Get dinner on the table quickly without a lot of fuss and muss by using a

If you aren’t already part of the initiated who use a pressure cooker, you probably think pressure cookers are unsafe and are only for the pros.

Am I right? I thought so.

That’s because that’s what I thought before I decided to take up the challenge to use a pressure cooker as part of my regular cooking routine. I got acquainted with the idea of pressure cooking after reading a few specialty recipe books for various anti-inflammatory diets (that’s a subject for another post). I started following some Facebook groups devoted to pressure cooking and even downloaded a couple of cookbooks exclusively filled with pressure cooker recipes before jumping in.

A point of clarification about pressure cooking is needed. Mainly, the pressure cookers of today are nothing like the ones your grandmother used and about which she filled you full of horror stories about the red sauce on the ceiling. Today’s cookers are third-generation cookers and include enhanced safety and programmable features that make them not only super easy to use but completely safe when used in coordination with the directions. Third-generation cookers are electric plug-in devices that look very similar to a crockpot–but instead of taking all day to cook a meal, can cook one in as little as ten minutes!

These cookers are fitted with a microprocessor to control for accurate pressure and temperature readings from pressure and temperature sensors are just about magical, as far as I am concerned.

The beauty of pressure cooking is that it’s possible to make a wholesome meal in the evenings without spending three hours in the kitchen. For example, if you wanted to make a whole chicken, instead of the normal rule of thirty minutes per pound, it would be possible to cook by pressure cooking in 15-25 minutes depending on the size. Cook soaked black beans in ten minutes flat. Make lentil soup in 15 minutes and rice in only four (FOUR!) minutes. If you can use a microwave, then you can use a third-generation pressure cooker.

Here are a few pressure cooker recipes to get you started.

Pressure Cooker Recipes for Beginners

1. Fall Off the Bone Whole Chicken

2. Black Bean Soup

3. Chicken Noodle Soup

4. Colombian Vegetable Soup

5. Indian Butter Chicken

6. Thai Red Curry

7. Pork Carnitas

8. 10 Minute Lentil Soup

9. Chili Mac

I do highly recommend the 7-in-1 InstantPot, which is not only a pressure cooker but also functions as a slow cooker and can be used to saute foods before slow or pressure cooking. It can also be used as a rice cooker and to make homemade yogurt and more. If you are going to add another appliance to your kitchen, this is the one to add.

Pressure cookers are great for both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. The one downside  is that it is yet another appliance cluttering up the kitchen and they are somewhat pricey–most are on the other side of $100. In my experience, though, it’s money well spent. Look at it this way, if you can cook dinner in 15 minutes there is no excuse for ordering take-out!

Related on EcoSalon

So, You Want to Be a Vegetarian: 9 Things to Know
Enamelware Then & Now…Not Your Grandmother’s Dishes
Cast Iron Reasons to Go Back to Basics

Korean Style Beef Tacos Image from SkinnyTaste

The post Pressure Cooker Cooking is About to Change Your Life appeared first on EcoSalon.

How to kick off your meal in 20 different ways, with links to pronunciation.

بالهنا و الشفاء (bil hana wish shifa’) – Arabic (Egyptian)

食飯 (sihk faahn) – Cantonese

Bon profit! – Catalan

Dobar tek! – Croatian

Smakelijk eten! – Dutch

Hyvää ruokahalua! – Finnish

Bon appétit! – French

Guten appetit! – German

Καλή όρεξη! (kalí óreksi) – Greek

בתיאבון (b’tayavon) – Hebrew

Jó étvágyat! – Hungarian

Buon appetito! – Italian

잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokkesseumnida) – Korean

Gero apetito! – Lithuanian

Пријатно јадење (priyatno yadenye) – Macedonian

Сайхан хооллоорой (saihan hoollooroi) – Mongolian

Приятного аппетита! (prijatnovo appetita) – Russian

¡Buen provecho! – Spanish

ขอให้เจริญอาหาร! (kŏr hâi jà-rern aa-hăan!) – Thai

Afiyet olsun! – Turkish

ALSO CHECK OUT:

How to Say ‘I Love You’ in 30 Different Languages

How to Say ‘I’m Vegetarian’ in 10 Different Languages

How to Say ‘Not All Who Wander Are Lost’ in 10 Different Languages

How to Say ‘How Much Does It Cost?’ in 10 Different Languages

How to Say ‘Is It Organic?’ in 10 Different Languages

How to Say ‘What Is Your Name?’ in 20 Different Languages

How to Say ‘Would You Like to Dance?’ in 20 Different Languages

Images: Robin, Shahoo.

The post How to Say ‘Bon Appetit!’ in 20 Different Languages appeared first on EcoSalon.

Misconceptions about tofu, the taste of vegan anything and a serving of Quorn nuggets are just a few of the reasons a lot of people aren’t eager to go veg. I’ll admit, I had my doubts the first time a vegan friend offered me a spoonful of her tofu soup. But, all it took was one bite to discover that a delicious meal is all in the recipe. Here are some simple dishes to ease even the toughest skeptics into more eco-friendly eating habits. They’re so easy to make, and so yummy, you’ll find yourself making them again and again. At least I have!

Chickpea Curry

Who doesn’t love chickpeas? This quintessential Indian recipe packs a zesty punch of flavor and is easy to prepare. As long as your spice rack is stocked, the ingredients in chickpea curry will cost you less than five bucks at the grocery store.

Tofu Scramble

Although this meal may sound like something you’d avoid ordering, tofu scramble puts your typical breakfast of eggs and buttered toast to shame. Plus, the recipe is quick and simple.

Vegetarian Chili

Some people think chili just isn’t chili without the meat, but they obviously haven’t tried this delicious vegetarian recipe. Even amateur cooks can handle this easy dish, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Experiment a little and toss in some black beans or chickpeas to make it your own.

Seitan Fajitas

You meat lovers must be wondering if tofu is the only vegetarian alternative, so try some seitan. This fabulous fajita recipe substitutes wheat meat for the real stuff, yielding a unique and tasty meal that won’t keep you in the kitchen all day long.

Spicy Sichuan Eggplant

If eggplant isn’t one of your diet staples, it’s time to consider mixing it up a bit. You can use this versatile vegetable an assortment of delectable dishes, my personal favorite being this amazing recipe for spicy Sichuan eggplant.

Nut Loaf

I grew up on meat loaf, so it was hard to imagine a vegan alternative that could live up to this traditionally delicious dinner. That is, until I made my first nut loaf. If cashews and almonds are among your favorite snacks, this recipe is for you.

Vegan Paella

Substitute cashews for seafood, and you’ve got a vegan version of this classic Spanish meal that is simply mouth-watering.

Mushroom Tofu Stew

You don’t need potatoes and meat to make a good stew. Considering I like to add mushrooms to pretty much any dish, I might be biased, but mushroom tofu stew reinvents this basic recipe with a vegetarian twist.

Avocado Grapefruit Salad

Sick of eating the same old salads? This great recipe combines avocados and grapefruits, two flavors that deliciously complement each other to invigorate your bored taste buds.

Oatmeal Yogurt Pancakes

Ever since a friend made me oatmeal yogurt pancakes, I’ve replicated this scrumptious meal every Sunday morning for breakfast. I’ve always loved pancakes, but this recipe is truly in a league of its own.

Note: shown at top, the classic pizza margherita.

Images: sergeant killjoy, dichohecho, amy_b, arvindgrover, meganchromik, specialkrb, cookfood.net, ptc24, SMercury98, sunpath, Crystl

The post 10 Easy, Tasty Vegetarian Meals You’ll Make Again and Again appeared first on EcoSalon.