Health Benefits of Pressure Cooking

Health Benefits of Pressure Cooking

Do you remember the days when your mom used a pressure cooker to prepare yummy, delicious foods and meals? Perhaps you’ve thought those days are gone, or you thought pressure cookers were only for beans. Well, with today’s modern pressure cookers, your family can enjoy succulent, delicious and nutritious meals in a fraction of the time it would take to boil, bake or slow cook your favorite recipes.

Because pressure cooking uses the steam from the liquids used in your favorite recipes, the vitamins and nutrients are preserved in the food instead of being “cooked out” as they are in traditional boiling, baking or microwaving. And because pressure cooking reduces the amount of cooking time by up to 10 times, pressure cooking is a lot healthier than running out to a fast food joint.

Another way using a pressure cooker to cook our meals is healthier is because the ingredients used are fresh, whole, natural foods, not processed or packaged foods. Not only is using natural foods for all your meals, opposed to processed or packaged, healthier it also saves you money on your grocery bills every month. When you get in the habit of eating natural foods you’ll find you often have more energy, less weight gain, lower sodium and lower cholesterol levels as well. And because you can choose what goes in your pressure cooker you have more control over the amount of salt and other ingredients you are digesting.

Using recipes that are low in fat, salt and carbohydrates are easy to do in a pressure cooker, and they come out tasting delicious, even more delicious than if you baked, boiled or microwave them. Not to mention you will tend to make more vegetables when you use a pressure cooker because it is easy, efficient and pressure cooking makes your vegetable, frozen or raw, come out succulent and melt in your mouth. You may find that you prefer your vegetables without butter or salt once you start cooking them in a pressure cooker! Think of all the health benefits in that alone.

An added health benefit to using a pressure cooking is to make some of your favorite desserts in a pressure cooker. That’s right! You can use your pressure cooker to make desserts like homemade applesauce, cheesecake, pumpkin pie, and cinnamon and apple flan w/ maple syrup. You can choose the ingredients that go into your dessert to make them more nutritious for you and your family.

You Can Even Make Dessert with a Pressure Cooker

You Can Even Make Dessert with a Pressure Cooker

Preparing desserts has never been easier or less time consuming than with a pressure cooker! Not only are they easy and take less time than they would if you baked them, pressure cooked desserts also taste better and are healthier. Here are some favorite dessert recipes you and your family will love.

Creamy Cheesecake with Fruit Glaze – Delicious and quick to put together!

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. butter

• 4 tbsp. bread crumbs

• 2-8 oz. pkgs. Cream cheese

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• 2 tsp. vanilla

• 2 tsp. grated lemon zest

• 2 tbsp. flour

• 6 tbsp. sour cream

• 2 eggs

• 2 egg yolks

• 2 cups water

Preparation:

Butter a 7 inch spring form mold or other baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and set aside. In a bowl, blend the cream cheese, sugar, cream, vanilla, lemon zest, flour and sour cream. Beat in the eggs and egg yolks and pour mixture into the baking dish.

Center the uncovered pan on a piece of 24” long aluminum foil. Cover the top of the pan with another piece of foil and pinch around the edges to seal. Create a handle by scrunching up the ends of the foil over the top of the pan. Set the trivet in the pressure cooker and pour in the water. Lower the foil covered pan into the pressure cooker and place on the trivet.

Lock the lid into place and bring to pressure. Lower the heat and cook for 30 minutes at 15psi. Remove from heat and release pressure using the natural release method.

Remove the pan from the pressure cooker using the foil handle. Loosen the foil and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. Before serving, arrange fruit topping or fruit preserves in thick layer over the cheesecake. If using a spring form pan, release and remove the rim of the spring form pan.

Rice Pudding – A favorite especially on those chilly fall or winter days!

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. butter

• 1/4 cup long grain rice

• 2 cups milk

• 1 cup water

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1 egg

• 1/4 cup evaporated milk

• 1/2 tsp. vanilla

• Cinnamon to taste

Preparation:

Melt the butter in the pressure cooker and add the rice coating it with butter. Pour in the fresh milk and water and then stir in the sugar and salt.

Lock the lid in place and bring to pressure. Lower heat and cook for 12 minutes at 15 psi. Release pressure using natural release method and remove lid.

