Pressure Cooker Uses Beyond Cooking Rice and Dal

A pressure cooker is often associated with cooking rice and dal quickly, but its versatility goes far beyond these staples. This kitchen essential can be used for a variety of cooking techniques, making meal preparation faster, healthier, and more convenient. From steaming to baking, a pressure cooker can be your go-to appliance for a wide range of dishes.

Here are some surprising and creative ways to use a pressure cooker beyond rice and dal.

Steaming Vegetables and Snacks

A pressure cooker is an excellent tool for steaming vegetables, retaining their nutrients, color, and texture. Instead of boiling them in excess water, which can drain away nutrients, steaming preserves their goodness.

Dishes to Try:

• Steamed broccoli, carrots, and beans

• Idlis (soft, fluffy South Indian rice cakes)

• Dhokla (a savory, spongy Gujarati snack)

• Momos and dumplings

Simply place a steaming rack or perforated plate inside the cooker, add water, and let the steam do the work!

Making Soups and Broths

A pressure cooker speeds up the process of making rich and flavorful soups and broths. It extracts deep flavors from ingredients in a fraction of the time compared to traditional simmering.

Dishes to Try:

• Chicken or vegetable broth

• Lentil soup

• Tomato soup

• Bone broth for added nutrition

The high pressure helps release flavors from bones and vegetables, making your soups taste restaurant-quality.

Cooking Beans and Legumes Faster

Soaking and cooking beans like rajma (kidney beans) or chana (chickpeas) can take hours using regular methods. A pressure cooker significantly reduces cooking time while ensuring a soft, evenly cooked texture.

Dishes to Try:

• Rajma (kidney bean curry)

• Chole (spiced chickpea curry)

• Hummus preparation (pressure-cook chickpeas before blending)

• Baked beans for breakfast

Forget the overnight soaking—just pressure cook the beans directly and save time!

One-Pot Meals and Biryani

A pressure cooker is perfect for making delicious one-pot meals. It combines flavors beautifully while saving effort and cleanup time.

Dishes to Try:

• Vegetable or chicken biryani

• Pulao (flavored rice with vegetables or meat)

• Khichdi (a light, nutritious mix of rice and lentils)

• Pasta and risottos

These meals are great for busy days when you need something wholesome and filling with minimal effort.

Baking Cakes and Desserts

Did you know you can bake in a pressure cooker? It works just like an oven, creating moist and fluffy cakes, puddings, and even cookies!

Dishes to Try:

• Chocolate or vanilla sponge cake

• Steamed puddings

• Caramel custard

• Cheesecake

Simply place a stand or separator inside the cooker, remove the whistle, and cook on low heat to achieve perfectly baked results.

Making Soft and Juicy Meat Dishes

A pressure cooker is ideal for cooking tough cuts of meat quickly, breaking down fibers while keeping them tender and flavorful.

Dishes to Try:

• Mutton curry

• Chicken stew

• Beef or lamb stew

• Pulled pork

What would take hours in a regular pot gets done in minutes in a pressure cooker!

Preparing Baby Food Quickly

Making fresh, healthy baby food at home becomes easier with a pressure cooker. You can quickly cook and mash vegetables, fruits, and grains for a nutritious meal.

Dishes to Try:

• Pureed carrots, pumpkin, and potatoes

• Soft-cooked dal and rice mash

• Applesauce for a sweet treat

This ensures your baby gets homemade, preservative-free food without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Cooking Traditional Sweets and Desserts

Indian sweets often require long cooking times, but a pressure cooker can simplify the process while preserving authentic flavors.

Dishes to Try:

• Kheer (rice pudding)

• Gajar ka halwa (carrot pudding)

• Gulab jamun syrup preparation

• Seviyaan (vermicelli pudding)

A pressure cooker helps achieve the perfect consistency and flavor in less time.

Making Yogurt at Home

A pressure cooker can be used to create the perfect warm environment for setting yogurt. The insulated walls help maintain a consistent temperature for fermentation.

Steps:

1. Heat milk in the pressure cooker without the lid.

2. Let it cool to lukewarm temperature.

3. Add a small amount of yogurt culture and mix well.

4. Cover and leave it undisturbed for 6-8 hours to set.

Homemade yogurt is fresher, healthier, and free from preservatives.

Meyer Pre Seasoned Cast Iron shallow Kadai With Glass Lid ,20cm

Infusing Flavors into Pickles and Chutneys

The high-pressure steam in a cooker helps speed up the marination and infusion process, making your pickles and chutneys more flavorful in less time.

Dishes to Try:

• Achar (Indian pickles)

• Spicy tomato chutney

• Mango pickle with instant flavor infusion

The pressure cooker helps blend spices and oils deeply into the ingredients, enhancing the taste.

Conclusion

A pressure cooker is much more than just a tool for making rice and dal. It is a versatile kitchen companion that helps in cooking faster, preserving nutrients, and unlocking new culinary possibilities. Whether you want to steam, bake, stew, or create quick meals, a pressure cooker is a must-have for every kitchen. So, go beyond the usual and experiment with these creative uses to make the most of your pressure cooker!