I’ve had some great input from you guys about the pressure cooker. I’m discovering that it’s a whole new way of cooking with a whole new set of rules. The first rule that I’ve broken is “don’t overfill the pressure cooker.” Last night I decided to try cooking beans, grains and vegetables in different stages. The beans and grains were no problem, I used one cup of beans that I soaked overnight:
I also added a cup of millet, a grain I have never used before. I think I got this bag when I went on my tour of Bob’s Red Mill last August. (Remember when I got to meet Bob!?!). Millet is gluten-free, too, by the way.
I used about a cup of water and heated the pressure cooker to high for 3 minutes. Then, I added mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes and some different spices including garlic power, curry, cumin and chili powder:
My mistake was adding all this kale plus more water:
I filled the pot all the way to the top and, when I tried to bring it back to high pressure, it shut off. Darn! I ended up simmering the pot to cook everything through (my device has a simmer setting). About 15 minutes later, I had this:
The millet was the highlight!
So my pressure cooker experience needs some refining and practice. I’ve already requested one of Lorna Sass’ books from my local library along with an Idiot’s Guide to the PC as well (in this case, I am starting to feel like an idiot). 
Thankfully, dinner was not ruined and I had my trusty crackpot going in the background for some slow-cooker applesauce. The slow-cooker is definitely in my domain, the pressure cooker is yet to be conquered. Have a great Monday!
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There will be some misses to go along with the hits! I’ve had times when I thought I was making soup but I ended up with beans — and when I thought I was making beans and it ended up being soup
Kale is tricky because of the volume when it’s raw (I chop it up into bite size pieces and it helps). I suspect this might be one of the differences with electric and stove-top. At least with electric it wouldn’t let you go to pressure because of the overfilling. With mine (stove top) I make sure that I do not go past the line with water, but the kale on top isn’t prohibitive to going to pressure — hope that made sense! LOL Lorna’s books are awesome. Great Vegetarian Cooking Under Pressure is a favorite.
I want a pressure cooker! My favorite use for my slow cooker is beans, and I want to try making grains in there. I’m considering getting a second one for those days when I want to cook two different types of beans for different purposes!
Hi Kaitlyn, I have two crockpots and I often use both of them at the same time, one for soups and one for applesauce. The pressure cooker seems like it’s going to be a nice addition to my appliances, but I just have to get the hang of it.
actually broken several rules. beans and grains have different pressure cooking requirements. I will look into the particulars and get back to you.
Is this a cuisinart? Guide book should help satisfy the different requirements.
One option is to co cook, do a sauce pan for one while you are preparing the other.
Paul
Paul’s point is a good one! I actually pull out a cooking guide when making beans, grains, and veggies together (which I do very often) and choose a bean and grain that have similar cooking times. For instance, I made a lentil and squash chili because the cooking time for lentils is 4 minutes and butternut squash is 3 – 5 minutes. I made a flageolet bean and millet stew because both the bean, and the millet, cook in 10 minutes. It’s actually a really fun way to create recipes because you start to mix and match what you have on hand and can play with seasonings, etc.
Great suggestion, JL. I guess I’m lucky I didn’t burn the house down last night with my haphazard combination of grains, beans and veggies. Thank goodness for auto-shutoffs! I’m starting to realize that “winging it” with the pressure cooker isn’t the best strategy, I’m going to do more internet and cookbook consulting. Tonight I’m going to make butternut squash only and then add it to my leftovers from last night. Back to basics, I guess.
Hi Paul! I feel proud having broken two rules at one time…what a rebel I am! Pretty soon I will have your angry, red triangle face as my “rebel” avatar, ha ha. My pressure cooker is a Cuisinart but I hate the manual for it, it sucks (to be blunt). I’m anxious to get a real pressure cooker cookbook so I get some better results. Thanks for the comment.
thanks Carrie, I look back on what I wrote, and maybe “broke rules” was a little strong. didn’t mean it!
I just meant two aspects of pressure cooking. Hey, I’m getting used to my angry red triangle face.. lol. It’s a lot more current than the 2008 pic on Dr F’s. pressure cooker cookbooks? why didn’t ya say so! http://www.amazon.com/Everything-Pressure-Cooker-Cookbook/dp/1440500177/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1329247512&sr=8-3
http://www.amazon.com/Pressure-Perfect-Twenty-Minutes-Cooker/dp/0060505346/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329247572&sr=1-9
time tables in both books. My instant pot is coming … yeah!!!
Hi Paul, can’t wait for your review of the Instant Pot and thanks for the book recommendations!
So what pressure cooker would you guys suggest? Brand? size? I am looking into it because I think it would be a great thing to have… Thanks!
Hi Kristie, I will be purchasing a new pressure cooker in the next several weeks. One of my biggest requirements will be that it is LARGE because, unlike a slow cooker, the pressure cooker can only be filled 1/2 to 3/4 full. I haven’t picked out a brand, yet, but I will let you know when I make my decision.
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