In a small bowl, combine egg, evaporated milk and vanilla. Stir in a little of the hot liquid from the pressure cooker then add the mixture to the pressure cooker. Cook uncovered over medium heat with a wooden spoon, stirring constantly until the rice pudding begins to barely bubble. Immediately remove from heat and allow to cool 10 minutes while stirring occasionally.

Transfer to individual dessert bowls, and refrigerate to continue cooling. Sprinkle with cinnamon when serving.

Makes 4 servings

Cooking Beans and Lentils in Your Pressure Cooker

Cooking Beans and Lentils in Your Pressure Cooker

Pressure cooked dry beans and lentils are so much better than canned beans. Here’s why: dry beans cost much less than canned beans; dry beans taste better than canned beans and contain no preservatives; dry beans are healthier than canned beans and more environmentally safe because they don’t require any metal packaging or salt water and preservatives that canned beans are soaked in; and using a new generation pressure cooker is the fastest way to cook beans and rice.

Here are a couple of recipes for you to enjoy using your pressure cooker

Hummus – Healthy, environmentally safe and delicious!

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup dried chickpeas

• 1/3 cup Canola oil

• 1/3 cup EVOO

• 1/3 cup tahini

• 1/3 cup water

• 4 tbsp. lemon juice

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/2 tsp. cumin

• Salt to taste

Preparation:

Soak chickpeas for at least 4 hours. You can put them in water before you head for work to prepare in the evening. Dispose soaking water and rinse. Place chickpeas in pressure cooker with 3-1/2 cups water. Lock the lid and bring to pressure, then lower heat and cook for 9 to 14 minutes on high (15psi). Use natural release method to allow pressure to drop. Blend cooked chickpeas and all other ingredients until creamy.

Makes 4 servings

Old Fashioned Baked Beans – Perfect for a family barbeque or Thanksgiving Dinner!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dry navy beans (aka white beans)

• 3 tbsp. Canola oil

• 1 large onion diced

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1-3/4 cups water

• 1 can (2 fl. Oz) tomato paste

• 3 tbsp. brown sugar

• 2 tbsp. molasses

• 1/2 tsp. prepared mustard

• 1/4 tsp. cumin

• 1/8 tsp. chili powder

Preparation:

Rinse and soak navy beans for at least 8 hours. Drain and rinse the beans. Add all ingredients except the beans to the pressure cooker and stir thoroughly. Then add the beans. Bring to a boil, then stir and lock the lid in place and bring to pressure. Lower heat and cook for 40 minutes at 15 psi. Release pressure using the quick release method or auto release and remove lid.

Makes 4 servings.

As you can see, making your family favorites is quick and easy using a new generation pressure cooker! Now you can have low-cost, healthy meals in the fraction of the time it would take you to bake, boil or use a slow cooker!

10 Foods That Fight Stress

10 Foods That Fight Stress

It’s easy to forget the importance of everything we put into our bodies. While you can’t always eat a completely balanced diet, you can reduce your stress levels simply by choosing stress-fighting foods.

Since everyone is different, some stress-relieving foods might work for you while others may not. Your best bet will be to try them all and then incorporate the ones that work for you into your regular diet.

Here are some foods that can help alleviate your stress:

1. Green Leafy Vegetables. Leafy greens contain a lot of magnesium. Magnesium is an important mineral that has the power to relax muscles.

2. Fish Oil. Fish oil contains essential fatty acids that help with serotonin uptake in the brain. Serotonin makes you feel good mentally and enables your brain to better cope with stress. You can get your fish oil from certain kinds of fish, such as salmon, or from supplements.

3. Milk. There is a reason that milk is sometimes referred to as a “wind down” food. The proteins in milk can help reduce anxiety while the calcium is another mineral that can help with muscle relaxation.

4. Chocolate. A small piece of dark chocolate each day can actually provide you with many health benefits. Chocolate has a stimulating effect. The caffeine also helps to increase serotonin. It’s okay to indulge in chocolate in small amounts!

5. Red Wine. Many experts believe that a glass of red wine each day provides health benefits. The only drawback is that it’s easy to overdo it when drinking alcoholic beverages. Wine is packed with beneficial antioxidants and can temporarily lower blood pressure and help you relax.

