Pressure Cookers, anyone use them?

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natalie_ca

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http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sausage-Kale-and-White-Bean-Soup/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

You have to give that recipe a try!  Sausage, Kale and White Bean Soup!  OMG! It was the best soup I've ever had in my whole life.
Still in love with my pressure cooker!

I go t a new lid so the latch is nice and easy to move. I think I might have gotten water in the latch area of the other one by mistake.

Anyway, I'm going to make this soup again.  I had lost the recipe and remembered that I had posted it here; thank goodness!  Best soup ever!
 

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I need to get mine back out again since I got that new PC cookbook. Lately, our meals have been pretty simple and just plain terrible overall.

Wish you could get down my way sometime, Linda. We have this store down here that's run by the Amish and it's all kitchen stuff. I've never seen so many pressure cookiers in one place. Slow cookers. Canners. And tons and tons of replacement stuff for them. Knives and cooking utensils. Cooking gadgets. Baking pans of all shapes and sizes (when I broke one of my springform pans, that's where I bought a new one). Huge half-sheet pans that are perfect cookies sheets. NordicWare shaped pans (bunnies, trains, etc. I bought some bears back when my grandchildren were small.) They have Rada knives, made in the US and the quality is outstanding. And they're not all that expensive either....I bought a set of the Rada steak knives a few months ago. Glassware, cookware, if you can't find what you're looking for in that store, then it's not made. It's that simple.
 
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natalie_ca

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Have you tried the butter chicken yet!
I finally got around to trying that butter chicken recipe from the pressure cooker booklet.  It wasn't very good. I don't think they really took the time to go over the recipes in the book to check for errors. It isn't the first recipe that I found in there that was filled with measurement errors.

Next time I make butter chicken I'll look for a different recipe.

My pressure cooker is no longer sitting on my kitchen breakfast bar. I have been going crazy with appliance clutter in my small kitchen, so I've been cleaning out my spare bedroom, and washing and dusting everything.  The room doubles as my cats room too, including litter box, so the litter dust was out of control.  I've washed all of my infrequently used small appliances and put them into black trash bags to keep them clean between uses.  I moved my pressure canner there to free up some counter space since I wasn't using it daily like I had been previously.
 

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I finally got around to trying that butter chicken recipe from the pressure cooker booklet.  It wasn't very good. I don't think they really took the time to go over the recipes in the book to check for errors. It isn't the first recipe that I found in there that was filled with measurement errors.


Next time I make butter chicken I'll look for a different recipe.


My pressure cooker is no longer sitting on my kitchen breakfast bar. I have been going crazy with appliance clutter in my small kitchen, so I've been cleaning out my spare bedroom, and washing and dusting everything.  The room doubles as my cats room too, including litter box, so the litter dust was out of control.  I've washed all of my infrequently used small appliances and put them into black trash bags to keep them clean between uses.  I moved my pressure canner there to free up some counter space since I wasn't using it daily like I had been previously.
I had to laugh. How long ago was it that I asked? A year? Thank you very much for remembering and it's a shame it didn't work out. Good for you to do all that cleaning and sweeping.
 

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I'm truly thankful for our basement. Much of my kitchen stuff is downstairs. I'm using an old entertainment center for storage. Rick built a closet in under our steps with shelves (we have a bi-level) and I use that for canned foods and some kitchen items that I don't use often (the ice cream maker, the glass pitcher with spigots that we use for picnics and holidays, stuff like that). Much of my baking equipment is in the entertainment center in the basement. Rick filled in a corner next to the freezer with shelves for all the Winterberry stuff. If it wouldn't be for the basement, I'd be in some deep trouble, trying to figure out where things can be stored. It's stuff that I don't use every week, but that I do use. And even if I only use it once or twice a year (the food grinder for making cranberry relish for the holidays, for example, the food dehydrator for summer produce, or my canners), it's there for when I do need it. 

Our son says I probably have enough equipment for three kitchens. But throughout the year, it does all get used at one time or another. And whenever somebody wants something, I probably have it. Somewhere.
 

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Judy, you need to check out our recipe thread for slow cookers:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/238187/crock-pot-slow-cooker 

Unfortunately, I can't tell you where you can store it! I keep mine in the cabinet at the top of the fridge. But then when I need one, I have to get up on a chair to get it out of the cabinet. Usually Rick will get it for me. I don't keep them in the basement because I use them too often.
 

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@Winchester
You are so lucky. I bought a slow cooker today, which I have no idea how to use, and nowhere to put it.
You are going to LOVE it. I adore mine. It's the second one I've had. I had the first one for about 20 years and then the lid broke. I used tinfoil instead because I didn't want to part with an old friend. DH made me. 
  I got a new, bigger one but still miss my old one. Definitely check out the thread that @Winchester  gave you. Another great site is http://allrecipes.com/   

I make soups, stews, pot roast, homemade pasta sauce and more in mine. They are also great for keeping things warm when you need to use the oven or stovetop for something else. I bought a baker's rack that I keep mine on along with my microwave. it's this one  
You can probably find a smaller one that would hold just the slow cooker though if that's only what you need it for. my DD has a slow cooker that I bought her in her dorm room. I'm trying to get her to make friends with it. 
 

