Contents
Guide
Photographs
Eva Kolenko
pressure cooker
THE
COOKBOOK
Contents
Farro Risotto with Mushrooms,
Thyme & Asiago
Lemon-Vanilla Cheesecake
with Berry Compote
All About Pressure Cooking
Here in the Williams Sonoma Test Kitchen, we use pressure cookers to create
nutritious, flavorful meals in a flash; from weeknight suppers to weekend dinner
parties, its one of our handiest devices. These appliances cook food more quickly
than conventional methods, shaving off huge amounts of time from typically
slow-cooking ingredients like dried beans, whole grains, and tough cuts of meat
so that meals get on the table faster.
Whether you have a stovetop or an electric model (), they both function
the same way: the tightly sealed pot quickly boils liquid, then traps in the steam
and generates pressure, so the temperature rises far beyond the boiling point,
with the liquid forced into the ingredients, resulting in faster, more evenly cooked
food. The high heat of the pressure cooker increases caramelizing and browning,
which means that food emerges more flavorful and tender. Dishes that are often
reserved for weekends, when they can slow cook all day, can now be made
in no time any day of the week.
Discover the impressive speed and efficiency of the pressure cooker through
delicious recipes like Green Chile & Tomatillo Carnitas (), Chicken Pho
with Lemongrass & Bok Choy (), and Spaghetti Squash with Chicken
Meatballs & Quick Tomato Sauce (). Youll also find everyday staples,
such as white rice, quinoa, and polenta, which cook in 20 minutes or less and
homemade chicken stock () in just over an hour. Dont forget to save
room for dessert. Quick-cooking treats like Coconut & Cinnamon Rice Pudding
()
will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Stovetop appliances have
easy-to-use pressure valves.
Youll know when all the
steam has been released
because you can actually
see and hear the steam
while its being released.
Many appliances include
multiple settings for a variety
of different dishes. Consult
the manufacturers guide to
learn how to best implement
individual settings.
Pressure Cooker Features
All of the recipes in this book can be used with either a stovetop
or electric pressure cooker. You can read more about the differences
between the two models on . Here are just a few of the
general features we love about pressure cookers.
Most stovetop models
are fitted with lock-on lids,
ensuring your safety while
cooking. The lid will click
when properly closed, and
the pressure cooking wont
begin until the lid is locked.
One of the advantages of
an electric pressure cooker
is a digital screen that displays
cooking settings and a timer.
Some also have an automatic
steam-release function.
Stovetop Pressure Cookers:
These models are
powered by the heat of a stovetop, which means heat
levels are controlled manually. The benefit is that you
can use heat, as high as your stovetop will go, to create
a perfect sear on meat and poultry before cooking the
ingredients under pressure. Generally, these models
can reach higher levels of pressure than electric models.
Electric Pressure Cookers:
Powered by electricity,
these models are portable (you can use them anywhere
theres an electrical outlet available) and free up the
stovetop for other uses. Built-in timers and preset heat
levels that maintain the temperature automatically make
electric pressure cookers virtually hands-off. Some
models feature no- or low-pressure cooking modes,
which means they can also be used as slow cookers.
Consult the manufacturers guide to learn more about
using your device.
Stovetop & Electric Pressure Cookers
There are two models of pressure cookers: stovetop and electric. Both models
come in a variety of sizes; we recommend a 6-quart pot, which cooks 46 servings
of food and will accommodate all of the recipes in this book. When deciding
between pressure cookers, there are a few differences to consider.
Bone-in or boneless
meat & poultry
Desserts
Dips
Dried beans
Grains
Potatoes
Natural-Release versus
Quick-Release
In this book,
you will find recipes that
call for releasing the steam
naturally or quick-releasing
the steam. A natural-release
is just turning off the heat
with a locked lid in place and
can take several minutes.
A quick-release is when
you open the steam valve
to release all the steam
at once. The method of
release is determined by
whether a recipe benefits
from additional residual
cooking by steam (natural-
release method), such as
grains and beans, or if its
a quick-cooking food that
benefits from having all
the heat removed at once
(quick-release method) so
that food doesnt overcook.
Consult the manufacturers
guide for more information
on releasing steam.
Rice & risotto
Sauces
Seafood
Soups
Stews
Stocks
Vegetables
What can be cooked in a pressure cooker?
Chipotle Honey Short Ribs
Artichokes Stuffed with Garlicky
Bread Crumbs & Pancetta
ALWAYS USE LIQUID
Pressure cookers work by rapidly
bringing liquids to a boil, then trapping the steam to
quickly cook the pots contents. In order for the process
to work, all pressure cooker recipes must include liquid;
too little liquid can result in dry, overcooked food. Consult
the manufacturers guide to learn about minimum and
maximum liquid amounts.
CHOP UNIFORMLY
Cut ingredients into roughly the
same size so that the food cooks evenly. If preparing
a dish that uses both fast- and slow-cooking ingredients
(such as potatoes and bone-in beef), partially cook
the slow-cooking items first before adding the other
ingredients to the pot.
DONT OVERFILL
Leave some room in the pressure
cooker for steam to collect and cook the food. Never
fill the pot more than two-thirds full with food nor more
than half full with liquid.
USE HIGH HEAT
Always start pressure cooking on high
heat so the contents reach a boil as soon as possible,
helping the cooking time to get a jump-start.
KEEP IT CLEAN
Although many models are dishwasher-
safe, we find that its easier to wash the cooker, including
its hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, by hand. Make sure
the appliance is completely dry before storing it.
Tips & Tricks for Using a Pressure Cooker
Cooking in a pressure cooker is easy, but keeping a few tips and tricks
in mind ensures the best-quality results, maintains your pot in tip-top
