I am diligently working on my pressure cooking ebook titled, The New Fast Food: The Veggie Queen Pressure Cooks Whole Food Meals in less than 30 Minutes. I know that the title is more than a mouthful but if you just remember The New Fast Food, The Veggie Queen and Pressure Cooks, or any combination of those words, that will be fine.
Since I am immersed in polishing the book, I’m talking a lot about it. Yesterday I attended a publishing conference through the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association at the amazing Preservation Park in Oakland.
I found out a number of interesting things about people and their perception of pressure cookers and the current state of pressure cooking.
Here are some of the questions:
- Can you buy one that’s not made of aluminum?
- Are they safe?
- Do they blow up?
- Do you have to buy a big one?
- Can you use it on a boat?
- Why do I want to use it instead of my slow cooker?
- What foods do you cook in there?
There were likely more questions but I have since forgotten them, as my head was filled with publishing information throughout the day.
Let me briefly answer the questions that were posed. Do you have any questions of your own? If so, please post them below.
Can you buy pressure cookers that aren’t aluminum?
Yes, you can. In fact, all of the pressure cookers that I own and use are made of stainless steel. Most of the modern pressure cookers which have a spring-valve, which is what I recommend, are made of stainless steel. Likely, almost all the new pressure cookers designed for cooking, and not canning, are made of stainless steel.
Are they safe? Do they blow up?
The cookers are very safe if you follow safety precautions such as adding enough liquid and not forcing open the lid before the pressure is released. Unlike the older model cookers, these pressure cookers usually have at least 4 safety release valves which cause the steam to come out places other than the top. Since there is no longer any jiggler to hiss and twist, nothing can blow off. Or at least that’s my experience with all my various classes over the years.
Can I use it on a boat?
The pressure cooker is a perfect piece of cookware for a boat since it has a lid that locks on. So no matter how much movement there is, the food won’t come sloshing out. Also, since food cooks in 50 t0 70% less time, you use much less fuel which is often a consideration when boating. Additionally, many of the foods that taste great in a pressure cooker such as soup, stew, chili and curry are all wonderful one pot meals.
Why do you want to use it instead of your slow cooker?
The slow cooker is great if you like to plan in advance. I find that the food in the slow cooker has muddled flavors which is just fine for some foods such as chili but not as good for mixed dishes with vegetables where you want all the flavors to be bright. The pressure cooker cooks in an air-free environment which helps lock in colors and flavors and helps preserve nutrients. Also, your food will cook quite quickly so you don’t have to think in advance. You can wait until later in the day and use pantry items to make a great meal.
What foods do I cook in the pressure cooker?
I do most of my cooking in the pressure cooker these days. Of course it doesn’t bake or toast but that’s just a small part of cooking.
I cook whole grains such as brown, red, pink or black rice, quinoa, barley, steel cut oats, all my legumes, beans, pea and lentils in about 70% less time than stove top cooking, vegetables and many mixed dishes that contain variations on these. Currently I am eating one of my favorite dishes: Breakfast potatoes, tofu and vegetables which I also make without the tofu, substituting tempeh, or just the potatoes and vegetables. I make vegetable stock weekly in my pressure cooker which has likely saved me hundreds of dollars each year of using my cooker.
That’s probably enough Q and A for today. Please post any questions that you have below.
I hope to start sharing some of my ebook with you very soon so that I can continue my quest to have you start using a pressure cooker to improve your health and that of the planet, as you save time, money and energy using a pressure cooker.
Jill Nussinow says
Sigrid,
I completely agree with you about what happens with the taste of the food in the pressure cooker – it is enhanced which is a definite plus. I’ll give up good smells in the house for great tasting food.
Sigrid Trombley says
Ellen Skagerberg notes that the slow cooker makes the house smell delicious and she’s absolutely right, but with the pressure cooker, what’s creating those wonderful smells stays in the actual food rather than drifts through the house — and that’s a plus in my book.
Eric Henry says
I am buying a pressure cooker and I want to get a cookbook to go with it. Will your cookbook eventually be released in paper form as well?
Jill Nussinow says
Eric,
The print version of my cookbook will be out in the fall, or at least that’s what the publisher is telling me now. In the meantime, enjoy the ecookbook version.
The benefit is that you can print out the page of the recipe and put it in a sheet protector and not ruin it.
I hope that you love your pressure cooker as much as I do.
Jill Nussinow says
Anita,
i am so happy to hear that you are using and loving your pressure cooker set.
In my ebook, due out soon, there will be around 100 recipes, some of which are on the DVD because those were my favorites.
I hope to get everyone who cares about eating tasty food, and saving some money and energy in the process, to start using a pressure cooker.
I hope that those of us who are pressure cooker lovers can pressure others into seeing why using a pressure cooker make sense.
Anita Leclercq says
Jill i have your dvd on pressure cooking. I make a lot of things from that dvd. I think you are coming out with a pressure cooking book. i can’t wait I bought a Fagor from the link off your website. A big pot and a little pot comes with it with a glass lid for regular cooking. I love mine.