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You are going to LOVE it. I adore mine. It's the second one I've had. I had the first one for about 20 years and then the lid broke. I used tinfoil instead because I didn't want to part with an old friend. DH made me. :sigh:   I got a new, bigger one but still miss my old one. Definitely check out the thread that @Winchester
 gave you. Another great site is http://allrecipes.com/  

I make soups, stews, pot roast, homemade pasta sauce and more in mine. They are also great for keeping things warm when you need to use the oven or stovetop for something else. I bought a baker's rack that I keep mine on along with my microwave. it's this one  http://www.amazon.com/Whitmor-6054-268-Supreme-Bakers-Chrome/dp/B0014QS1XC/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1442932870&sr=1-3&keywords=baker%27s+rack

You can probably find a smaller one that would hold just the slow cooker though if that's only what you need it for. my DD has a slow cooker that I bought her in her dorm room. I'm trying to get her to make friends with it. 
I am scared to use it. I'll look at all recipes thank you.
Where did Winchester send me links?
I'll probably be back to you for help one day. My main problem is wheretto put it. .
 

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I am scared to use it. I'll look at all recipes thank you.
Where did Winchester send me links?
I'll probably be back to you for help one day. My main problem is wheretto put it. .
Check her post right above my last one. There is a thread on this site for slow cooker recipes. I need to check it out too. 


I make salt free chicken broth for the cats in mine and it comes out so good. I just put a whole chicken in it with filtered water and then add a package of chicken hearts and gizzards. I let that cook on low for about 24 hours then let the chicken cool enough so I can work with it. I remove all the meat, heart and gizzards and chop them up and portion that out into small freezer bags and then discard all the bones. The broth that I get from it is fantastic. It's a rich, dark yellow. I freeze that in small containers and use the chicken as a topper for some of  their meals.  I use the warm broth  to entice them to eat when they are being fussy but it's also great for cooking (soups, gravies, etc) if you want. 
 

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Judy, you need to check out our recipe thread for slow cookers:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/238187/crock-pot-slow-cooker 

Unfortunately, I can't tell you where you can store it! I keep mine in the cabinet at the top of the fridge. But then when I need one, I have to get up on a chair to get it out of the cabinet. Usually Rick will get it for me. I don't keep them in the basement because I use them too often.
Thank you Pam. Unfortunately I can't use most of the recipes. I don't eat pork and I can't get those lovely tinned soups you have. I'll have to go on Internet and look but thank you.
 

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Thank you Pam. Unfortunately I can't use most of the recipes. I don't eat pork and I can't get those lovely tinned soups you have. I'll have to go on Internet and look but thank you.
I bet Pam's recipe for cranberry roast pork would be just as good with turkey or chicken 
 
 

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I bet Pam's recipe for cranberry roast pork would be just as good with turkey or chicken :think:  
Lol. I don't think I can get cranberries here. We don't really get berries. Strawberries and cherries.
 

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Judy, I googled....can you get lingonberries? They're supposedly a good substitute for cranberries. And pulled chicken is also quite good; I've made pulled chicken before and we like it.
 

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Judy, I googled....can you get lingonberries? They're supposedly a good substitute for cranberries. And pulled chicken is also quite good; I've made pulled chicken before and we like it.
No to loganberries but we do get some frozen berries. What does pulled chicken mean? And would I use a whole chicken or parts and I've got to get up the nerve to use it. Thank you pam though. I was going to come to you for recipes in any case. I was in the shop, looking at this 6.5 litre thing, thinking pam will help me.
 

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Pulled chicken is essentially chicken that was thoroughly cooked and then completely shredded. Usually it's pretty much fall-off-the-bone tender and you simply take the meat and, using two forks or even your hands, shred it, Pork is often shredded, thrown into a good BBQ sauce and then put into sandwiches. I do it with beef (there's a recipe in the Recipe Exchange for Shredded BBQ Beef that is so good and it's done in the oven). And I've done it with chicken, too.

You could use a whole chicken (about 4 pounds or so) in your slow cooker. If you have about 4 pounds of chicken pieces, that will work, too. Add about 2 cups of chicken broth or 1 cup white wine and 1 cup water and whatever seasonings you want (pepper, cumin, etc, whatever you have on hand). I'd start out on HIGH for about 30 minutes to an hour or so, then switch over to LOW for about 5-6 hours. I will say that the newer slow cookers seem to cook much faster than the older ones. Keep it covered at all times; every time you remove the lid, the temp drops and then it takes a while for it to come back up again. You'll know when it's done; it will come away from the bone and probably fall apart when you take it out of the slow cooker. Let it rest for about ten minutes or so, then....using the two forks or your hands, just start pulling the meat apart. It should shred easily for you.

Add about 2 cups of whatever sauce you're using (and if you don't want to make your own BBQ sauce and if you can find a good bottled or canned BBQ sauce where you live, that will work, too. Use the whole bottle or can of sauce; don't skimp; I'm thinking you'll need about two cups or so. Add more if you need more.). Throw the shredded chicken with the sauce back into the slow cooker for about 30 minutes or so, just long enough to get it all warmed back up. 

Get rid of the skin and fat or use it with the bones for a good broth, which you can also do in your slow cooker. I think you and I have talked about stewing chicken and making broth.

Throw the meat into some sandwich buns and have at it.

I usually serve a creamy cole slaw with shredded anything. Some people like to top their shredded meat with the coleslaw; others prefer it on the side. 

If you feel like making your own BBQ sauce, here's the recipe for the one with the pulled pork. Even if you don't eat pork, you could still use that sauce. Recipe is also found in the Recipe Exchange: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/238187/crock-pot-slow-cooker#post_3182832

Homemade BBQ Sauce:

2-1/2 cups ketchup
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 Tbsp. bottled Pickapeppa Sauce or Worcestershire sauce (omit if you don't have it where you live)
3 Tbsp. cider vinegar (regular vinegar will work fine)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Use immediately or let it cool. Chill up to 3 days. Makes 3-1/2 cups of sauce.
 
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