Grains
WARNING: Never fill the pressure cooker to more than half its capacity
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with grains, as these foods tend to expand and froth during cooking .
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Clean out any foreign particles . Rinse them with warm water . Soak grains, in
four times their volume of warm water for at least four hours before cooking
them, or if you prefer, leave them to soak overnight . Do not add salt, for this
will harden grains and prevent them from absorbing water .
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Do not leave rice to soak .
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After soaking remove floating grains or shells .
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Drain the water off the grains .
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Rinse them in warm water (this also applies to rice .)
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Cook each cup of grain in the quantity of water indicated in the recipe or on
the package .
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If you prefer, add salt to taste .
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After the cooking time is up, use the natural release method to allow the
pressure to decrease naturally .
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Cooking times may vary depending on the quality of the grains . If after the
recommended cooking time the grains are still hard, continue cooking them
with the lid off . If necessary, add water .
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A cup of grains expands to approximately two cupfuls when cooked .
APPROXIMATE
GRAINS (1 cup)
WATER QUANTITY
Rice, basmati
1 ½ cups
Rice, brown
1 ½ cups
Rice, long grain
1 ½ cups
Rice, wild
3 cups
Meat and Poultry
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Remove all the visible fat from the meat or poultry . If you are preparing a
complete cut of meat or poultry, such as a roast, cut it in such a way that it
fits in the cooker without touching the sides .
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Meat and poultry cut up into small pieces cooks more quickly .
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To achieve best results, brown the meat or poultry with 2 to 3 tablespoons of
vegetable or olive oil in the pressure cooker with the lid off before adding the
other ingredients . Do not overload the pressure cooker (never more than the
"Max 2/3" line) . Brown the meat in batches, if necessary . Drain the excess
fat and begin cooking as indicated in the recipe .
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Always cook meat and poultry with at least 1/2 a cup of liquid . If the cooking
time exceeds 15 minutes, use two cups of liquid . Meats with preservatives
or salted meats should be covered by the water .
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Never fill the pressure cooker more than the "Max 2/3" line .
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COOKING TIME
PRESSURE LEVEL
5-7 minutes
High
15-20 minutes
High
5-7 minutes
High
22-25 minutes
High
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When you prepare a concentrated stock or soup, put all the ingredients in
the pressure cooker and add water to half its capacity .
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Exact cooking times vary depending on the quality and quantity of the meat
which is cooked . Unless the recipe indicates otherwise, the cooking times
given are for 3 lbs . of meat or poultry . Also, the larger the cut of meat, the
longer the cooking time will be .
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After the cooking time is up, use the natural release method to allow the
pressure to decrease naturally .
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When you cook beef or poultry with vegetables, begin by cooking the meat
in stock or another liquid . Subtract from the cooking time recommended for
the meat, the cooking time of the vegetable ingredient which takes longest
to cook . Pressure cook the meat first . Release the pressure from the cooker
using the quick release method . Open the cooker and add the vegetables .
Check the seasoning . Bring the pressure cooker up to pressure again and
continue pressure cooking for the cooking time recommended for the
vegetables . If you want to add vegetables which cook rapidly, such as peas
or mushrooms, do not pressure cook them at the same time as the other
vegetables that take longer to cook . Add them to the cooker right before
serving and boil them in the pressure cooker with the lid off until they are
ready . Example: if you are cooking a beef brisket (cooking time 43 minutes)
with potatoes (cooking time 7 minutes) and sliced carrots (cooking time 1
½ minute), you should first cook the meat by itself for 34 ½ minutes, then
release the pressure, add the potatoes and cook for an additional 7 minutes .
Finally, add the carrots and let them simmer for another minute or so until
they are cooked .
MEAT AND POULTRY
APPROXIMATE COOKING TIME
Beef/veal, roast or brisket
Beef/veal, (shanks) 1 1/2-inch wide
Beef/veal, 1-inch cubes, 1 1/2-pounds
Beef/veal, roast or brisket
Beef, dressed, 2 pounds
Meatballs, 1-2 pounds
Beef, cured
Pork, roast
Pork, ribs, 2 pounds
Pork leg, smoked, 2 pounds
Pork, ham, pieces
Lamb, leg
Lamb, 1-inch cubes, 1 1/2-pounds
Chicken, whole, 2 to 3 pounds
Chicken, in pieces, 2 to 3 pounds
Soup or concentrated stock of beef or fowl
PRESSURE LEVEL
35-40 minutes
High
25-30 minutes
High
10-15 minutes
High
35-40 minutes
High
10-15 minutes
High
5-10 minutes
High
50-60 minutes
High
40-45 minutes
High
15 minutes
High
20-25 minutes
High
20-25 minutes
High
35-40 minutes
High
10-18 minutes
High
12-18 minutes
High
8-10 minutes
High
10-15 minutes
High
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