I bought a Cuisinart electric pressure cooker (from Costco - great price) a couple weeks ago and I am now experimenting with it!
The first thing I did was make a batch of black beans and then I froze them in individual bags, those have come in handy! Since then I have made a couple roasts (the last one with whole potatoes), hummus from dried garbanzo beans, and tonight a pasta dish. The pasta dish had a high pressure cook time of 5 minutes, which means after it reaches the appropriate pressure/heat it starts the timer.
I love this new appliance because it has so many features. Here's what Cuisinart's website says, "Cuisinart updates a classic! Our brushed stainless pressure cooker is safe, easy to use, cooks up to 70% faster than conventional methods and cooks healthier, too. Steam trapped in the pot builds up pressure that creates hotter temperatures, and the pot is so tightly sealed that vitamins and minerals can't boil away. Foods stay moist and flavors stay true. Features variable pressure and temperature settings, plus Browning, Simmering and Sauté functions for perfect roasts, stews, vegetables, cheesecake or custard. The Cuisinart™ Pressure Cooker is absolutely safe, with a lid that has to be locked in place before pressure builds, and stays locked until pressure is released. Cook faster, eat healthier, with Cuisinart!
With the pasta dish, I added the hamburger (browned it) with onion and spices, dumped the dry noodles on top with extra water and the sauce ingredients and sealed the lid- that was it!
There are some great tutorials at the blog, Every Day Food Storage. They have made some great videos from the very basics (Introduction to Pressure Cooking Part 1 & 2) to pressure cooking rice, wheat berries, porcupine meatballs, and chicken. They have great tips, I highly recommend you learn from these great ladies. They also have made a great handout with tips. click here.
I was also introduced to this great pressure cooking cookbook, Pressure Perfect, by Lorna Sass (thank you, Andrea) that I have found at the library. I think I may need to purchase my own copy.
I am excited to try more recipes and to use my new gadget for summertime cooking. I can still have great meals without heating up my home.
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