You have probably been cooking rice and curry in your handy pressure cooker. But did you know it can be a versatile tool in the kitchen? This appliance has amazing capabilities for baking, frying, and toasting.
It has a sealed chamber that traps generated steam to cook the contents. The heated steam builds up to increase the pressure and generates around 266℉ or almost 30 PSI of heat.
Did you know that pressure cookers were first manufactured in 1679 by a French physicist called Denis Papin? Since then, pressure cookers have come a long way in terms of design, durability, and usage. In this blog, we will discuss three unique food items to cook and talk about a pressing issue with such pots.
A Tip for First-Time Pressure Cooker Users
Usually, pressure cookers are safe and easy to use. However, manufacturers like Bella, Ninja Foodi, and NuWave distributed defective models. As a result, there were pressure cooker explosion incidents that caused harm to users.
It happened because of inadequate seals, low-quality wiring, faulty gaskets, blocked valves, and bad venting. All of these were manufacturing and design defects. According to TorHoerman Law, the most common issue in a defective pressure cooker was its inability to release the built-up steam, which caused explosions.
As a result, affected individuals started to file a pressure cooker lawsuit for financial compensation. They suffered severe thermal burns to their skin that caused scarring, disfigurement, and infections. In some cases, exploding pots led to traumatic brain and eye injuries.
The Pressure Cooker Lawsuit Organization website states that a 2-year-old girl was badly injured due to an exploding pot. Hence, the family was given a USD 27 million settlement.
3 Unique Food Items You Can Cook in a Pressure Cooker
A pressure cooker needs a liquid source for it to function properly. At the same time, you can sautee food items easily. And it can cook frozen meat better than in an oven. It can sometimes work better than a slow-cooking Crock-Pot.
Of course, you can perfectly cook rice and curry. But you can also cook unconventional items as listed below. Are you ready to shock your family and friends with these lip-smacking recipes?
#1. Cake
You can cook all types of cakes in this appliance like fruit cakes, brownies, and more. A pressure cooker cake is flavorful and soft, unlike dry oven-baked cakes.
To make this, you need sand or salt and a separator. Let it absorb the heat from the pressure cooker by keeping it at a low flame. After that, place your separator and the cake pan inside. Cook it at high flame for 20 minutes, then on low flame until it is cooked evenly.
#2. Lasagna
If you are looking for a quick and easy Italian recipe, then pressure-cooker lasagna would be ideal. The exotic flavors and aroma will surely fill up your kitchen in no time.
All you need to do is layer the sauce and noodles in the pressure cooker. In between each layer, add some cheddar cheese for that ultimate flavor. Once you have reached your four-layer goodness, cover the lid and let it cook for an hour on low flame.
#3. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a quick and healthy recipe you can make with this appliance. It will be soft and easy to digest while giving your family enough nutrition for the day.
Firstly, you will need to mix the oats with water and salt, as usual. Then, place the mixture inside the pot and leave it on high flame for 10 minutes. Once the pressure is released, take it off the stove. Pair it with fruits, milk, and sugar.
Are There Unconventional Food Items You Can Cook in a Pressure Cooker?
Other than the ones mentioned earlier, you can also cook unconventional food items in a pressure cooker, like:
- Mushroom risotto
- Applesauce
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Cheesecake
- Yogurt
- Quesadillas
- Pudding
- Soups
Usually, Americans use pressure cookers to cook braised beef, chili, or stew. However, these unusual yet surprising dishes can come out delicious with the proper recipe.
The Bottom Line
While pressure cookers are a great investment, various pressure cooker explosion lawsuits would disagree. However, this lawsuit occurred due to malfunctioning units from certain brands. As a result, people got hurt and angry. The companies are paying hefty settlement amounts and have changed the manufacturing process.
Other than curry and rice, you can cook cake, lasagna, and oatmeal in this appliance. At the same time, unconventional items like puddings, cheesecakes, and applesauce are easy to make in this appliance.
Are you ready to cook these items with ease and surprise your family?