6. Oatmeal. Oatmeal and other carbohydrates also help increase serotonin levels in the brain. In fact, your brain needs carbohydrates in order to function normally. This is why it’s essential to include good carbohydrates like oatmeal in your regular diet.

7. Lean Meats. Lean meats can help you combat stress by providing a good source of protein. Turkey, eggs, chicken and fish are all good choices because they contain necessary amino acids for healthy brain function. Remember not to eat fatty meats because the fat can interfere with proper digestion of the amino acids.

8. Coffee. Yes, caffeine is a stimulant and there is also a risk of developing an unhealthy habit. However, moderation is the key. Coffee can help stimulate the brain into working with more energy and efficiency, helping you feel more motivated and less stressed.

9. Nuts. Nuts help you maintain your proper blood sugar. They also contain plenty of the vitamin B complex, which combats fatigue.

10. Spinach. Spinach is one of the world’s super foods. It contains many vitamins, antioxidants and omega 3′s. This means it would be hard to eat spinach and not feel good!

Vitamins & Supplements

Of course, it’s always best to get your nutrients from the natural source. If this isn’t possible, or if you can’t stomach a certain food, it’s best to look for vitamin supplements so you can still derive some benefits from it.

Vitamin supplements help your body get the nutrients it might be missing. Once you start consuming these necessary nutrients, you’ll be on your way to feeling healthier and stress-free.

3 Pressure Cooker Beef Recipes

3 Pressure Cooker Beef Recipes

Pressure Cookers aren’t just for beans! Using a pressure cooker saves time and money over baking in the oven or using a crock pot. In addition to that the meat is juicier and much tenderer. Below are some quick and easy recipes you can use with beef. The recipes times are based using a 15psi pressure cooker. For a lower psi pressure cooker, add 12% to 15% more time.

Old Fashioned Meat Loaf – Prepare the meat in the morning and chill to firm for a nice evening supper.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 lb. chopped or ground beef

• 1 tsp. salt

• Ground black pepper

• 2 slices bread, soaked in water and squeezed dry

• 2 tbsp. parsley

• 1 med. Onion, minced

• 1 Garlic Clove

• 1 Egg

• 2 tbsp. Chicken Stock

• 2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

• 2 tbsp. Olive Oil

• 1 cup Tomato Sauce

• 1 cup Water

Preparation:

In a bowl, combine the meat, salt, pepper, bread, parsley, onion, garlic, egg, chicken stock and Worcestershire sauce. Shape into two small loaves. Wrap each in wax paper and chill several hours to firm.

When ready to commence cooking, heat the oil in the pressure cooker and brown the loaves well on all sides. Transfer to the cooker basket. Discard the oil and combine the tomato sauce and water and season with salt and pepper and spread over the loaves. Lower the basket into the pressure cooker, lock lid and bring to pressure. Lower heat and cook for 15 minutes on high pressure (15psi). Allow pressure to drop by quick release method or automatic release method, slice and serve.

Serves 4

Beef Stroganoff – A family favorite, serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 lb beef stew meat or round steak cut into 1” cubes

• 3 tbsp. vegetable oil

• 2 tbsp. flour

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1 tsp. garlic

• 1 cup beef broth

• 1/4 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced

• 2 tbsp. tomato paste

• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

• 1 cup sour cream

• Salt and Pepper to taste

• 1 pkg. egg noodles cooked

Preparation:

Brown meat in pressure cooker. Add flour and mix well. Stir in onion, garlic, beef broth, mushrooms, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, blend thoroughly.

Lock the lid and bring to pressure. Lower heat and cook for 25 minutes on high pressure (15psi). Allow pressure to drop by the natural release method and remove lid. Stir in sour cream and blend well. Serve over hot egg noodles, or you can stir the cooked noodles into the meat mixture.

Pot Roast – A quick and easy recipe family favorite that serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp. Canola oil

• 1.5 lb. pot roast

• Salt and pepper

• 1 chopped onion

• 1 bay leaf

• 1-1/2 cups water or beef stock

Preparation:

Place canola oil and roast in pressure cooker and brown on all sides. Place roast on trivet in cooker. Season roast with salt and pepper, then add chopped onion, bay leaf and water or broth.

Lock the lid in place and bring cooker to pressure. Lower heat and cook for 35 minutes at 15psi.