From Dal To Desserts: Surprising Dishes You Can Make in a Pressure Cooker

Every Indian household is more or less accustomed to the sound of the pressure cooker whistle going off. Pressure cookers have been an integral part of our household kitchens for decades now. For people who live alone, work or have a lot of responsibilities, the pressure cooker is a godsend, considering how efficient it is at saving those precious gas and electricity bills. Here are some easy and quick pressure cooker recipes you can try.

Whether a novice or a pro, the first cooking equipment every Indian buys while stocking up a kitchen is a pressure cooker. Yes, we love our woks or kadhais, our non-stick pans and even those fancy grill pans that leave a pretty char mark on our grilled food. But no Indian kitchen is ever short of pressure cookers and you will find that most have more than just one. The reason behind this is quite simple. Pressure cookers do to food you put in them the same thing that hours of cooking in a wok or pot does. In fact, there isn’t a better kitchen tool for those who love cooking quick meals, Indian or otherwise, other than a pressure cooker. 

Add the right amount of ingredients and everything from veggies and dal to the toughest of meats get perfectly cooked in a pressure cooker. And isn’t that just what you need on a busy weekday when you are tired after a day’s work and looking forward to the quickest possible meal with great flavours? Yes, it is, especially if you like to eat Indian meals. This is also because Indian recipes, even the most elaborate ones, can be perfectly and quickly cooked in a pressure cooker. 

Chicken Biryani 

Chicken biryani is a flavorful and satisfying dish enjoyed all over the world and is a staple of Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi cuisine. It is often served at special occasions such as weddings, festivals, and other celebrations, but it can also be enjoyed as a delicious and hearty meal at home. Close the lid of the pressure cooker and cook on high heat until you hear the first whistle. Reduce the heat to low and cook for another 5-7 minutes. This step ensures that the rice and chicken are cooked evenly and thoroughly. Turn off the heat and allow the pressure to release naturally. Once the pressure is released, open the lid of the pressure cooker and gently fluff the rice with a fork. Make sure to mix the chicken and rice well so that the spices are evenly distributed.

Pasta

Pasta is an Italian dish of which everyone has their own version. In India, we try to assimilate our style of cooking into every food that we encounter from around the world. Pasta is also one such dish that everyone in Indian households cooks differently. Pressure cooker is the best friend of students and working professionals who have very less time on their hands to cook a meal. Cookers are genuinely useful in making one-pot meals that are quick, easy and more often than not, delicious. You can make fuss-free pasta in a pressure cooker of various recipes that you can cook even if you are running short on time and have very basic ingredients lying in your kitchen.

Gajar Ka Halwa

The dessert has a traditional charm attached to itself which has pleased every generation and every sugar lover in the country. Indian sweets are enjoyed throughout the year, but we have certain age-old recipes that are either seasonal or cooked during certain festivities, and this winter specialty is loved by one and all. It is not only a time-consuming way as it takes between 1 – 2 hours to cook, but it also requires constant stirring, which can be a daunting task for many. In this blog, we will ensure we replicate the dish in a pressure cooker and still provide the taste and aroma to stay the same, and the experience is not compromised.  

Toor Dal Khichdi

Rice and lentils are cooked together in a dish called khichdi. The types of lentils chosen range from toor, chana, moong, and masoor. Toor dal khichdi with vegetables is a filling and hearty one-pot dish. Using a pressure cooker rather than a non-stick pan saves all the time. Keeping the flame on high, let it give one whistle. Then lower the flame and cook for another couple of minutes. Turn off the flame. Let the pressure release naturally. It might take 15 minutes.  Open the lid and check the salt and liquid consistency and adjust accordingly. Serve with a dollop of ghee and curd and papad.

Soya Pulao

The easiest one-pot meal in Indian cuisine, you can in fact prepare any pulao you choose to using a pressure cooker. We suggest a soya pulao because it is certainly more filling, nutritious and the perfect option for all, even vegans. To make Soya Pulao, just heat ghee in a cooker, add whole spices, and plenty of veggies like peas and carrots along with soya chunks. Saute these with powdered spices for a while, then add rice, water and cook for one whistle. 

Dalcha

The simple reason why this Hyderabadi favourite called dalcha is perfect for pressure cooker meals is because it is usually cooked with a combination of lentils like chana dal and toor dal along with vegetables and meat to create a spicy one-pot meal. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan or non-vegetarian, you can easily enjoy Dalcha made with vegetables or meat, based on your preference. Don’t forget to add plenty of ghee and spices from Hyderabad though.  

Dal Makhani

Can one possibly make a dal makhani in a pressure cooker in a short time without taxing oneself of kadais and pans? The answer is yes, if you are strategic about it. First, fry the whole spices, onions and rajma together, add water and cook for two whistles. Open up and add kali dal, cook for two more whistles, and then continue cooking with more spices, butter, cream and everything else you want until you have the perfect consistency.