourself.

 

One of the most effective tools you can buy to help you along with this process is a power pressure cooker. These appliances simplify the cooking process by using an air-tight lid that makes cooking with steam a reality. Moreover, the pressure inside the cooker forces liquid into the foods you’re cooking  and locks in flavors. These appliances are also supremely simple to use, with just a handful of preset cooking options that allow you to select the type of food you’re cooking. The time you’ll actually spend in the kitchen waiting for a main course to finish cooking is dramatically decreased thanks to the way these power pressure cookers work. In fact, the appliances are known to cook meals up to 70 percent faster than by using a conventional oven.

 

If you’re looking to save time and money while not skimping on quality ingredients and meals, then a power pressure cooker is likely the way to go. These appliances can cook everything from pot roasts to soups to deserts like bread pudding. We encourage you to take time out this weekend and spend a few hours in the kitchen. We’re sure you’ll appreciate the benefits you’ve reaped throughout the week!

What Are The Best Pressure Cooker Meal Cook Times?

For many aspiring home cooks, the addition of a pressure cooker is an extremely welcome addition. The idea that meals can start to be prepped faster without sacrificing flavor is obviously extremely exciting. However, the truth is the pressure cooker is only as good as the cook utilizing it. It’s important to understand how long something should be pressure cooked and what ingredients should be utilized. In order to help those new or old to the pressure cooking game, we’ve compiled some of the best pressure cooker meals, and their ideal cooking times, that are sure to wow your dining guests.

Best Pressure Cooker Pot Roast – Utilizing a pressure cooker is a great way to put a new twist on a family classic. In order to get the most out of a pot roast in a pressure cooker, it’s suggested to cook it for 45 minutes. 45 minutes in the best pressure cooker will provide a tender pot roast that is juicier than a 20-minute pot roast, because there is more time to break down the connective tissues in the meat. Also, the sauce will be perfectly flavored. Going longer than 45 minutes, will cause the pot roast to become overly chewy and dry.

Best Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork – What’s the secret to the best pressure cooker pulled pork? Knowing how long to cook it based on how many pieces you cut your pork shoulder into. For instance, eight pieces will take 55-60 minutes while two pieces will take roughly 75-80 minutes to cook through. Also, there are a lot of options when it comes to the dry rub on the pork shoulder, but be sure to turn over the meat frequently in the early going to get browning going to perfection. Keep the skin side face down to maximize the juiciness of the pulled pork.

Best Pressure Cooker Meatballs – The best thing about making meatballs in a pressure cooker is it’s such a versatile dinner item. You can make plenty of leftovers and have a spaghetti night, a slider night, a pizza night and more. All you need is a simple sauce, lean ground beef, bacon, garlic, onion, egg, milk, cheese, oregano, fennel seed, Worcestershire sauce and panko bread crumbs to make your meatball mixture. From there, it’s five minutes in the pressure cooker and you are left with moist, cheesy goodness that the whole family is sure to love.

There’s no denying the versatility provided by the pressure cooker, but be sure to research the best pressure cooker cooking times to get the most flavor for your pressure cooker dollar!

 

 

 

Tips for Having an Energy-Efficient Kitchen

Something that everybody wants is the ability to save as much money in the home as they possibly can.  Luckily, with advancements in technology over the course of the last few decades, we are now in the golden age of kitchen appliances that will save you energy costs.  The ability to work faster with an easier workload is something that everybody wants, especially when it comes to the tediousness of cooking.

Energy-Efficient Refridgerator

What’s great about an energy-efficient refridgerator is that it keeps your food just as cold, but with much less energy.  Many fridges today are rated by Energy-Star, which certifies that it will be using much less energy during its operation.  More modern fridges may use  less than half of the energy that their outdated counterparts use, which saves you a nice chunk  of change off of your energy bill.  Your wallet will be much happier with an energy efficient fridge, and your food will be just as fresh.

Energy-Efficient Dishwasher

 Dishwashers are one of the most energy-consuming appliances in your kitchen, using energy to heat water, rinse, and dry dishes.  With modern energy-saving technology, the operational cost of a dishwasher in the home decreases significantly, limiting energy use, as well as water use.  Upgrading to an energy-efficient dishwasher doesn’t only save you costs on your electricity bill, but also on your water bill.  Most modern dishwashers are designed with efficient water use tactics in mind, saving plenty of gallons per year.

Electric Pressure Cooker

Using a traditional pressure cooker on the stove wastes time, and energy, while using an electric pressure cooker will save you both.  By using electrical power as a heating system, these pressure cookers heat up quicker, and cook faster than their traditional counterpart. An electric pressure cooker is an absolute must-have for energy saving costs.  Cooking meals in an electric pressure cooker will save you costs on your gas bill, and serve up food that’s just as delicious!