TigerChef

While many think of a pressure cooker as an anachronistic tool grandmothers used—and sometimes misused—the new reality is that pressure cookers are in vogue again. Some of the newfound popularity has surely been stirred by seeing television chefs using pressure cookers to speed up their cooking. They have found their way into the professional kitchen as an adjunct to standard pots and pans. These pots deserve another look, as they have arisen as a dynamic product offering.

One Iron Chef cook, Ming Tsai, said in a recent interview, “My newest favorite toy for braising is a pressure cooker….If my eyes were closed and someone gave me pressure-cooked duck legs and then something that had been braised for three hours, it would be really hard to tell the difference.” High praise for this steamy pot!

The Joys of Pressure Cooker Cooking

While there are many reasons to consider adding a pressure cooker to the professional kitchen arsenal, speed is at the top of the list. Food cooks in about a third of the usual time. Meat cooks in 20 minutes or less, and vegetables take a literal few minutes. The locking cover creates 15 pounds of pressure, and this raises the temperature in the water to 257 degrees (higher than the usual boiling point of water at 212 degrees). This higher temperature is why the food cooks faster.

Pressure cookers save energy because the heat does not disperse through the kitchen. The moist environment of the pot and the high cooking temperature also make it conducive to using lower cost cuts of meat. They will be tender and mouthwatering because the high pressure of the steam forces heat into the food, softening tough meats. Another bonus is that bacteria are killed off in this high temperature environment, helping keep food safe and also protecting nutrients.

A Good Choice for the Professional Kitchen

A great pressure cooker for institutional use is the Stanton Trading 1422 Stainless Steel 22 Qt. Pressure Cooker.With its sturdy aluminum construction and locking handles, this pot will be a new staple in the professional kitchen. It is the perfect way to cook vegetables, lobster, meat, and rice. Your patrons will appreciate the savings in time, as well as the great texture and flavor of the foods.

Filed under: Top Picks • How-To • General

Tags: cooking, pressure cooker, pressure cookers, professional kitchen