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Description
They have the power to quickly boil liquid, trapping in steam and generating pressure. This increases the temperature enough to force liquid into your food, resulting in more even, faster cooking. But pressure cookers can do more than just "slow cook" a roast in half the time. Here's what else.
Steam
You can insert a steamer basket into the cooker, fill the basket with veggies, and add water. Vegetables like broccoli, summer squash, and carrots cook in about 2 minutes.
Brown or Saute
You can sear meat directly in the pressure cooker before proceeding with your recipe. That means more flavor with fewer dirty dishes.
Hyvee Culinary Expert Tip
When cooking stews and gravies in a pressure cooker, you may need to thicken the liquid after cooking by adding a slurry. Just dissolve 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of cold water. Whisk this mixture into your stew or sauce and cook for several minutes until thickened.
Cook Rice
A pressure cooker can replace your rice cooker. It also cooks other grains such as farro or quinoa—all in about half the time.
Slow Cook
And finally, it can replace your slow cooker.
Hyvee Culinary Expert Tip
Pressure-cooking a 3- to 4-lb. roast takes about 50 minutes compared to 5 to 7 hours in a slow cooker.
