The 9 Steps of Using a Pressure Cooker

Author: Tara Chugh

Growing up, I have always loved the taste of food that comes out of a pressure cooker! The flavors get infused in a way that you cannot get with other types of cooking. And the nutrients don't leach out - they stay in the food! Pressure cookers are particularly useful because they can cut hours off cooking time, and they can make a diverse selection of foods ranging from stews to lentils to dulce de leche! However, pressure cookers can also be intimidating to use for the first time. Here are nine steps for using a pressure cooker so that you can use one without being afraid of causing an explosion!

9 Tips for Pressure Cooking:

If you have extra time, browning the ingredients with spices before you put them into the pressure cooker (if your recipe calls for them) adds extra texture and flavor.
Make sure there is enough liquid to create the pressure. If you don't have enough liquid (water or broth) the food will burn out. But be careful not to add too much liquid — it will make your dish soupy and mushy, and you don't want that!
Once the ingredients are in the pressure cooker, make sure the top is properly secured. You can hear a click when the top fits in with the cooker.
Put the weight on! Otherwise, the steam will escape, and there will be no pressure created to do the cooking!
Let the steam slowly build up on medium heat, and make sure the safety valve starts to release pressure. If it doesn't, then turn the cooker off. Without the safety valve releasing some of the pressure, the top could blow off!
Once you hear the steam being let out, follow the recipe instructions for how long to let the steam release. Cooking on slow, steady pressure will give the food more flavor.
Once you turn the cooker off, remove the cooker from the heat. Let the steam work its way out. You will hear the pressure valve click down. Lift the weight with a spoon or a fork - no steam should be released.
Gently open the lid. The food inside could still be very hot, depending on how long you wait after the pressure is released.
Stir the ingredients, plate and enjoy!

Happy pressure cooking!