Alright, alright, let’s talk about these here pressure cookers, eh? My young’uns got me one, shiny thing, looks like a spaceship or somethin’. Said it’s for makin’ food fast. Fast, my foot! Still gotta chop them onions, don’t ya? But I’ll tell ya what, it do cook things up real good, real tender, and that’s a fact.
So, you want quick and easy pressure cooker recipes? Well, I ain’t got no fancy names for ’em, just good eatin’. We’ll start with somethin’ simple, like chicken. Everyone likes chicken, right?
Easy Peasy Pressure Cooker Chicken
You get yourself some chicken pieces, whatever you like, legs, thighs, breasts, don’t matter none. Wash ’em good, mind you. Then you chop up an onion, big chunks are fine, we ain’t fancy here. A couple carrots, too, if you got ’em. And garlic, lots of garlic, keeps the devil away, they say. Toss it all in the pot with the chicken.
Now, for flavorin’, I use whatever I got. A bit of salt, some pepper, maybe some paprika if I’m feelin’ spicy. A cup of water or broth, chicken broth is best, but water works just fine in a pinch. Close that lid tight, make sure it’s sealed good, and set that timer. How long? Depends on the chicken, I guess. Twenty minutes for small pieces, maybe thirty for bigger ones. Let it sit for a bit after it’s done, then open her up. Careful, that steam is hot! And there you go, chicken that falls right off the bone. You can eat it like that, or shred it up for sandwiches. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy, like them young’uns say.
- Chicken pieces
- Onion, chopped
- Carrots, chopped (optional)
- Garlic, minced
- Salt, pepper, paprika (or your favorite spices)
- 1 cup water or chicken broth
Another thing I make in that there pressure cooker is what I call “mush.” It ain’t pretty, but it fills your belly and warms you up good on a cold day. It’s kinda like that… harissa thing my neighbor was talkin’ about, only I make it my way.
Hearty “Mush” (Wheat and Meat Porridge)
You need some wheat berries, the kind they use for horse feed, but we eat ’em too. Soak ’em overnight, makes ’em cook faster. Then you get some meat, any kind will do. I usually use ground beef, ’cause it’s cheap, but you can use chicken, pork, or even leftover roast. Brown the meat in the pressure cooker, then throw in the soaked wheat, some chopped onions and garlic, and plenty of water. And salt, don’t forget the salt! You can add other spices too, whatever you like. Cumin is good, gives it a warm flavor.
Close the lid, set the timer, and let it cook. This one takes a while, maybe forty-five minutes, even an hour. When it’s done, it’ll be thick and mushy, like porridge. That’s why I call it “mush.” It ain’t fancy, but it’s good for ya, sticks to your ribs, keeps you goin’ all day long.
- 1 cup wheat berries, soaked overnight
- 1 pound ground beef (or other meat)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, pepper, cumin (or your favorite spices)
- 4 cups water
Now, for somethin’ sweet, my grandkids love when I make apple sauce in that there pressure cooker. It’s so easy, even I can do it, and it tastes way better than that store-bought stuff.
Sweet and Simple Pressure Cooker Applesauce
You take a bunch of apples, any kind, don’t matter if they’re bruised or a little ugly. Wash ’em good, cut ’em up, core and all, just throw it all in the pot. Add a little bit of water, just enough to keep ’em from stickin’, maybe a quarter of a cup. And a cinnamon stick, if you got one, makes it smell real nice.
Close the lid, set the timer, and let it cook for about ten minutes. That’s it! When it’s done, let it cool down a bit, then mash it up with a fork or a potato masher. If you like it sweeter, you can add a little bit of sugar or honey, but I usually don’t bother. The apples are sweet enough on their own.
- Apples, cored and chopped
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
- Sugar or honey (optional)
So there you have it, three quick and easy pressure cooker recipes, straight from the heart. Ain’t nothin’ fancy, just good, honest food, made fast. Now go on, get cookin’!
Oh and I almost forgot, my daughter was yapping on about somethin’ called “2B Mindset Plate It” , said it’s about eatin’ healthy and whatnot. Said somethin’ about fillin’ your plate with the right amount of veggies, meat, and… “carbs” she called ‘em. Sounded like a bunch of hooey to me, but I guess it can’t hurt to throw some extra veggies in the pot with the chicken, or next to my mush, eh? And them workout programs? She’s got boxes full of them, somethin’ like P90x or 21 Day Fix or something. I told her, “Just diggin’ taters in the garden and chasin’ after chickens is exercise enough for me!” But hey, to each their own, I always say.
Now get off my lawn and let me get back to my cookin’!
Tags: pressure cooker recipes, easy recipes, quick meals, chicken recipes, wheat porridge, applesauce, healthy eating, home cooking, simple cooking, budget meals.