Pressure Cooker

 

 

The pressure cooker is an airtight aluminum or stainless steel vessel that helps to cook food at high temperature by using pressurized steam. The process of cooking using a pressure cooker is called pressurecooking. The food cooked by this method consumes less water, less time and less energy when compared to the other foods prepared by boiling or steaming. High protein and non-perishable foods such as rice, root vegetables, beans, and legumes take long time to cook normally and the pressure cooker helps in cooking these foods fast while preserving their nutritional worth and saving upon the  fuel that is used in cooking the food.

 

 

Origin of Pressure Cooker

 

The first pressure cooker was invented by Denis Papin in 1679. He was a French mathematician and physicist. Early models of pressure cookers were sold in 1927 in Germany. By 1939, National Presto Industries sold the first commercial pressure cookers. After the World War 2, the pressure cooking methods dynamically changed the average kitchen across Europe and America.

 

 

The Process of Pressure Cooking

The ingredients required for a particular dish are kept inside the pressure cooker with the required amount of water. The lid is then closed and the pressure regulator weight is placed on the steam vent. A circular rubber gasket along the rim of the lid prevents the steam and air from escaping. When the pressure and temperature comes to a certain level, a minimum amount of steam is released either through the steam vent or through a relief vent. This way the pressure inside the cooker is maintained. The maximum pressure that a pressure cooker can hold is 15 psi. Food cooks at one-third of the time taken by processes like boiling or braising.

To release the pressure inside the cooker, one can wait till it cools down or release the pressure by unplugging the pressure regulator weight. It can also be kept under flowing water to release the pressure immediately. However, the safety guidelines of the manufacturer must be followed before starting to use.

 

 

Popular Pressure Cooker Recipes

The advantage of cooking in a pressure cooker is that all the micro organisms are killed while the vitamins and minerals in the food remain intact. Pressure cooker recipes are popular throughout the Indian Subcontinent and in Asia. Some of the popular recipes include Biryani, Pulao, Pasta, Carrot Halwa and Kheer.

 

 

Advantages of using a Pressure Cooker

In higher altitudes, it helps in speedy cooking. Several foods can be cooked at the same time in the same pressure cooker by using separate vessels inside it which saves on energy.

 

 

Tip for Using Pressure Cookers

The rubber gasket should be changed periodically for safety.

 

 

Pressure Cooker:Trivia

During the early days of its invention, it was mistaken as a tool for witchcraft as it constantly released steam with a hissing sound.