Pressure Cooking 101: 3 Latinx Recipes to Spice Up Your Kitchen Skills

Technology has evolved so much in recent years that the tech hype is not only about the last phone with the best camera, but also about the devices that make our cooking (and, therefore, our lives) easier. 

Pressure cookers are one of those kitchen must-haves. Simple, versatile, and aesthetic, they’re a key instrument for those individuals and families who are looking for a delicious and time-efficient way to make many recipes.

And they have come a long way! Invented in the 17th century by the physicist Denis Papin, the first pressure cookers were known as “steam digesters” and, although effective, they were far from safe. That’s in the past, though, as the NASA made sure to change. Pressure cookers have been used in space exploration, since the high-pressure environment of space is similar to how pressure cookers work on Earth, making them suitable for cooking in zero-gravity conditions.

Nowadays, far away from space and in a different century, we can count on pressure cookers in our kitchens. They do not need the out-of-this-planet environment to be efficient and are as safe as they can be. Like the multiple safety valves and locking mechanisms which ensure the cooker cannot be opened until it’s safe to do so. 

But its history and versatility are not the only reasons why we really enjoy cooking on pressure cookers. They have numerous benefits and can make delicious dishes which are ideal for this time of the year. 

The Pros of Pressure Cooking: 5 Key Advantages You Should Know

Whether you are a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to streamline meal preparation, the pressure cooker has emerged as a kitchen hero worth celebrating. Moreover, it can offer a lot of benefits that will transform your cooking experience for the best—turning this device into an indispensable tool in modern kitchens. 

Here are 5 key advantages you should take into consideration:

• Time Efficiency: Pressure cookers significantly reduce cooking times by utilizing high-pressure steam to cook food quickly. Meals that typically take hours to prepare can be ready in a fraction of the time, which is especially useful for busy individuals and families.
• Energy Efficiency: They are energy-efficient because they require less cooking time and lower heat settings than traditional stovetop or oven cooking. This can lead to reduced energy consumption and lower utility bills.
• Preservation of Nutrients: It preserves more vitamins and minerals in food compared to other cooking methods like boiling or simmering. The sealed environment and shorter cooking times help retain the nutritional value of ingredients.
• Enhanced Flavor: The sealed environment of a pressure cooker traps flavors and aromas, resulting in more intense and flavorful dishes. It’s a great way to infuse flavors into meats and stews, producing rich and delicious meals.
• Tenderizes Tough Cuts of Meat: Pressure cooking is excellent for tenderizing tough cuts of meat. The high pressure and steam break down connective tissues and collagen, resulting in tender and succulent meat in a relatively short time.
• Versatility: Pressure cookers are versatile kitchen appliances that can be used for a wide range of cooking tasks, including soups, stews, roasts, rice, beans, desserts, and even yogurt-making in some models. This versatility makes them an invaluable addition to any kitchen.

And now that you know how crucial this technology is, let us share some Latinx recipes that will make a before and after experience in your cooking and palette.

3 Delicious Latin Recipes to Cook in Your Pressure Cooker

The benefits of having a pressure cooker are more than glorious, but when you add the possibility of making Latinx recipes… doesn’t a pressure cooker sound like a dream? Easy to use, energy and time efficient, AND MAKES LATINX RECIPES POSSIBLE?

It’s a win, win, win!!

If you are wondering about Latinx recipes, here are 3 must-knows that can’t go wrong, are delicious, and ideal to share with your friends and family during this season!

Pressure Cooker Arroz con Pollo (Chicken and Rice):

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs (900g) bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks
• 2 cups (400g) long-grain white rice
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz/400g) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups (475ml) chicken broth
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp saffron threads (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic in the pressure cooker until softened.
2. Add chicken, rice, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, ground cumin, paprika, saffron (if using), salt, and pepper.
3. Close the lid, set the pressure cooker to high pressure, and cook for 10 minutes.
4. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes before opening the cooker. Fluff the rice and serve.

Pressure Cooker Ropa Vieja:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs (900g) flank steak
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz/400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup (240ml) beef broth
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic in the pressure cooker until softened.
2. Add flank steak, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Close the lid, set the pressure cooker to high pressure, and cook for 45 minutes.
4. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes before opening the cooker. Shred the beef with forks and served over rice.

Pressure Cooker Black Bean Soup:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) dried black beans, soaked overnight and drained
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and carrots in the pressure cooker until softened.
2. Add soaked black beans, ground cumin, chili powder, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper.
3. Close the lid, set the pressure cooker to high pressure, and cook for 20 minutes.
4. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes before opening the cooker. Serve hot with toppings like sour cream and chopped cilantro.

Ready to put that pressure cooker to use? These three recipes won’t let you down. They will tempt you to visit Latin America and try all these dishes. Until then, we invite you to keep on traveling with your senses!